LEPC

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS / LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE

ALEXANDER COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

(Online Extremely Hazardous Substance List is available by clicking here)

(EHS facilities in Alexander County are listed here)

Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2011

I.	PURPOSE This Annex provides additional information to the basic plan for response to hazardous materials emergencies and to meet the jurisdiction’s responsibilities pursuant to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986, Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Applicable legislation, regulations, statutes and standards are located in the “Authorities and References” section, or online at the website for the EPA.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation

	*	The specific facilities involved with hazardous materials subject to the emergency planning requirements of Section 302 of SARA, identified by the LEPC during the hazard analysis process, are listed in the facility files.
	*	The routes for the transportation (highways, railroads, pipelines, etc.) of hazardous materials, identified by the LEPC during the hazard analysis process, are listed in the “Commodity Flow Study” notebook and the facility files.
	*	The threat of a major disaster involving hazardous materials has increased in everyday use and transportation of chemicals by the various segments of our population.
	*	The results of a hazardous material incident could include the death or serious injury of persons exposed to the material, the spread of contaminants in varying degree throughout the County, and the destruction of property from fire, explosion or exposure.
	*	Evacuation, a protective measure, could isolate evacuees from their homes for an indefinite period of time.
	*	Victims of a hazardous material incident may require unique or special medical care not typically required in other types of emergencies.
	*	The release of hazardous materials may have short and/or long term health and environmental effects depending upon the chemical composition of the substance.
	*	A hazardous material incident may affect hundreds of people within the jurisdiction without warning.
	*	A hazardous material incident may require the public to shelter-in-place or to evacuate, depending upon conditions at the time of the emergency.

	B.	Assumptions
		This plan can be effective if the following assumptions prove true:

	*	Most, but not all, people affected by a hazardous material incident will follow instructions and shelter-in-place or relocate to designated shelters.
	*	Public notification/warning and evacuation, if required, will be in accordance with the standard operating guidelines developed to implement Notification and Warning and Evacuation and Transportation portions of this plan.
	*	The local jurisdiction must respond to the incident in the initial phase without assistance from outside the jurisdiction. It is assumed that emergency response agencies will, based on their standard operating guidelines, take appropriate actions to prevent or minimize the spread of the material, provide first aid as necessary, and manage the incident scene with emphasis toward safety of the public and responding personnel.
	*	Planning and training prior to an incident will significantly reduce the risk to personnel.
	*	The hazardous material involved in an incident can be identified within a reasonable period of time by the owner of the facility or the vehicle, by shipping documents, by the properties of the material itself, or by information provided pursuant to SARA, Title III or the North Carolina Right-to-Know Act.
	*	A facility involved in a hazardous material incident will provide all information required by Section 304 of SARA on a timely basis.
	*	Emergency response personnel are knowledgeable in the use of available resources.

III.

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A.	There are two types of incidents involving hazardous materials; (1) incidents at fixed facilities, and (2) transportation incidents.
B.	Incidents are classified according to the level of risk as determined by the Emergency Management Coordinator’s assessment.
	1. Level I (Potential Emergency Condition) is an incident which can be controlled by the first response agencies, does not require evacuation of other than the involved structure or immediate outdoor area (as defined in the guide pages of the United States Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook), and does not suggest that major environmental damage will occur.
	2. Level II (Limited Emergency Condition) is an incident that involves a critical hazard with a potential threat to life or property, requires a limited evacuation of the surrounding area, or suggests that major environmental damage could occur. Initial response to the incident may not be adequately handled by the jurisdiction’s resources. The response of a mutual aid hazardous materials team or a North Carolina Regional Response Team may be required. Resource assistance from the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management may be required. A limited activation (as defined in the EOC standard operating guidelines) of the Alexander County Emergency Operations Center will be accomplished.
	3. Level III (Full Emergency Condition) is an incident that involves a severe hazard or large area, poses an extreme threat to life and property, and will probably require a large-scale evacuation. Level III includes an incident requiring a combination of expertise and/or resources from local, state, federal and private agencies/organizations. A full activation (as defined in the EOC standard operating guidelines) of the Alexander County Emergency Operations Center will be accomplished.
C.	All response agencies standard operating guidelines (SOGs) for each level of incident response will be according to local policies/procedures and in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q).
D.	Training will be in accordance with local policies/procedures and in compliance with OSHA Guidelines 1910.120 (q)
E.	This plan recognizes that a hazardous material incident can change with time, and necessitate escalating the response to a higher level, or down-grading the response to lower levels as the situation is controlled.
F.	A Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) has been established at the County level to identify the magnitude of the local hazards, assess the vulnerability of the community to the hazards, and provide planning guidance for emergency response.
G.	Notification of a release of a hazardous material will be in accordance with Section 304 of SARA, 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(F), NFPA 471, and applicable agency standard operating guidelines. General guidelines for notification/warning have been developed.

