General Information

General Information:

        In 1986 the United States Congress passed a law called the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, requiring every locality in the nation to form and maintain a Local Emergency Planning Committee (L E P C).  This group supports emergency planning for chemical hazards and provides local government and the public with information about possible chemical hazards.  LEPCs are made up of representatives of the following:

        The LEPC's initial task is to develop an emergency plan to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies.  The Environmental Protection Agencys list of extremely hazardous substances provides a focus for setting priorities in the planning efforts.  The act required plans to be developed and then reviewed, tested, and updated on an annual basis.  Because LEPC members represent the community, they are familiar with factors which affect public safety, such as the environment, and the economy of the community.  The expertise of the LEPC is essential as it continues to develop and update plans tailored to the needs of the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area.

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Emergency Plan:    

        The emergency plan includes the identify and location of hazardous materials, procedures for immediate response to a chemical accident, ways to notify the public about actions they must take, names of coordinators at plants/industrial sites, and schedules and plans for testing of the emergency plan.  The plan is available through public meetings and newspaper articles.

         The LEPC has other responsibilities besides developing an emergency response plan.  The LEPC receives information regarding emergency releases and spills. It also serves as a clearinghouse for information submitted by local facilities, and must make this information available to the public's interest. It must establish and publicize procedures for handling these requests.

         LEPCs have the authority to request additional information from facilities for their own planning purposes or on behalf of others.  LEPCs may visit facilities in their area to find out what they are doing to reduce hazards, prepare for accidents, and reduce hazardous inventories and releases.  LEPCs may take civil actions against facilities if they fail to provide the information required under the Act.

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Community Role in Chemical and Environmental Hazards         

        In addition to its formal responsibilities, the LEPC serves as a community focal point for information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and health and environmental risks.  Citizens will expect the LEPC to reply to questions about chemical hazards and risk management actions.  It can also anticipate questions about the extent and the health and environmental effects of routine toxic chemical releases.  Even though this information is not required by the law to be sent to LEPCs,  the EPA and states are working together to make sure this information is available at the local level.  Many companies are voluntarily providing local committees and other citizens with this information.  

         An LEPC can most effectively carry out its responsibilities as a community forum by taking steps to educate the public about chemical risks, and working with facilities to minimize those risks.  The value of the information provided by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act will be limited unless citizens are given the means to understand the information and its implications.  The LEPCs  ability to improve the safety and health of its community will be greatly enhanced by the support of an informed and active citizen base.

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Membership/Representation           

        In short, LEPC members are your co-workers, friends and neighbors, who prepare for emergencies that may pose health and safety hazards to the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.  Such emergencies include releases of hazardous chemicals from any of the facilities in the city, county or from the thousands of trucks and rail cars that travel through the city and/or county. They also include preparation for natural disasters such as severe storms.

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Meetings

        The local LEPC meets every two months to discuss response plans and conduct the business of the LEPC. The committee participates in drills and works to find ways to improve safety and aid law enforcement and emergency response  agencies.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
Harrisonburg/Rockingham Local Emergency Planning Committee
H/R LEPC/JMU
MSC 4102
800 S. Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-6241
Contact Person: Cindi Wilson
Web Address: http://www.jmu.edu/lepc 

JMU - BIS Degree in Emergency Management
Individuals engaged in an emergency management career may be able to complete a Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) degree in Emergency Management at James Madison University under the supervision of Dr. Steven Frysinger (frysinsp@jmu.edu). For more information about the BIS program visit this web site.

 

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