Local Emergency Planning Committee
The federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) establishes Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts. EPCRA’s intent is to (1) encourage and support emergency planning for responding to chemical accidents and (2) provide local governments and the public with information about possible chemical hazards in their communities. Each LEPC must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):
- Elected state and local officials
- Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
- Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
- Facility representatives
- Representatives from community groups and the media