MONONGALIA COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE 74 Vandervort Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505    (304)598-0301 (304)598-5659-Fax BE ALERT-BE PREPARED-BE INVOLVED The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, (EPCRA), was signed October 17, 1986 as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-499).  In 1986, Congress enacted SARA Title III (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act) a section of EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act) requiring the Governor of each state to appoint a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).  Subsequently each SERC was required to appoint Planning Districts; West Virginia enacted 15-5A to mirror federal requirements.  Each LEPC was required to submit an emergency response plan to the SERC not later than October 1988.  LEPC's are composed of a minimum of 12 members representing the following areas: elected state and local officials, law enforcement, emergency management, fire service, health, local environmental, hospital, ambulance, transportation, broadcast/print media, community group, and owners/operators of facilities subject to EPCRA requirements.  EPCRA established requirements for federal, state, and local governments, and industry regarding emergency response planning, training, exercising, and community right-to-know information.                                                                                                                                                                                  Mission of the LEPC To collect and maintain information on hazardous or extremely hazardous materials being used in or passing through the LEPC To analyze associated risks, vulnerabilities, and develop an effective emergency plan To make information readily available to responders and the general public To provide a continuing forum for responders and citizens to discuss all hazards issues Goals & Objectives Define the degree of hazardous substances located in and moving through West Virginia Determine baseline hazmat trained response personnel & resources in West Virginia Evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response plans with respect to all hazards approach Promote chemical safety on the job, in the classroom and at home Determine at risk populations and safety measures needed                From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners, hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives.  Affecting urban, suburban and rural areas, hazardous materials incidents can range from a chemical spill on a highway to groundwater contamination by naturally occurring methane gas.       Hazardous materials are substances which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released.  Hazards can exist during production, storage, transportation, use or disposal.  Chemical plants are one source of hazardous materials, but there are many others.  Your local service station stores gasoline and diesel fuel -- hospitals store a range of radioactive and flammable materials, and there are about 30,000 hazardous materials waste sites in the country.      Federal laws enable local governments and interested citizens to become aware of possible hazardous material incidents and prepare for them.  The Monongalia County Local Emergency Planning Committee, consisting of local planners, industry and members of the community has the responsibility of identifying industrial hazardous materials and keeping the community informed of the potential risk.  The public is encouraged to participate in the process as well.       The Local Emergency Planning Committee was mandated by Congress to effectively implement the emergency planning provision of EPCRA [Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986].  Under the Federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act of 1986 [SARA Title III] owners of facilities, by law, must take certain actions regarding hazardous substances on their property.  The LEPC's responsibility is to act as guardian of these records and to develop emergency response plans that address accidents involving hazardous material emergencies.        In addition to its formal responsibilities, the LEPC serves as a focal point in the community for information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning and health/environmental risks.          The LEPC accomplishes its mission by coordinating with the Monongalia County Office of Emergency Management in their emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts.  This broad authority to do so is provided for under the West Virginia Code Chapter 15, Article 5.  Exercises dealing with events such as natural and technological disasters and terrorism are designed and conducted annually.  These exercises involve local jurisdictions, federal/state agencies, volunteer groups, utility companies and other key private-sector groups.  Intensive after-action reviews follow the exercises so that lessons learned can be incorporated into emergency plans.      Remember that chemicals provide great benefits to our society, but they are volatile and must be treated with respect and caution.  The covered facilities that operate within Monongalia County have emergency plans in place and train their staff in emergency response operations.  Contact the Local Emergency Planning Committee for more information.  We invite you to participate in our efforts to protect our friends and neighbors in Monongalia County ... spread the word, learn safety steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, develop a disaster plan.   LEPC Power Point Presentation            Monongalia County Office of Emergency Management  "Getting Ready - A Family Emergency  Guide"