Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
Why is there an LEPC?
Local Emergency Planning Committees
are a requirement of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986, otherwise known as SARA Title III.
SARA Title III and the Ohio Revised Code,
Chapter 3750, set up a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for the
state of Ohio and OR (:3750.03 requires each state to designate Local Emergency
Planning Districts (LEPDs). In Ohio, each LEPD is a county and must set up a Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Therefore, in Ohio, there are eighty-seven
(87) LEPDs/LEPCs.
Who is a member of the LEPC?
LEPCs are a group of individuals that are nominated by the County Commisioners
and approved by the SERC. LEPC members are volunteers and serve a two-year (2)
term of office. They are reappointed during the odd numbered years. The
membership of an LEPC must include, without limitation, personnel from each of
these groups:
•
Elected State and Local Officials
•
Law Enforcement
•
Emergency Management
•
Firefighting
•
First Aid
•
Health
•
Local Environmental
•
Hospital
•
Transportation
•
Broadcast/Print Media
•
Community Groups
•
Facilities Subject to ORC, Chapter 3750
The LEPC is the entity in the county responsible for receiving all information and
industry reportes pertaining to extremely hazardous substances in the county. The
LEPC writes the LEPC (County) Chemical Emergency Response and Preparedness
Plan, and exercises that plan annually to ensure the county is prepared to respond to
and handle a chemical release while protecting its citizenry. The LEPC receives all
notices and follow-up notices on hazardous substance releases. The LEPC also
establishes and carries out a program to monitor regulated facilities in the district and
conduct compliance and enforcement activities to ensure facilities are complying with
ORC 3750.
All LEPC members are nominated by County Commissioners. They are considered
to be County Boards and are entitled to assistance and representation by the County
Prosecutor and Auditor.
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