Local Emergency Planning Committees
Background
In May 1987, pursuant to Section 22a-601(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) designated local planning districts by notifying the Chief Elected Official in each municipality that each municipality was designated as a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Since that time, many municipalities have joined together to form regional emergency planning committees or may have even become inactive.
Roles and Responsibilities
The LEPC has many responsibilities, mandates, and deadlines. The SERC has adopted guidance for LEPCs Roles and Responsibilities (PDF). This guidance is designed to assist LEPCs in defining and/or clarifying their specific responsibilities as they relate to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). It should be noted that the federal and state mandates must be carried out either at the local level or at the regional level.
Revitalizing a LEPC
Many LEPCs may need assistance in revitalizing their committees. The SERC has published guidance that includes various forms such as invite letters, agenda formats and bylaw language to assist LEPCs in their revitalize efforts.
Regionalization
Since 1987, many municipalities have joined together to form regional emergency planning committees to utilize the regional committee as their LEPC. Currently, the SERC supports sixty-two (62) municipalities (PDF) organized into five (5) regional districts (PDF) and 107 local districts, refer to the Connecticut Regional and Local Emergency Planning Committee map (PDF). The SERC supports any efforts made towards LEPC regionalization and expects the Regional Chairperson to work with municipalities and their existing LEPC Chairs to ensure that all roles and responsibilities are met. The SERC recommends the LEPC Regional Boundary Policy (PDF) be taken into consideration for a LEPC to join a Regional Emergency Planning Committee.
LEPC Members
The SERC maintains the official LEPC Chairperson database (PDF) and provides this information to the public, industry, federal agencies, state agencies and other states. We will continue to update the list as new member names are provided to the SERC. If your town does not appear on this list, your municipality may not be active or has not provided the SERC with the information. The First Selectman, Town Manager, Town CEO is required to notify the SERC by providing written correspondence that identifies the names of the new members including their title, mailing address, phone and fax numbers. The official who submitted the names is notified of the SERC vote status and asked to pass along the information to the appropriate members. In addition, the Chairman of the LEPC is also notified of the vote. It is very important that LEPC memberships especially the Chairperson are kept current and that the SERC is kept apprised of all membership changes . The SERC has available a Notification of Change for LEPC Chairpersons' Contact Information Form.
LEPC members should work with regulated facilities, as well as the other emergency preparedness and response town officials, to ensure the town/city local emergency plan is compatible with their facility plan. In addition, the regulated facility shall provide the information obtained below from the activities to the LEPC, the Fire Department with jurisdiction over the facility, and the SERC. Regulated facilities are required to undertake and submit the following:
Funding Opportunities for LEPC
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) serves as the grant administrator for grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For further information about the SERC grant process, go to Grant Funding Opportunities for LEPC page.
Content Last Updated September 8, 2009
