Local Emergency Planning Commissions

Emergency planning. Businesses that produce, use, or store hazardous substances must (a) submit material safety data sheets or the equivalent and (b) file annual inventory report forms to the appropriate local emergency planning commission. Those handling extremely hazardous substances are also required to submit a one-time notice to the state emergency response commission. 

Emergency notification of extremely hazardous substance release. A business that unintentionally releases a reportable quantity of an extremely hazardous substance must report that release to the state emergency planning commission and the local emergency planning commission. 

Report releases of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance to the state Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for each state likely to be affected. Also provide notice to the local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for any area affected by the release. 

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) A committee appointed by the state emergency response commission, as required by Title III of SARA, to formulate a comprehensive emergency plan. 

State Emergency Response Commission State commissions required under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) which designates emergency planning districts, and appoint local emergency planning committees and supervise and coordinate their activities. 

Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHSs) Emergency Planning EHS Release Notihcation (Notification to State Emergency Response Commission, Local Emergency Response Commission) and Follow-up Community Right-to-Know... 

There are two aspects to emergency communications the actual equipment used to communicate information about the incident and the types of communications or information-sharing required. The RCRA has specific requirements for the types of emergency communication equipment (alarm systems, phone or radio communications) that must be present. Under the EPCRA, facilities must provide information about their operations and substances used or stored on site when the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) or State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) requests it. If the facility uses or stores extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) in reportable quantities, it must appoint a representative to the LEPC. Several laws require that a copy of the ERP be made available to employees and... 

Tier I and Tier II. Title Ill s Section 311/312, Inventory Reporting, requires reporting any substance for which you have an MSDS and have had a minimum of 10,000 pounds at your facility on any given day in the previous calendar year. These reports are intended to furnish information to the community and the local emergency responders and are provided to the state, local, or county Emergency Planning Commission and the local fire department. There is a slight difference in the amount of information provided in the Tier I and Tier II reports most states now require the Tier II report, which is more comprehensive. 

Under EPCRA, state emergency planning commissions and local emergency planning councils must be formed. EPCRA ensures the documentation of quantity and location of hazardous materials present in excess of Toxic Substance Controls Act (TSCA) thresholds. SARA Title 111 information must be submitted to state and local (including fire) agencies under SARA Sections 312 and 313. 

The first request for information was originally designed to identify agencies which would be likely to fall under the provisions of SARA. Organizations subject to SARA are required to prepare certain inventory forms and make them available to (a) the appropriate local emergency planning committee, (b) the state emergency response commission, and (c) the fire department with jurisdiction over the facility. 

Steps to be taken if the materials is released or spilled. Do not touch spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside container. For large spills, dike spill for later disposal. Keep unnecessary people away. Isolate hazard area and deny entry. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 Section 304 requires that a release equal to or greater than the reportable quantity for this substance (1 pound) must be immediately reported to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the National Response Center (800) 424-8802 in Washington, DC metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. 

EPCRA requires facilities to notify State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) of releases of hazardous substances and extremely hazardous substances when the release equals or exceeds the RQ (EPCRA 304(a)). 

The National Response Center (NRC), State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) must be notified when there is a release of reportable quantity (RQ) of a hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance into the environment according to CERCLA and EPCRA. 

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