§ 32. Local emergency planning committees; creation; duties

(a) Local emergency planning committees shall be appointed by the state emergency response commission.

(b) Local emergency planning committees should include representatives from the following: fire departments; local and regional emergency medical services; local, county, and state law enforcement; media; transportation; regional planning commissions; hospitals; industry; the national guard; the department of health district office; an animal rescue organization; and may include any other interested public or private individual or organization.

(c) A local emergency planning committee shall perform all the following duties:

(1) Carry out all the requirements of a committee pursuant to EPCRA, including preparing a local emergency planning committee response plan. The plan shall be coordinated with the state emergency operations plan and may be expanded to address all hazards and all phases of emergency management. At a minimum, the local emergency planning committee response plan shall include the following:

(A) Identifies facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances.

(B) Describes emergency response procedures, including those identified in facility plans.

(C) Designates a local emergency planning committee coordinator and facility coordinators to implement the plan.

(D) Outlines emergency notification procedures.

(E) Describes how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases of hazardous substances.

(F) Describes local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them.

(G) Outlines evacuation plans.

(H) Provides for coordinated local training to ensure integration with the state emergency operations plan.

(I) Provides methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans.

(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 director or designee, regional planning commissions, 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 and district coordinators concerning disbursement of funds.

(5) Work to support the various emergency services, mutual aid systems, town governments, regional planning commissions, state agency district offices, and others in their area in conducting coordinated all-hazards emergency management activities. (Added 1989, No. 252 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; amended 2005, No. 209 (Adj. Sess.), § 24.)