History
In October 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-499, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title Ill, also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This federal law requires the Governor of each state to appoint a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) which then will divide each state into Local Emergency Planning Districts, each governed by a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). In Arizona, local planning districts were determined by county boundaries. The Pima County LEPC is one of 15 LEPC's in the State of Arizona. The Arizona State Emergency Response Commission (AZSERC) resides with the Department of Environmental Quality after moving from the Arizona Department of Military and Emergency Affairs (ADEMA) in 2016.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors on June 5, 1987, approved the formation and authorized operation of the Pima County LEPC. In 2010, the Pima County LEPC became a member of the National Association of SARA Title Three Professional Officers (NASTTPO). This national organization supports the operations of the SERC and LEPCs across the United States.
Mission
Continuously improve public, business and government knowledge related to hazardous materials incident planning and response through education and training, exercising, and outreach by:
- Providing assistance and support to businesses related to hazardous materials incident planning and preparedness;
- Participation in community outreach efforts;
- Building partnerships with other emergency management, environmental, health and safety organizations; and
- Utilizing the media and social media to meet public outreach goals.
Support hazardous materials response teams and first responder agencies by:
- Supporting educational opportunities through Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning grant coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ);
- Supporting exercise coordination and participation;
- Coordinating planning and operational guidelines between industry, response, and governmental entities; and
- Providing guidance and approval on the use of Emergency Response Funds allocated through ADEQ.
Maintain the responsibilities and requirements of LEPCs as required in EPCRA and the Arizona Revised Statutes.
EPCRA: What it means to State, Tribe, Local Agencies and the Community
This training program was developed by EPA to educate LEPC Members and the commuity on the elements of EPCRA. This is EPA Course provides a good overview on EPCRA and CERCLA components appropriate for LEPC Members and the hazardous materials community/industry. Pima County LEPC Members are encouraged to complete the training to become better educated with EPCRA and to better understand their role as an LEPC Member.
https://www.epa.gov/epcra/epcra-training-states-tribes-lepcs-local-planners-and-responders-non-section-313
Resources
2020 Emergency Response Guidebook
The 2020 Emergency Response Guidebooks have been ordered. Once the shipment is received, the office will coordinate distribution to first responder organizations.