The State Emergency Response Commission's (SERC) mission is to carry out duties as required under federal Public Law 99-499, Superfund Amendments and Preauthorization Act of 1986, commonly known as Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA) or SARA Title III and Connecticut General Statutes, Section 22a-600 through 22a-611, as amended.  EPCRA creates a network for emergency planning and ensures that the public has access to the community information and resources necessary to prepare for and protect themselves from releases of hazardous or toxic substances.

The SERC membership is comprised of individuals who represent the interests of state and local government, emergency services, industry, and the environment.  The SERC operates within the structure of its Bylaws (PDF, 84K). 

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) manages chemical information and notifications from facilities that use or store hazardous chemicals, or that experience an emergency release of a hazardous substance.  In addition, the DEP provides technical and administrative support to the SERC.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) is delegated the authority (CT General Statutes, Section 22a-603) to implement the state emergency planning activities required under the EPCRA.  The mission of the DEMHS is to direct and coordinate all available resources to protect the life and property of the citizens of Connecticut in the envent of a disaster or crisis, through a collaborative program of prevention, planning preparedness, response, recovery, and public education.   

The SERC enters into Memoranda of Agreement with the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, which has the expertise to perform the necessary training of emergency responders consitent with the number of training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

For further information, please refer to the SERC Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know presentation (PDF, 536K) or contact the SERC Administrator by phone at 860-424-3373 or by email.

Content Last Updated on March 20, 2008