What is the Lucas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)?

An Alliance

The Lucas County LEPC coordinates chemical emergency plans between fire departments, police departments, hospitals, industry, Red Cross and other partners.

The LEPC exists to reach out to the public and provide for an open dialogue about the risks of chemical accidents. Through our program, we want to build understanding about industry operations, potential hazards, and emergency preparedness and accident prevention.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

The Lucas County LEPC works with emergency management authorities (such as fire departments) to ensure a county-wide coordinated response to chemical emergency planning.

We believe in your right to know

The LEPC supports the community's right to know about the risks associated with chemicals in your community.

In order to do our part to encourage an open dialogue about riskmanagement, we are embarking on a program to reach out to our community. In fact, this brochure is part of that program. The LEPC is reaching out to the public in many ways:

• Mail from companies directly to their neighbors on specific risks associated with local facilities.
• A phone hotline where you can call with your questions or comments.
  (419) 213-6527
• A web page where you can retrieve information.
  www.lucascountylepc.org
• Media interviews on Toledo television, radio and newspapers.
• Community speaking engagements.

A New Risk Management Regulation

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued a new regulation that requires companies which handle certain regulated chemicals to develop a Risk Management Plan, and make the informationavailable to the public. Among the information which must be communicated is:

• A Risk Management Plan
• An accident prevention program
• An Emergency Response program
• A five-year accident history
• A worst case scenario (one in which every safety system fails, and meteorological conditions are at their worst).
• A more likely accident scenario

What is risk?

While companies work hard to control the hazards at facilities to protect themselves and the public, people may look at the plant sites and wonder what really goes on behind the gates and walls.

This brochure is part of an industry effort to answer that question. However, before embarking on a discussion of risk management, and how it affects you, we need to define what risk is.

There are three components to risk as it relates to chemicals:

• The actual presence of certain regulated chemicals.
• The chance an incident will happen.
• The seriousness of an incident if it does happen.

What is risk management?

Companies attempt to reduce the chances of a serious incident by making incidents less likely to occur, and less serious if they do occur.

Specifically, they target their efforts in these areas:

• Eliminate or reduce hazards
• Prevent incidents
• Minimize/contain incidents
• Prepare the public
• Respond promptly to emergencies

We believe in prevention. How is risk managed?

Industry's targeted efforts to manage risk take many different forms. The overall philosophy is that we strive to prevent accidents at every stage of a plantŐs life cycle. Through "layers of protection" there are multiple safeguards to promote accident prevention.

Facility safeguards:

• Plants are designed for safety
• Multiple back up systems are built into design.
• Workers are trained and re-trained for safety
• Safety reviews are conducted on new and modified equipment
• Detailed operating practices are closely followed
• Employees don't push equipment too hard
• EPA and OSHA perform consistent inspection to ensure facilities are in compliance with regulations
• Local employees follow alcohol and substance abuse policies
• National Inspection Standards are followed.
• Preventive maintenance systems are used to monitor plant equipment.
• Periodic plant-wide safety audits are conducted.

Whenever possible, local facilities use up-to-date technology to insure safe operation.

What will facilities do if there is an accident?

Detect the incident

Internal plant systems exist to detect accidents. They quickly signal plant operators of an emergency, and allow for an immediate response.

Respond immediately to the emergency

In an emergency, a response plan is implemented immediately. A command system is initiated, and a response team is mobilized. Emergency response teams are trained, use well-maintained equipment, and practice their responses.

Notify officials and the public

While an emergency is taking place, the plant notifies public officials of an emergency.

What should you do if you are notified about an emergency?

Local fire and safety officials will notify neighborhood residents about potential incidents. This summer, the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency will implement a system which will allow instant phone notification to plant neighbors of an emergency.

Evacuate or stay where you are?

Around the country, the most commonly accepted response to a chemical accident is something called shelter in place. In short, unless you are directed otherwise by an authorized official,

• Stay where you are
• Shut all doors and windows
• Turn off air conditioning and heat
• Tune to the media for further instructions