Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Meetings

• 3 p.m.
• Third Wednesday of each month
• Harford County Department of Emergency Services
  2220 Ady Road
  Forest Hill, MD 21050

Facility coordinators are encouraged to attend all Harford County Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings. Please call 410-638-4900 for additional information.

Commitment

The Harford County LEPC is strongly committed to the safety of Harford County's citizens by assuring proper resources and planning for environmental emergencies. The LEPC is an active group of emergency responders, planners, business representatives, health care providers, elected officials, citizens and media who work together to preserve our environment.

What is LEPC

On October 16, 1986, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was signed into law. Title III of this act is known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which gives emergency responders and community members the ability to find out what hazards are in their area. 

Prior knowledge of what chemicals are present and their potential effects allow community leaders and emergency responders to plan for emergencies. Title III mandated planning for chemical emergencies, which can reduce the time needed to respond and speed up containment and cleanup. With faster containment and clean-up environmental damage is decreased along with the cost associated with a chemical incident.

The governor of each state was required to appoint a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), which divided the state into Local Emergency Planning Districts (LEPD). An Local Emergency Planning Committee was appointed for each LEPD.

The LEPC had to have representatives from specific areas with knowledge and interests in environmental emergency planning.