Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation. There is one LEPC for each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):

• Elected state and local officials
• Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
• Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
• Facility representatives
• Representatives from community groups and the media

To find your LEPC, please contact your State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).

In 2008, EPA conducted a Nationwide Survey of Local Emergency Planning Committees to track the progress of LEPCs and probe current LEPC practices and preferences.

How LEPCs can measure their effectiveness?

• Measuring Progress in Chemical Safety: A Guide for Local Emergency Planning Committees and Similar Groups

What are the required elements of a community emergency response plan?

• Identification of facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances
• Description of emergency response procedures, on and off site
• Designation of a community coordinator and facility emergency coordinator(s) to implement the plan
• Outline of emergency notification procedures
• Description of how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases
• Description of local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them
• Outline of evacuation plans
• A training program for emergency responders (including schedules)
• Methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans

Where can I get more information?

• Emerging Risks Response Awareness Training: Local Emergency Planning Committee/Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (2018)
• For more information on local emergency planning, see EPCRA sections 301-303 (42 USC 11001, 11002(2 pp, 124 K, About PDF), 11003(2 pp, 124 K, About PDF)) or 40 CFR part 355(20 pp, 306 K, About PDF).
• For tribal information, see Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention in Indian Country.
• For more information on state and local EPCRA implementation, visit the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO). Exit
• Energize Your Local Emergency Planning Committee