Connecticut State Emergency Response Commission

Local Emergency Planning Committees

Background


In May 1987, pursuant to Section 22a-601(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) designated local planning districts by notifying the Chief Elected Official in each municipality that each municipality was designated as a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).  Since that time, many municipalities have joined together to form regional emergency planning committees.  The SERC works to continuously update LEPC designations to reflect actual working relationships between towns and within regions to ensure the designation of the LEPC reflects the reality of each town's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

 

Roles and Responsibilities


The LEPC has many responsibilities required by law. The SERC has adopted guidance for LEPCs Roles and Responsibilities (PDF).  This guidance is designed to assist LEPCs in defining and/or clarifying their specific responsibilities as they relate to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).  It should be noted that the federal and state mandates must be carried out either at the local level or at the regional level.

 

LEPC Chairs 


The SERC maintains the official LEPC Chairperson database by town and provides this information to the public, industry, federal agencies, state agencies and other states.   If your city/town does not appear on this list, your municipality may not be active or has not provided the SERC with the contact information.  The First Selectman, Town Manager, or Town CEO is required to notify the SERC by providing written list of names of any new members including their title, mailing address, phone and fax numbers.   It is very important that LEPC memberships especially the Chairperson are kept current and that the SERC is kept apprised of all membership changes.  When changes occur, please submit the Notification of Change for LEPC Chairpersons' Contact Information Form - Word Form  | PDF

 

Local and Regional Emergency Planning Committees


Since 1987, many municipalities have joined together to form regional emergency planning committees.  Currently, the SERC supports sixty-three (63) municipalities organized into five (5) regional districts (PDF) and 106 local districts.

 

Refer to the interactive Connecticut LEPC map that identifies the LEPC and LEPC chair for each town.

 

The SERC supports any efforts made towards LEPC regionalization and expects the Regional Chairperson to work with municipalities and their existing LEPC Chairs to ensure that all roles and responsibilities are met. 

The SERC recommends the LEPC Regional Boundary Policy (PDF) be taken into consideration for a LEPC to join a Regional Emergency Planning Committee. 

Below are examples of two separate regions bylaws illustrating their roles and responsibilities in terms of emergency preparedness and information.

 

LEPCs and EPCRA-Regulated Facilities


LEPC members should work with regulated facilities, as well as the other emergency preparedness and response town officials, to ensure the town/city local emergency plan is compatible with their facility plan.  In addition, the regulated facility shall provide the information obtained below from the activities to the LEPC, the Fire Department with jurisdiction over the facility, and the SERC. Regulated facilities are required to undertake and submit the following: Revitalizing a LEPC Many LEPCs may need assistance in revitalizing their committees.  The SERC has published guidance that includes forms such as invite letters, agenda formats and bylaw language to assist LEPCs in their revitalize efforts.   

 

National Survey of the State Emergency Response Commissions.pdf (epa.gov), US EPA April 2023

Content Last Updated January 12, 2024