The West Baton Rouge Local Emergency Planning Committee was formed in 1986 as a result of Federal Law. This law is known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right -to-Know Act also known as Sara Title III. This law required that communities around the country set up Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) to develop plans for responding to chemical emergencies. The law also requires certain manufacturing and other facilities to submit information about the chemicals they use store and emit into the environment. Under EPCRA, you are guaranteed the right to information on chemicals in your area. That is where the LEPC comes into the picture and plays one of its most important roles. EPRCA is based the on the idea of working partnerships. All parts of the community join forces to ensure "Right-To-Know."

 

Each LEPC must include, at a minimum state and local officials, police, fire emergency preparedness, public health officials, as well as representatives of facilities subject to the emergency planning requirements , community groups and the media. The LEPC must establish rules , give public access and establish procedures for handling public requests for information. Additionally,the LEPC must designate an emergency coordinator to receive emergency release notifications. The LEPC's primary responsibility is to develop an emergency response plan . In developing this plan, available recourses are evaluated for preparing for and responding to a potential chemical accident. Our LEPC takes these responsibilities a step further and plans for all emergencies man-made or natural.

THE LEPC MEETS THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT THE PORT ALLEN FIRE STATION 2 at 11 am.