Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) reviews and advises on the City's emergency plans, including those aimed at addressing extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) that have been specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Plan elements include:

• Identification of facilities that are subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1987 (EPCRA) Emergency Planning requirements.
• A listing of methods and procedures to respond to a release of such substances
• The appointment of community and facility emergency coordinators who shall implement the plan
• Procedures for notification of a release of such substances
• An outline of the methods for determining the occurrence of a release and the area and populations affected
• A description of the facilities with such substances within the community and their emergency equipment
• Evacuation plans related to such substances
• Training and exercise programs related to such substances

The LEPC receives annual Hazardous Chemical Inventory reports (aka Tier II reports) from facilities that have certain quantities of hazardous chemicals (as defined by EPA) on site.  In 2013, twenty-two (22) facilities in the City of Alexandria submitted Hazardous Chemical Inventory reports for substances that were present during calendar year 2012.  The only EHS present above a threshold quantity at any of the reporting facilities is sulfuric acid (almost exclusively contained within batteries).  The most commonly reported substances are various petroleum products.  Hazardous Chemical Inventory reports are available for public review at the Alexandria Office of Emergency Management. 

The LEPC meets quarterly at the call of the Chair, and all meetings are open to the public. 

For more information, please contact Ashley Ehrhart, of the Alexandria Office of Emergency Management, at 703.746.5258.

Membership:

• Two Elected state and local officials
• Two Representatives from law enforcement and firefighting personnel
• Two Representatives of broadcast and print media
• Two Representatives of community groups
• Two Owners and operators of facilities subject to the federal emergency planning requirements of Super Fund Amendments and reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)

Term of Service:

• 2 Year Term

Links / Useful Resources:

• Alexandria Emergency Preparedness
• Alexandria Office of Emergency Management
• City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Emergency Operations Plan (RECP)
• Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, SARA Title III/EPCRA Program
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act Requirements