GET INVOLVED! Cont.

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC).

A committee required by the Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act (SARA), LEPC is made up of representatives from government, industry, elected officials, environmental groups and others. This committee reports to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Businesses using or generating certain quantities of materials on the EPA's Extremely Hazardous Substance list must report to the LEPC and their local fire departments. Any business which uses, manufactures, stores or transports hazardous materials is required to have procedures for safe handling of these materials as well as emergency response procedures. The Hazardous Materials Section of the Utah State Fire Marshal's Office is an active participant in the LEPC's throughout the state. Fire departments and other response agencies are also required to have procedures for unexpected or uncontrolled hazardous material spills. Many solids, gasses, liquids used in the production of fuels, medicines, plastics, and other products and processes in our communities are classified as hazardous. Hazardous materials are used stored and transported daily throughout Utah. Under most circumstances, these materials are handled safely, However, when improperly handled, disposed of or released, these substances can become hazardous to people and the environment necessitating coordinated planning for emergencies. The Haz Mat Section of the State Fire Marshal's Office provides Haz Mat training, at no cost to the response community for just such an emergency. Many of the LEPC's statewide have evolved into an "all hazards" planning group. The Department of Public Safety's, Division of homeland Security has become a very important part of the planning efforts of the LEPC's. They have worked with and built upon the plans initially used for hazardous materials response and created useful all hazards plans.

24-Hour "Haz Mat Help Line" 801.256.2499


The above information is also found on our Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness handout.