Local Emergency Planning Committee

Local Emergency Planning Committees are part of a Federally legislated process to help manage hazardous material incident reporting and hazardous material preparedness throughout Yavapai County. The United States Congress initiated this legislation in 1986 after a disaster in Bhopal, India where thousands of people died from a chemical accident. To prevent similar incidents in any of our communities, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) – also known as SARA Title III. This process establishes requirements for private companies and all levels of government to collaborate for emergency planning and reporting of hazardous material use in local communities.

The LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) is the link for any hazardous materials incident between citizens, industry members and the government. The membership is formed by local area residents representing public safety, the environment, and the economy.

More specifically, the five voting segments of this committee include as a minimum:

• Elected State and Local Officials
• Civil Defense, Firefighting, First Aid, Health, Local Environmental, Hospital and Transportation Personnel
• Broadcast and Print Media
• Community Groups (HOA’s, Faith Based Groups, Community Based Groups, etc.)
• Owners and Operators of Facilities Subject to the Requirements of EPCRA

Primary functions of this committee include reviewing plans for facilities who report hazardous materials to the Arizona State Emergency Response Commission (Facilities who Conduct Business with Regulated Hazardous Materials) and helping establish relationships to maintain transparency before a hazardous material incident occurs.