What are LEPCs?
The Tuscarawas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a local  organization mandated by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 as well as Section 3750.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. It is one of 88 such Committees in Ohio, which chose to make counties the geographical focus for its local right-to-know requirements. The Tuscarawas County LEPC provides the following general services to the public, other government agencies and regulated facilities:
· Data Processing for annual chemical inventories for an estimated 250 facilities.
· Planning for emergency response to emergency releases of hazardous substances.
· Receipt of emergency notifications when hazardous substance releases occur.
· Providing information about local chemical inventories and emergency releases to the public.
· Coordination of training and exercises for emergency response.
Administration of County Haz-Mat Team.
The Tuscarawas County Local Emergency Planning Committee Consists of the following Committee members:

The following is a list of disciplines which are required by law to be represented on the Local Emergency Planning Committee:
· A local elected official
· A local law enforcement officer
· A local fire chief
· A local hospital representative
· The local emergency manager
· A local American Red Cross official
· A health department official
· A local environmental person
· A local transportation official
· Broadcast and print media personnel
· Community groups
· Chemical facility owners and operators

The Ohio State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) appoints the committee members based on recommendations from the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners.

The law charges the LEPC with determining where hazardous and extremely hazardous substances are manufactured, stored, or used in the community. The committee is then required to make plans for responding to the release of such materials. The Tuscarawas County LEPC also assists in providing hazardous material training to local safety personnel and the County’s Haz-Mat Team.

Facilities storing extremely hazardous substances have special emergency planning requirements and must provide the LEPC with information requested for an annual update of its emergency response plan for hazardous materials.

The Tuscarawas County LEPC receives staff support from the Tuscarawas County Emergency Management Agency.
Information about the plan or hazardous substances stored in Tuscarawas County can be obtained by calling (330) 308-6670 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Information about emergency releases of hazardous substances can be reported by calling Tuscarawas County 911, 24 hours-a-day.  The LEPC meets quarterly and its meetings, which are open to the public.  For meeting dates and location, please call (330) 308-6670.

What is SARA?
Click here to find out more about the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act

What is the Ohio SERC?
Click here to find out more about the Ohio State Emergency Response Commission

Contact Information