Local Emergency Planning Committee
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act , Local or Tribal Emergency Planning Committees must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens.
As per New Jersey Executive Order #284, facilities with extremely hazardous substances over the threshold planning quantity must participate in the local emergency planning process through the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and provide necessary information which supports this committee.
The LEPC was formed as a result of the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. Its purpose is to provide citizens and emergency responders with information about chemicals in Monmouth County. The law requires communities to plan for chemical emergencies and establish a chain of command using the National Incident Management System to make sure requirements are met. The LEPC is part of the NIMS chain of command.
Responsibilities of this LEPC committee include:
- Two meetings a year that include representation of all stakeholder groups as well as opening the meeting up to the public and local media.
- Develop an emergency response plan (off-site ERP) for their community/district.
- Establish procedures for receiving reports from facilities.
- Complete (off-site) ERPs and review/exercise them annually
- Provide public access to review (off-site) ERPs. All requests for access to view, please follow the proper procedures regarding OPRA Requests.
- Personnel from industries, community organizations and government agencies work hand-in-hand to share information and training opportunities to better prepare for emergency situations.
- If you have any questions regarding the LEPC, please feel free to email OEM@mcsonj.orgfor more information.
Plans are developed by these emergency planning committees with stakeholder participation. There is one emergency planning committee for each of the more than 3,000 designated local and tribal emergency planning districts.
The emergency planning committee membership must include (at a minimum):
- Elected state, local, and tribal officials;
- Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals;
- Environmental, transportation, and hospital officials;
- Facility representatives; and
- Representatives from community groups and the media.
Required elements of Community Emergency Response Plan:
- Identification of facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances.
- Description of emergency response procedures, on and off site.
- Designation of a community coordinator and facility emergency coordinator(s) to implement the plan.
- Outline of emergency notification procedures.
- Description of how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases.
- Description of local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them.
- Outline of evacuation plans.
- A training program for emergency responders (including schedules).
- Methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans.
State Emergency Response Commission:
Title III requires that the governor of each State designate a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). This commission generally includes representatives of public agencies and departments with expertise in environmental issues, natural resources, emergency services, public health, occupational safety, and transportation. Various public and private sector groups and associations with an interest in Title III issues may also be included in the State commission.
The SERC designates local emergency planning districts and appoints Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) within each of these districts. The SERC is responsible for supervising and coordinating the activities of the LEPCs, for establishing procedures for receiving and processing public requests for information collected under other sections of Title III, and for reviewing plans generated by the LEPCs.
The LEPC’s primary responsibility is to develop a local emergency response plan:
Each LEPC is expected to include elected State and local officials; police, fire, civil defense, public health, environmental, hospital, and transportation officials; representatives of facilities subject to the emergency planning requirements; community groups; and the media. Public notice is given of meetings and activities, and procedures are established for handling public requests for information.
Local emergency response plan:
The LEPC is responsible for developing and maintaining a local emergency response plan that will ensure a quick and effective response to a chemical emergency. These plans provide a range of information to facilitate an effective and efficient course of action if a chemical release were to occur. Issues such as which facilities use chemicals, where the chemicals are stored, and what routes are the quickest for first responders and evacuation are addressed by the emergency plan.
SERC is responsible for coordinating emergency plans among districts:
Delegating this responsibility to the LEPC ensures that communities will develop personalized, need-specific, and effective emergency plans. Many LEPCs contact neighboring LEPCs to coordinate procedures and resources to ensure the most effective emergency response. Ultimately, the SERC is responsible for coordinating emergency plans among districts.
EPA suggests that LEPCs test their plans to ensure effectiveness:
Developing the emergency plan is a continuing process. The reporting requirements of Title III are ongoing and provide LEPCs with up-to-date information about chemical hazards. The LEPC must review the plan at least annually, or more frequently as changed circumstances in the community or at any facility may require. Furthermore, EPA suggests that LEPCs test their plans to ensure effectiveness.
Community actively involved in the emergency planning process:
The LEPC must make information and submitted reports publicly available during normal business hours. The LEPC must also notify the public of the availability of Title III information, such as the emergency plan, activities, and meetings, and provide opportunities for public comment. Getting the community actively involved in the emergency planning process offers several benefits: greater community awareness of the local emergency plan, development of an emergency plan that accurately addresses the community’s needs and concerns, and active involvement by the community, which may serve as a catalyst for increased funding by local government entities.
Strategies for preventing or mitigating chemical emergencies:
In developing their plans, local committees analyze local risks and evaluate resources available to their area that could help them to prepare for and respond to a hazardous materials accident. A progressive LEPC may also consider strategies for preventing or mitigating chemical emergencies—that is, identifying ways to keep emergencies from happening, or of making their consequences less severe.
The contingency plan generated by the LEPC must include a list of hazardous materials facilities and the routes they use to transport listed materials, emergency response procedures, and evacuation plans. It is reviewed by the SERC and updated annually by the LEPC. Emergency plans must focus on the list of extremely hazardous substances published by the EPA, but they are not limited to this list. Any facility that uses these substances in excess of specified “threshold” quantities is subject to emergency planning requirements.
Mitigation
Mitigation refers to activities that actually eliminate or reduce the chance of occurrence or the effects of a disaster. Recent research has shown that much can be done to either prevent major emergencies or disasters from ever happening or if nothing else, at least reduce the damaging impact if they cannot be prevented.
Preparedness
The planning of how to respond in case an emergency or disaster occurs and working to increase resources available to respond effectively. Preparedness activities are designed to help save lives and minimize damage by preparing people to respond appropriately when an emergency is imminent. To respond properly, Gloucester County must have a plan for response, trained personnel to respond and necessary resources with which to respond.
Response
Response is the activities occurring during and immediately after a disaster. These activities are designed to provide emergency assistance to victims of the event and reduce the likely hood of secondary damage. Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, Gloucester County Police, and Local Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Service providers are primary responders.
Recovery
This is the final phase of the emergency management cycle. Recovery continues until all systems return to normal or near normal. Short term recovery returns vital life support systems to minimal operating standards. Long term recovery from a disaster may go on for years until the entire disaster area is completely redeveloped, either as it was in the past or for entirely new purposes that are less disaster-prone.
New Jersey SERC Contacts:
Website: http://ready.nj.gov/serc/index.shtml
Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Director (SERC Co-Chair)
State Office of Emergency Management
Box 7068
River Road
West Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: 609-882-2000
Email: njserc@njsp.gov
Emergency Management Email: njeoc@njsp.gov
Robert Van Fossen (SERC Co-Chair)
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Emergency Management
(Mail Code: 440-03A)
440 East State Street
3rd floor
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: 609-633-2168
Email: Robert Van Fossen (robert.vanfossen@dep.nj.gov)
Mitzi Kaiura (SERC Co-chair Alternate)
NJDEP Emergency Management
Phone: 609-633-2168
Email: Mitzi Kaiura (Mitzi.Kaiura@dep.nj.gov)
NJDEP Right-to-Know Program
Phone: 609-292-6714
Website: https://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/rtk.html
Monmouth County Contacts:
Website: mcsonj.org
Scott Nielsen
Emergency Management Coordinator
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
2500 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
Office: 732-431-6400 x1801
Email: SNielsen@mcsonj.org
www.mcsonj.org
Christopher Merkel
Public Health Coordinator
Monmouth County Department of Health
50 East Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone- 732-431-7456 x 8580
Fax- 732-409-7579
Email: Christopher Merkel
(Christopher.merkel@co.monmouth.nj.us)