The Chester County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for the Emergency Planning District of Chester County is a partnership to protect the public against risks from hazardous materials.  Federal legislation requires planning districts and local committees.  Pennsylvania Act 165 defines each county as a separate planning district with its own committee.  Members of the LEPC are nominated by the County Commissioners and approved by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The objectives of the LEPC are as follows:

1.  Establish procedures for receiving and processing request from the public for information under The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986.  Develop, implement, and exercise the emergency plan required by The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986.  And carry out the duties enumerated in Act 1990-165.

   Federal law requires each facility which manufacturers, uses, transfers, supplies or distributes extremely hazardous materials over a certain threshold to provide a response plan which will serve to protect the public in the vicinity of the facility.  The LEPC coordinates these plans with all interested parties, review them for compliance and formally approves them for use.  Also each year, the owners or operators of these facilities must submit inventories of the chemicals they have present.  Under The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, any information received by the LEPC from a facility must be made available to the public. 

2.  Develop and organize a systematic, efficient and effective method for providing public education and training opportunities to residents, in order to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.

   Chemicals and other hazardous materials are here to stay.  Our economy and life style depend on their use.  Most of us are aware of the risks involved but accept them because there are prevention and response plans in place that minimize this risk.  The Chester County LEPC is very active in carrying out their responsibilities. 

   As a citizen, you can be aware of the risks that affect you.  Support industry efforts to reduce or manage the risk.  Manage the risk at home.  Read labels; buy only what you really need to do the job.  Volunteer as an emergency responder with your local fire company or ambulance service. 

5.  Match the needs of emergency services first responders with the skills and abilities of volunteers.

6.  Promote Citizen Corps activities, programs and projects.

7.  Enhance community awareness and Citizen Corps participation.

Chester County LEPC meets at 8:30 am in Room 042 of the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA on the second Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November.

For more information on the LEPC, please click here.