Somerset County Office of Emergency Management Invites Residents to Attend Emergency Response Plan Meeting

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ – The Somerset County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) invites residents to attend the Somerset County Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. The meeting will be held at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy, located at 402 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ.

The planning committee prepares and protects the community by developing Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and is the designated entity the public turns to in the case of a significant chemical accident to answer any questions concerning a response.

Responsibilities of this committee include:

• Two meetings a year that include representation of all stakeholder groups as well as opening the meeting up to the public and local media
• Develop an emergency response plan (off-site ERP) for their community/district
• Establish procedures for receiving reports from facilities
• Complete (off-site) ERPs and review/exercise them annually
• Provide public access to review (off-site) ERPs

Personnel from industries, community organizations and government agencies work hand-in-hand to share information and training opportunities to better prepare for emergency situations.

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, local emergency planning committees must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens.

Somerset County LEPC
The LEPC was formed as a result of the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. Its purpose is to provide citizens and emergency responders with information about chemicals in Somerset County. The law requires communities plan for chemical emergencies and establish a chain of command using the National Incident Management System to make sure requirements are met. The LEPC is part of the chain of command.

To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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