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LEPC’s mission is to provide resources and guidance to the community through education, coordination and assistance in hazmat planning; and to assure public health and safety. In accordance with Title 20 VSA and the Superfund Amendment & Reauthorization Act of 1986, title III Emergency Planning and community Right to Know Program (SARA Title III, EPCRA), the governor of Vermont appoints the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). The SERC has divided the state into 10 local emergency planning districts, and has appointed a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each district. LEPC #1 consists of representatives from businesses, local government, emergency responders and citizen groups located in Chittenden County municipalities.
Towns in LEPC #1 Region are shown on the map below. LEPC holds meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 9am at the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s office. Contact Paul Luciano, Emergency Management Planner, 846-4490 x 25.
Statutory Foundation for Local Emergency Planning Committee
In 1986, Congress passed the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), which required each State to establish an Emergency Response Commission (SERC). The SERC’s were to designate emergency planning districts and the districts were to develop Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC). The LEPC’s were to be responsible for developing an emergency plan for preparing for and responding to chemical emergencies in that community.
The following is an excerpt from the Vermont Statutes (Annotated). Title 20 (Internal Security and Public Safety), Chapter 1 (Civil Defense Generally), Subsection 32 (Local emergency planning committees; creation; duties) outlines the creation and duties of LEPC’s in Vermont.
§ 32. Local emergency planning committees; creation; duties
- (a) Local emergency planning committees shall be appointed by the state emergency response commission.
- (b) A local emergency planning committee shall perform all the following duties:
- (1) Carry out all the requirements of a committee pursuant to Title III of SARA of 1986.
- (2) Upon receipt by the committee or the committee’s designated community emergency coordinator of a notification of a release of a hazardous chemical or substance, insure that the local emergency response plan has been implemented.
- (3) Consult and coordinate with the heads of local government emergency services, the emergency management division of the department of public safety and the managers of all facilities within the district regarding the facility plan.
- (4) Review and evaluate requests for funding and other resources and advise the state emergency response commission concerning disbursement of funds.
- (c) Nothing in this section shall exempt any person or facility from the provisions of sections 1721-1731 of Title 18. (Added 1989, No. 252 (Adj. Sess.), § 25.)
Since the creation of the federal Department of Homeland Security in 2002, LEPC’s have become the vehicle of choice for disseminating federal funding for equipment, planning and exercises to local first responders and emergency planners.
Local Emergency Contact Information
Chittenden County Fire Services
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Chittenden County Law Enforcement
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Chittenden County EMS
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Public Health
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Public Safety
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Community Groups
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