Local Emergency Planning Committees

In response to emergency incidents involving hazardous materials, the U.S. Congress passed the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in 1986. Title III of SARA is a free standing statute known as Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). This act created the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and a network of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).

Delaware’s Local Emergency Planning Committees

Delaware has four Local Emergency Planning Committees, one for each county and the City of Wilmington. The State Emergency Response Commission approves their membership, provides funding, guidance supervision and oversight. The funding is provided by a fee on hazardous materials used by companies in the state.

The State Emergency Response Commission is appointed by the Governor. Local Emergency Planning Committees report to the State Emergency Response Commission at their regular meetings.

Local Emergency Planning Committees are required to have broad representation from many groups, including State and local officials, media, law enforcement, fire services, EMS and health care, environmental and community groups, citizens, and industrial facilities that use hazardous materials.

Public Meetings

All meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Committees are public and are posted on the state Public Meeting Calendar.

Emergency Response Plans

The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) requires that each Local Emergency Planning Committee prepare an emergency response plan for its district that includes information such as potential chemical hazards and procedures to be followed in the event of a chemical emergency. Contact each Local Emergency Planning Committee to review its emergency response plan.