Community Resources
Local Emergency Planning Committees
In 1986, Congress passed the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Title III of this legislation requires that each community establish a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to be responsible for developing an emergency plan for preparing for and responding to chemical emergencies in that community.
This emergency plan must include the following:
- an identification of local facilities and transportation routes where hazardous material are present;
- the procedures for immediate response in case of an accident (this must include a community-wide evacuation plan);
- a plan for notifying the community that an incident has occurred;
- the names of response coordinators at local facilities;
- and a plan for conducting exercises to test the plan.
The plan is reviewed by the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and publicized throughout the community. The LEPC is required to review, test, and update the plan each year.
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires that detailed information about hazardous substances in or near communities be available at the public's request. The law provides stiff penalties for companies that fail to comply and allows citizens to file lawsuits against companies and government agencies to force them to obey the law.
Last Modified: Thursday, 06-Apr-2006 10:08:04 EDT