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U.S. EPA honors Southern
California emergency planning committee |
LOS
ANGELES - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently presented
the California Local Emergency Planning Committee a 2007 National
Notable Achievement Award for leadership in chemical emergency
prevention and preparedness in Southern California.
The California Local Emergency Planning Committee
Region 1 is a multi-agency planning effort that encompasses Los
Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo
counties. The LEPC carries out planning responsibilities set
forth in the federal Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act established in 1986.
During a ceremony held in Van Nuys on July 12, the
EPA's Daniel Meer presented a plaque to LEPC Chair Steve Tsumura of the
El Segundo Fire Department and other members of LEPC 1.
"Because Southern California industries handle large
volumes of hazardous substances such as chlorine, ammonia, and other
chemicals within densely populated areas, coordinated emergency
response planning is essential," said Daniel Meer, the EPA's regional
branch chief for emergency response, prevention and preparedness.
"We congratulate the California Local Emergency Planning Committee for
providing exemplary leadership in emergency planning."
"Without the dedicated efforts of our volunteer
Local Emergency Planning Committee, we could not have participated in
such programs as Shelter-In-Place, School Safety, Joint Mutual Aid
Exercises, and Risk Management Program outreach to the public," said
Steve Tsumura of the El Segundo Fire Department. "These programs
benefit thousands of residents in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa
Barbara and San Luis Obispo, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach and
Torrance."
The involvement of local agencies in the
California Local Emergency Planning Committee resulted in
recommendations that fire departments schedule drills at major chemical
facilities, while developing an understanding of specific hazards and
hazardous materials response for communities, residential areas and
businesses.
The California Local Emergency Planning Committee
provides planning information - in English and Spanish - on topics such
as:
- Protecting your
family - a list of common questions and answers to families during
emergencies;
-
Sheltering-in-place school training kit that includes how to create
temporary shelter during an emergency situation;
- Emergency
checklist that outlines critical supplies needed during an emergency;
- Hazardous
materials disposal that advises how to properly handle and dispose of
household hazardous materials;
- Living safely
with chemicals -- understanding chemical risk management
The California Local Emergency Planning Committee
maintains an on-going local forum for community discussion and action
about hazardous chemicals, ensuring the public is prepared for possible
chemical hazards and that adequate resources are available.
For more information on the California Local
Emergency Planning Committee program, please visit: http://www.lepccalifornia.org
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