Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Chairman: Assistant Chief Kasey Farmer
Vice Chairman: Chief Alex Lape
Emergency Coordinator: Director Jon Kochis
Information Coordinator: Christy Noland

2024 Meeting Dates

All meetings are held at the Fairfield County Emergency Management Agency Office - 240 Baldwin Drive, Lancater, Ohio 43130 - unless otherwise stated.

April 4th, 2024: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Ocotber 3th, 2024: 9:00 AM -10:00 AM

What is the LEPC?

A committee required by the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) that is made up of representatives from government, industry, elected officials, environmental groups and others. Under SARA states are required to form a Commission to develop appropriate rules, regulations and guidance for the states. In Ohio, the ‘State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)’ is appointed by the Governor to oversee these functions.

Ohio Counties are required to have a Committee that must include, without limitation, personnel from: elected state and local officials, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency management, first aid, health, local environmental, hospital, transportation, media, community groups, and facilities subject to Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 3750 (Emergency Planning).

The County Commissioners nominate individuals to serve on the County LEPC and the SERC appoints the Committee to serve a two year term.

What are the key functions of the LEPC?

Under ORC 3750 the LEPC has several tasks that must be accomplished, these are:

The appointment of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Community Emergency Coordinator and an Information Coordinator.

Adopt By-Laws for conducting business.

Conduct compliance and enforcement activities and report activities to SERC annually.

Prepare and submit to SERC a Chemical Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan and annually thereafter submit the plan, or plan updates, for review and concurrence.

Prepare and conduct an exercise of its plan at least annually.

The Fairfield County LEPC has incorporated the planning requirements of Title III into the County Emergency Operations Plan which developed and maintained by Fairfield County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Businesses that produce, use or store certain quantities of hazardous materials listed on the EPA's Extremely Hazardous Substance list must report their chemical inventories annually to the State Emergency Response Commission, the County LEPC and their local fire departments annually.

Facts on the Fairfield County LEPC

1. LEPC Recognition Award.  SERC uses a ten area criteria to evaluate if the LEPCs are meeting the requirements of ORC 3750.  The inaugural year for this award was 1994 and the Fairfield County LEPC has received this award every year since 1994.
2. Sub-Committees:  There are four sub-committee appointed by the LEPC Chairman to assist in conduct of business, these are the Executive and Finance, Planning and Exercise; Training and Education; and the Compliance and Enforcement Sub-Committees.
3. Plans.  The County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security works with the Planning and Exercise Sub-Committee on the development and annual updates to the Hazardous Materials Annex to the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).  
4. Exercises.  The Hazardous Materials exercises are developed and conducted by the Planning and Exercise Sub-Committee between July 1st and June 30th annually.
5. Facility Inspections.  Annually the LEPC arranges for compliance inspections of a number of the chemical facilities within the county that are required to report to the LEPC by ORC 3750.05. Results of these inspections are forwarded to SERC.
6. Community Right to Know.  In accordance with SARA and ORC 3750 the LEPC provides information on chemicals used, manufactured or stored locally to the citizens and community.
7. Community Services.  The Committee also provides information and guidance to the citizens by publishing articles such as ‘Sheltering in Place’.