The Chatham County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a federally mandated committee composed of:
- business and industry representatives
- emergency response groups (fire, medical and law enforcement, etc)
- community groups
- media
- hospitals
- environmental interest
- universities
- general public
The LEPC can assist you in obtaining chemical related information from industry in your neighborhood. Federal law requires LEPCs to establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for information. Chatham County Emergency Management has been designated as the official agency to serve as coordinator of this information.
Industry must provide three types of information to the LEPC, including:
- In case of an accidental release of certain chemicals, industry must immediately notify appropriate federal, state and local agencies, including the LEPC. Once submitted, release information is maintained on file with the LEPC.
- If business stores, uses or manufactures one of chemicals that the U.S. EPA considers extremely hazardous, they must report to the LEPC the amount, general location and hazards caused by that chemical's use or storage. Contact the Emergency Management Office for further information at 919-545-8186. Tier II reporting is conducted by the use of EPLAN online reporting system.
- Annually, the industry must submit to NC's State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and to the EPA. This inventory reports on the amounts of toxic chemicals they routinely emit into the air, water or ship off-site for treatment or disposal.
We encourage the business community, both large and small, to become involved in the LEPC. Our goal is to ensure a strong emergency preparedness program that guarantees the safety of all of our citizens. The LEPC meets at least annually, and the public is invited to attend.
