The Marion County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is responsible for carrying out the duties outlined in the Emergency Planning and Community Right‐to‐Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) for Marion County, Indiana. As prescribed under Section 301 of EPCRA, the LEPC includes representatives from the following groups or organizations: elected state or local officials, law enforcement, emergency management personnel, firefighting, emergency medical personnel, health officials, local environmental groups, hospital personnel, transportation personnel, broadcast/print media, community groups, and owners and operators of covered facilities.
The LEPC has a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer. The LEPC also has a Planning Coordinator and an Information Coordinator. The Information Coordinator’s job is to process requests from the public for information under Section 324, including Tier II information under Section 312. The Information Coordinator also serves as the LEPC secretary.
The LEPC facilitates partnerships between local government organizations and businesses and serves as a resource for enhancing hazardous materials preparedness. Local government is responsible for the integration of hazmat planning and response within their jurisdiction. This includes ensuring the local hazard analysis adequately addresses HAZMAT incidents; incorporating planning for HAZMAT incidents into the local emergency plan and annexes; assessing capabilities and developing hazmat response capability using local resources, mutual aid, and contractors; training responders; and exercising the County hazmat plan.
Because the membership comes from the county and is familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the economy of the community, the LEPC is crucial to local HAZMAT planning and community right to-know programs. In addition to its formal duties, the LEPC serves as a focal point in the community for information and discussion about hazardous substance emergency planning, and health and environmental risks. Citizens may expect the LEPC to reply to questions about chemical hazards and risk management actions.