Local Emergency Planning Committee

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Establishment and Introduction 

  The 1984 toxic gas disaster in Bhopal, India focused worldwide attention on the possibility that accidents at facilities handling hazardous chemicals could harm neighboring communities. In the United States, federal, state, and local governments responded with laws to improve accident prevention and emergency response planning activities by chemical-handling facilities and local governments. These laws also increase public access to information ("Right-to-Know") about the storage and use of hazardous chemicals.

 The Jennings County Local Emergency Planning Committee is a State entity created pursuant to SARA Title III (Superfund Amendments and Re authorization Act), known as the "Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986" (EPCRA). The legislative requirement of the Committee is to implement SARA Title III in Indiana, but the broader and more comprehensive purpose is to enhance public health, safety, and environmental protection in Jennings County. 

 Title III introduced a new relationship among governments at all levels, the private sector, public organizations, and the general public. Each group has a different, but equally important role in making emergency planning and community Right-to-Know provisions of the law which will be of unlimited value to the community. 

 At the very heart of this effort to ensure public safety lies a responsibility which everyone shares...establishing and maintaining two-way communication. In other words, our state and its counties need support to implement the law; industry needs to understand how and when to comply; the public needs to be aware of the kinds of information available and what it might mean to them. Within each area is a role to be played. The federal role is to provide national leadership, guidance, technical assistance, access to data about chemical releases, and training through the states. Indiana, through the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), provides leadership to ensure that an emergency planning and implementation structure is developed and to provide training and technical assistance to its communities. The local role is the work our LEPC does in actually carrying out emergency planning, Community Right-to-Know, and response function. Industry complies with Title III reporting requirements and can get involved by increasing their awareness and understanding of chemical risks and supporting actions to increase public safety and protection of chemical risks and protection of the environment.

 The integration of these roles is tested during hazardous materials emergency response training exercises. Safety and efficiency is the desired process and improved communication and coordination will be the desired outcome. The desired overall result will be improved preparedness and a potentially safer community. Population

Population

 Jennings County is located in southeastern Indiana. According to Stats Indiana, in 2005 there were 28,427 people in Jennings County. In 2000, there were 10,134 households in the county. The major employers by industry sector in the county are services, retail trade, manufacturing, government, and construction. The county has a land area of 377.2 square miles. The major transportation routes through Jennings County: U.S. 50 and State Roads 3 & 7. 

Emergency Plan 

  The LEPCs initial task is to develop an emergency plan to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. EPA's list of extremely hazardous substances may provide a focus for setting priorities in the planning effort. When the plan is completed, it must be reviewed annually, tested, and updated. Because the LEPC's members represent the community, they should be familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the economy of the community. That expertise will be essential as the LEPC develops a plan tailored to the needs of its planning district.

 An emergency plan must include the identity and location of hazardous materials, procedures for immediate response to a chemical accident; ways to notify the public about actions they must take; names of coordinators at plants; and schedules and plans for testing the plan. Once the plan is written, the SERC must review it. The LEPC must publicize the plan through the public meetings or newspaper announcements, get public comments, and periodically test the plan by conducting emergency drills. The LEPC must also update the plan at least annually and let the public know of its activities.

 Other Responsibilities The LEPC has other responsibilities besides developing an emergency response plan. It receives emergency releases and hazardous chemical inventory information submitted by local facilities, and must make this information available to the public upon request. It must establish and publicize procedures for handling these requests.

 LEPCs have the authority to request additional information from facilities for their own planning purposes or on behalf of others. LEPCs may want to visit facilities in the community to find out what they are doing to reduce hazards, prepare for accidents, and reduce hazardous inventories and releases. LEPCs can take civil actions against facilities if they fail to provide the information required under the Act. In addition to its formal responsibilities, the LEPC serves as a focal point in the community for information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and health and environmental risks. Citizens will expect the LEPC to reply to questions about chemical hazards and risk management actions. It can also anticipate questions about the extent and the health and environmental effects of routine toxic chemical releases. Even though this information is not required by the law to be sent to LEPCs, EPA and the states are working together to ensure this information is available at the local level. Many companies are voluntarily providing local committees and other citizens with this information. An LEPC can most effectively carry out its responsibilities as a community forum by taking steps to educate the public about chemical risks, and working with facilities to minimize those risks. The value of the information provided by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act will be limited unless citizens are given the means to understand the information and it implications. The LEPC's ability to improve the safety and health of its community will be greatly enhanced by the support of an informed and active citizenry. good place to show off who’s occupying the corner offices. Write a nice bio about each executive that includes what they do, how long they’ve been at it, and what got them to where they are.

 If a facility produces, uses, or stores one or more hazardous chemicals it must immediately notify the LEPC and the SERC if there is a release of a listed hazardous substance that exceeds the reportable quantity for the substance.

 ** The initial notification of a release should be made to Jennings County 911** 

 The following information must be provided:      

• Reporting agent Name
• Telephone / Mobile Number / Radio & Call Sign
• Location & type of incident (ground, water, air)
• Substance / Chemical(s) involved, if known. 

                         Indicate if Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS)

•  Physical form of material (solid, liquid, gas).
•  Quantity released.  
•  Time / Duration of release. (DTG)
•  Known or anticipated health risks
•  Medical advice for exposed personnel
•  Recommended precautions to include: evacuation distance if appropriate
• Actions taken (Police, Fire, EMS, and EMA Community Emergency Coordinator called)
• Status of injured

 To report an incident to the State of Indiana, call the Indiana Department of Environmental Management 24hr Spill Line at (888) 233-7745.  For immediate technical advice, call the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC).  ** The State and LEPC must be notified. ** 

First:      

Go indoors and listen to local radio or TV for instructions. Stay inside unless you are told you can leave.  If you are in a vehicle, close windows and air systems.

Shelter in Place:  

• Close all windows in your home
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems
• Close the fireplace damper
• Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors     Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit with you
• Wet some towels and jam them in the crack under the doors. Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents
• Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets and heat registers

Imminent Explosion: 

  Close the window shades, blinds, or curtains. To avoid injury, stay away from windows.  Stay in the room and listen to your radio until you are told all is safe or told to evacuate.  

Evacuation is Ordered by Authorities:      Stay calm, gather what you and your family will need. Take such essential items as medicine, baby supplies, driver's license, checkbook.  Don't forget about your pets.  Keep car windows and air vents closed.     Police officers along route will direct you.