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Office of Emergency Management

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

What is the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)?   

Industries or agricultural sites that use, produce or store above a certain amount of extremely hazardous substances are required by law to plan for emergencies. Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are involved in this planning process. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) must develop an emergency response plans, review those plans at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation.

Federal law provides for a State Emergency Response Committee (SERC) made up of volunteers or appointees to oversee the LEPCs. In Michigan, the SERC duties are accomplished by the Michigan Citizen Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC). In Michigan, each county is designated as a Local Emergency Planning district.

For more info on the MCCERCC, see the Office of the Governor's page here. Our own Kalamazoo Co. EM Specialist Jeff Parsons was appointed to the MCCERCC April 26, 2022 to represent individuals with technical expertise related to emergency response. His term expires December 31, 2025. 

Helpful Links:

  • Kalamazoo County LEPC Bylaws
  • Community Right to Know Act
    Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act ("SARA Title III") is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This act has four main components: Emergency Planning, Emergency Release Notification, Hazardous Chemical Inventory (Tier Two Report), and Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI).

The Kalamazoo County Local Emergency Planning Committee meets quarterly, March, June, September, December on the first Wednesday of those months, at 3:30pm.  

Meeting Location: Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room C

Contact the LEPC at:

  • Email: LEPC@kalcounty.com
  • Phone: 269-385-6111   NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LEPC office is working remotely and may not have office phone access.