Fire, Police, and Emergency Response

Many types of inappropriate and mismanaged chemicals are present in K-12 schools. These potentially harmful chemicals can be found in the science laboratories, art classrooms, maintenance areas, vocational shops, and nurses' offices. Mismanaged chemicals pose risks such as:

Explosion;
Personal Injuries;
Fire;
Health (chronic or acute);
Environmental Harm; and
Property Damage

As part of the fire department, police department, or emergency services, you work to protect your community. You can further protect your community by preventing accidents and reducing the risks posed by mismanaged chemicals. Support your local schools' efforts to improve their chemical management:

Learn about chemical risks in schools;

Establish effective communication with the schools or school districts in your community;

Provide schools/school districts with information on fire codes and identifying applicable requirements regarding chemical use, storage, and disposal. This information could be conveyed through periodic walkthroughs;

Offer training or guidance on responsible chemical management;

Work with schools to identify potentially harmful and dangerous situations related to the use and storage of chemicals;

Assist with the handling of dangerous chemicals; and

Help develop school-specific chemical management and emergency response plans.

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)

LEPCs provide a forum for emergency management agencies, responders, industry and the public to work together to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans, and always look for ways to prevent chemical accidents. To find the LEPC contact in your community, use the LEPC database.

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Fire, Police, and Emergency Response

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)

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