Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC)

About the LEPC

Local Emergency Planning Commissions (LEPCs) are appointed by State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs). In Missouri, the state commission is known as the Missouri Emergency Response Commission (MERC). The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (SARA Title II) requires all 50 states and U.S. Territories to set up a state SERC. The SERCs are established to ensure that all states’ emergency response programs are integrated with federal laws. SERCs and LEPCs work together with government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local Community Advisory Panels (CAPs), chemical companies, and various groups involved in emergency response to educate the general public, law enforcement, and first responders about the safe handling of chemicals; better known as product stewardship.

The Mission of the Commission

The mission of the City of St. Louis LEPC is to promote safety in the community through hazardous materials awareness, support planning efforts, encourage cooperative partnerships between the community and industry, and develop and sponsor educational and training programs relative to hazardous materials and situations for St. Louis, Emergency Responders, Industry, and the Community.

The Commission in the Community

The City of St. Louis LEPC coordinates emergency preparedness planning in the City of St. Louis and exists to help coordinate, plan, prepare, and train for disasters, especially hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills. The commission provides the public with right-to-know information regarding the chemicals, their quantity, location and risk to the community. The City of St. Louis LEPC brings together businesses, City fire and police departments, hospitals and other agencies to help the community prepare for and prevent disasters.

Information Sharing

The LEPC shares information with the community by inviting residents and business representatives to attend LEPC meetings and share comments or concerns during the “Public Comments” portion of the meeting. The LEPC takes the following additional steps to assist the public as an information resource:

• Distributing information regarding individual/family preparedness
• Providing chemical spill data to contractors on properties subject to construction and/or renovation
• Training facility managers to properly prepare Tier II (chemical inventory) Reports
• Sending out “Are You Ready” information for individual/family preparedness

Get Involved

Here are some ways you can help make St. Louis a safer community in which to live:

• Take an interest in chemicals located in your community.
• Volunteer to assist your Local Emergency Planning Commission. Contact the City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency at (314) 444-5466.
• If you own a business, take inventory of your hazardous chemicals and determine whether you need to report. Then, visit hazmat.dps.mo.gov to electronically file your Tier II report. 
• Let your fire department know about hazardous chemicals you have on hand, even if you don’t have a large enough quantity to be required to report.
• Shop carefully when you buy products containing hazardous substances. Buy only the amount you need and use the product according to the directions on the label.
• Talk with local facilities if you have concerns about how chemicals are handled. Good communication can prevent many problems.
• Make sure local officials are aware of your support for programs to manage hazardous chemicals properly.

Commission Leadership

Chairpersons:
Derrick Phillips, City of St. Louis Fire Department
Sherita Bradshaw-Jackson, Bi-State Metro
Past Chairman: Todd Perkins, Airgas USA
Treasurer: Lisa Ruiz, Chemisphere Corp.
Secretary: Bridget McKenna, City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency
Information Officer: Sarah Russell, City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency 
Sergeant at Arms: David Podgornik, Community member
Hazard Analysis: Andrew Gondzur, Community member

Section Representatives

Elected State & Local Officials: Ald. Shameem Clark Hubbard
Law Enforcement: Matt Wiedemann
Emergency Management: Sarah Russell, Bridget McKenna, Justen Hauser
Fire Fighting: Derrick Phillips
First Aid: Ellen Tisell
Health: Justen Hauser, Saleh Lajkem

Commission Membership

The City of St. Louis Local Emergency Planning Commission is a group of volunteer representatives drawn from the community including: emergency responders, law enforcement, industry, government, hospitals, schools, media, and concerned residents.

LEPC members represent their communities and serve as resources for residents to learn about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and health and environmental risks in their neighborhoods.

Local Environmental:
Hospital: TJ Moore
Transportation: Sherita Bradshaw-Jackson
Broadcast and Print Media: Sarah Russell
Community Groups: Todd Perkins, Andrew Gondzur
Owners and Operators of Covered Facilities: Todd Perkins, Lisa Ruiz, David Podgornik

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was established in 1986 to protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards through increased knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment. This information is gathered by requiring federal and state governments, local agencies, tribal nations, and industries to partner in implementing emergency planning and preparedness. This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency video explains how EPCRA protects communities from chemical accidents. 

Report Hazardous Chemical Inventory

Owners or operators of a facility where hazardous chemicals are used, produced, or stored must submit a Tier II report online to the Missouri Emergency Response Commission (MERC) if the quantity of hazardous chemicals on hand exceeds specific thresholds. This report must also be submitted to the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC), the City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency, and the St. Louis Fire Department. 

Contact LEPC