What is the LEPC?
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is an organization established to meet the requirements of the federal Emergency Planning arid Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III), for emergency response planning. EPCRA contains four major provisions:
- Planning for chemical emergency
- Emergency notification of chemical accidents and releases
- Reporting of hazardous chemical inventories (Tier Two Reports)
- Toxic chemical release reporting
What Does The LEPC Do?
Under EPCRA, the LEPC is the focal point for chemical emergency response planning and implementation in the community. The LEPC's key responsibilities are:
Assisting local governments in developing hazardous materials emergency response plans
Evaluating the community's need for resources to respond to hazardous materials emergencies
Processing requests from the public for information on hazardous chemicals in the community hazard assessment and vulnerability studies as well as exercising.
The LEPC provides a forum for emergency management agencies, emergency responders, industry and the public to work together to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in the event of an accidental release and identify ways to prevent chemical accidents.
The LEPC exists to promote and facilitate the safety of all persons regarding potential exposure to hazardous materials that could be released into the environment due to the storage, transportation, and utilization of hazardous materials in Clatsop County.
What Are The Activities of The LEPC?
- The LEPC assists with the preparation and implementation of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan.
- The LEPC receives annual Tier Two Reports (chemical inventories). The LEPC must make information from these reports available, to the public, upon request. The LEPC may also request additional hazardous chemical information from facilities for emergency planning purposes.
- The LEPC promotes hazardous material exercises and drills to improve response preparedness.
- The LEPC serves as the link between citizens, industry, and government in emergency planning and preparedness for the community.
Who Participates in the LEPC?
The Clatsop County LEPC is comprised of representatives from Clatsop County, cities, military, hospitals, local industry, health and medical agencies, fire, EMS, and concerned citizens.
What Does The LEPC Promote?
The Clatsop County LEPC promotes, emergency planning, preparedness, and public awareness, to protect the community from the potential impact of natural or technological hazards, including hazardous chemical and substances and related disasters.
When Does The LEPC Meet?
The Clatsop County LEPC meets on a quarterly or as-needed basis, and the meeting times are posted on the County website.