Local Emergency Planning Commission

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) were established by the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.

The Rock Island County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a federally mandated committee with membership from business and industry; emergency response groups such as fire, medical and law enforcement; community groups; media; hospitals; environmental interest; universities; and the general public.

The mission of the LEPC is to effectively plan for emergencies involving hazardous materials. The LEPC is tasked with the responsibility for Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III Environmental Compliance; Hazardous Materials Management (HAZMAT) training and exercises; Site-Specific Chemical Planning Program and maintenance of the county-wide Hazardous Material Response Plan.

The primary responsibility of the LEPC is to receive information about hazardous substances from industry and to use this information to develop comprehensive site emergency plans to handle emergencies. It is also responsible for establishing procedures and programs which make it easy for citizens to understand and have access to the information that industry submits.

The LEPC can assist you in obtaining chemical-related information from industry in your neighborhood. Federal law requires LEPCs to establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for information. The Rock Island County Emergency Management Agency has been designated as the official agency to serve as coordinator of this information.