IV.	ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
A.		General: The head of each agency involved in hazardous material response is responsible for the safety of his/her personnel. Training, standard operating guidelines and medical surveillance shall be in compliance with the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, 29 CFR 1910.120(q). In this regard, the head of each agency is, therefore, responsible for developing, maintaining and updating training programs and standard operating guidelines.
B.		Jurisdictional Responsibilities:

1.		Chairman, County Commissioners: In addition to specific assignments of responsibility identified elsewhere in this plan, the Chairman of the County Commissioners will:
	a.	Nominate a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) as identified in Section 301 of SARA and in accordance with the North Carolina Emergency Response Commission (NCERC). The LEPC will be appointed by the NCERC.
	b.	Encourage cooperation between the LEPC, local government agencies, facilities and other applicable organizations.

2.		County Manager: In addition to specific assignment of responsibilities identified in this plan, the County Manager will:
	a.	Ensure, through the Chairperson of the LEPC, that county facilities with hazardous materials are properly identified, are reporting as required, and have appointed a Facility Emergency Coordinator to represent them to the LEPC.
	b.	Provide administrative support to the LEPC as required.
	c.	Ensure through the appropriate agency heads that each agency under the control of, or under contract to, the County is prepared to fulfill their agency’s roles and responsibilities included in this plan.

3.		Emergency Management Coordinator: In addition to other duties and responsibilities will:
	a.	Coordinate exercises and tests of this plan in accordance with current federal and state requirements and in concurrence with the LEPC.
	b.	Ensure a critique of incident responses to assess and update procedures as needed.
	c.	Coordinates notification procedures with adjoining counties that may be affected by a release of hazardous materials within Alexander County.

4.		Incident Commander:
	a.	Lead Agency - Fire Department having jurisdictional authority.
	b.	Implement the necessary steps (including decontamination of responders, victims, patients and equipment) to safeguard human life, property and the environment in accordance with standard operating guidelines.
	c.	Activate the Site Specific Plan for a fixed facility incident.
	d.	Implement Alexander County's Incident Management System Plan.
	e.	Develop strategic goals and tactical objectives and implement tactical methods with regard to available resources and capability of personnel in accordance with Alexander County's Incident Management System Plan.

5.		Emergency Medical Services Director: In addition to other responsibilities in this plan, the Emergency Medical Services Director shall develop procedures with assistance from facility owners and operators, in accordance with local protocols, for:
	a.	Treatment of contaminated patients.
	b.	Direction and control of mass casualty incidents as a result of the release of hazardous materials.

C.	Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Responsibilities:

1.	Ensure fulfillment of responsibilities for local emergency planning pursuant to Section 301 of SARA and the policies of the NCERC.
2.	Continually assess the current level of prevention, preparedness, and response capability within the County.
3.	Review existing plans for overlap, useful information and ideas.
4.	Conduct an analysis of hazardous materials within the County to identify the hazards, vulnerability and risk.
5.	Develop procedures to ensure the perpetual chemical hazard identification and risk assessment program within the County.
6.	Develop a plan (this Annex) and ensure the development of guidelines to protect the public during a hazardous material incident.
7.	Ensure the development and distribution of public awareness programs.
8.	Ensure public access to information and the emergency operations plan regarding hazardous materials within the County.
9.	Ensure the development of procedures for notification and warning in the event of an incident involving hazardous materials.
10.	Identify individuals and groups within risk areas who have special needs such as transportation, advanced medical care, and special warning (sight or hearing impaired).
11.	Ensure that training for all responders to a hazardous material incident (including management) is in accordance with the duties to be performed by each responder and is in accordance with applicable policies, procedures and standards.
12.	Ensure that agencies develop and maintain Standard Operating Guidelines for hazardous materials response operations.
13.	Identify resources needed for response to a hazardous materials incident from public and private sources and make recommendations to the County officials about emergency response matters.
14.	Ensure an ongoing program for plan implementation, maintenance, training, and exercising. (Training programs for emergency responders of the county will be through individual agency in-service training, community college courses, North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission courses, and other offerings related to training. A schedule of these programs is maintained and distributed by the Emergency Management Coordinator). (Exercise schedules for this plan are developed and maintained by the Emergency Management Coordinator.)
15.	Ensure compliance with the provisions of Title III, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
16.	Assure coordination of planning efforts between jurisdictions (municipalities, counties, facilities, etc.) including the development of notification/warning, response, and remediation procedures for covered facilities.

V.	DIRECTION AND CONTROL

A.	The overall direction and control of emergency activities in a disaster situation is vested with the Chairman of the County Commissioners. Onsite management will be established by the Incident Commander.
B.	The senior officer or most qualified person on scene of the Fire Department having jurisdictional authority will be responsible for the direction and control (Incident Commander) of the hazardous materials response activities during emergencies. (A unified command structure will be utilized during large scale incidents.)

VI.	CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
	Lines of succession for agencies and officials involved in a hazardous materials incident are in accordance with established agency command structures, standard operating guidelines and any other applicable annex of this plan.