How it Started

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How it started:

In 1986, congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) in response to concerns about the state of local preparedness for hazardous material releases and the need for responders to have up to date information on hazardous chemicals in their community. This set the stage for creation of state emergency response commissions (SERC’s).

Created on August 4, 1987 under the authority of WV Code 15-5A-7. The state emergency response commission designates emergency planning districts to prepare and implement emergency plans and shall appoint members of the local community on the emergency planning committee. Membership includes: elected state and local officials; law enforcement, civil defense, fire fighting, first aid, health, local environmental, hospital and transportation personnel; broadcast and print media; community groups and owners and operators of facilities subject to requirements of the Code. Either the president of the County Commission or their designee shall also be appointed to the committee. The duty of the Commission is to prepare and submit an emergency response plan to the state emergency response commission among other duties. This is handled through the Office of Emergency Services.

What is an LEPC?

The LEPC is not a response organization. The focus is to bring community members, public and private organizations, and first responders together to ensure that there are plans in place for a hazardous material release and that these plans are up to date, have been tested, and have been reviewed and distributed to community responders.

The LEPC is also responsible for ensuring that facilities in the community prepare and submit their site safety plans and provide information on the quantity and types of hazardous chemicals they have.

Bylaws

Will have our current set of LEPC bylaws (reviewed/updated yearly)

LEPC Officers

Current list of elected LEPC officials (updated yearly)

Chair: Joseph Klass

Co-Chair: Michael Fortney

Recorder/Secretary: Pam Farley

Agenda/Meeting Minutes (updated 4-5 times a year)

Calendar of meetings/trainings (updated every month or two)