Cloud County LEPC works to enhance disaster preparedness

The Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) is a product of federal legislation that was passed after the Bhopal disaster in India on December 2, 1984, where thousands of people died because of an accidental release of a hazardous chemical from a Union Carbide plant.
In 1986 Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III).
The legislation is intended to enhance community preparedness for disasters and hazardous materials incidents and make sure local, state, and federal agencies work together to protect citizens.
When Congress enacted EPCRA, it became a federal law that required the governor of each state to establish a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and for SERC to designate Emergency Planning Districts (EPDs) within each state. The EPDs then appoint a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each district.
In Kansas, each county is considered an EPD; thus Cloud County has a LEPC. Members of the LEPC must meet the criteria established by EPCRA, and are nominated by the Cloud County commission. EPCRA approves the nominations.
Federal law mandates that each LEPC shall include either a local or state-elected official; law enforcement; firefighting; emergency management; health and hospital personnel; print/broadcast media; transportation; emergency medical service; a local environmental group; a community/service/civic group; a facility owners/operators regulated by SARA Title III; and an information director.
LEPCs work to understand the hazards in the local community, develop emergency plans in case of a accidental release of hazardous material or natural disaster, and look for ways to prevent accidents. The LEPC is charged with enhancing all-hazards preparedness between citizens, local governments, and industry.
James Quillen is the new Cloud County Emergency Preparedness Director, and will officially assume his duties on February 24, 2020.
"We're in good shape," said Allen Charbonneau, Cloud County LEPC president, and the District 4 Fire Chief. "We always work to improve communication between the various groups, and familiarize everyone with their duties."