Local Emergency Planning Committee

Origins

Several large chemical accidents around the globe prompted The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) to be passed in 1986.  The Act provides for comprehensive chemical emergency preparedness and response.  Local fire departments, industries, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) and the State Emergency Planning Commission (SERC) coordinate efforts to help industries and communities plan preparedness and response actions related to potential chemical emergencies.  The LEPC is instrumental in fulfilling the purpose of the EPCRA law to increase the protection of the community from chemicals that are produced, used, stored, or transported in and out of the county.

Organization

The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3750 “Emergency Planning” defines the LEPC and outlines its responsibilities.  Many different organizations, agencies, industries, and other groups are represented by members in the LEPC.  The Shelby County LEPC is comprised of at least one representative from the following entities: Fire, Law Enforcement, Elected Official, Emergency Management, First Aid/EMS, Health Department, Environmental, Hospital, Transportation, Community Groups, and Industry. In addition, three Public at Large members may be included.  Members are responsible to bring information from the LEPC to their organization and provide feedback from their organization to the LEPC.

Committees

The Shelby County LEPC is comprised of the following sub-committees:

• Executive
• Financial & Grants
• Public Information & Education
• Planning
• Training and Exercise
• Hazard Analysis
• Administrative, Compliance & Enforcement

Every year, the Shelby County LEPC develops and submits a county-wide chemical emergency response and preparedness plan or updates to the plan to the Ohio SERC for review and concurrence.  An exercise of the plan must be conducted annually.

Although the main emphasis of the LEPC is related to chemical emergency preparedness and response, the committee is also involved in other relevant issues of emergency preparation.

The Shelby County LEPC meets six times a year, on the fourth Tuesday of every other odd numbered month (January, March, May, July, September, and November) at 8:00 am Sub-committees meet ½ hour prior to the main meeting.  All meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Minutes

Membership