What Does
Local Emergency Planning Committee Mean?
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are responsible for developing emergency response plans, conducting annual reviews of these plans, and keeping citizens informed about hazardous materials (HAZMAT) operations in the community. Committee members are appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the governing body of the county and include state officials, business representatives, and members of the press.
LEPCs are established to meet the requirements of the the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986.
Safeopedia Explains Local Emergency Planning Committee
Following the tragic Bhopal Disaster in India, Congress passed the EPCRA, also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), in 1986. EPCRA established emergency planning requirements and community right-to-know reporting for hazardous materials. The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) establishes guidelines to assist LEPCs in meeting their responsibilities related to the EPCRA.
LEPC Members
The members of the LEPC are selected from a list of nominees and appointed by the director of the emergency management agency. Each committee must include one person from the following categories:
- State or local officials
- Law enforcement
- First responders
- Emergency management
- Health
- Broadcast or communications media
- Print media
- Emergency medical services
- Transportation
- Local environmental groups
- Community groups
- Facility owners or operators
- Others (e.g. residents, school administrators, teachers)
Responsibilities of the LEPC
LEPCs have four primary responsibilities:
- Preparing emergency response plans to protect the community in the event of a hazardous materials incident
- Establishing emergency warning and evacuation procedures
- Collecting information about the release of toxic chemicals
- Providing information about hazardous materials and accidental releases to the local government and the community
Responsibilities of Regulated Facilities
Regulated facilities are those that store chemicals designated as extremely hazardous in excess of the threshold planning quantity outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Regulated facilities are responsible for:
- Appointing an emergency coordinator
- Reporting HAZMAT inventories to the LEPC, SERC, and the local fire department
- Providing a list of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Allowing the local fire department to conduct on-site inspections
- Providing annual reports of released toxic chemicals to the EPA and the state
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