HELP IS ON THE WAY TO LEPCs
ICMA Now Offering Title III Peer Exchanges
By SARITH GUERRA and MATT LOGAN, ICMA
In local governments across the United States, the
responsibility for emergency preparedness and response rests with a variety of local government officials
and agencies. The implementation of the Emergency
Planning and Community Right to Know Act depends
in large part on the success of the activities of the Local
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and individual local governments. It is imperative that local
government officials and other individuals who participate in LEPCs understand the requirements of the act
and what is necessary to prepare their communities for
hazardous materials emergencies.
With a grant from the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office, the International City
Management Association is now able to coordinate
peer exchanges in Title III. The EPA/ICMA Title III
Peer Exchange Program matches community leaders
who need advice or assistance with their peers who
have successfully addressed emergency planning and
community right-to-know needs. This program also
encourages better communication and cooperation
with the private sector, while working to increase citizen awareness of and involvement in Title III activities.
In this era of budget constraints and limited resources, the need for information sharing and open lines of
communication between LEPCs is more important
than ever. Peer exchanges uniquely address this situation by bringing LEPC members together to discuss
areas of common concern. Initial reports indicate that
the program is exceeding the expectations of peer
match participants. According to Duane C. Sharp, the
coordinator of the Park County Wyoming LEPC, "the
peer exchange meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado
with myself and Frank Luciani (El Paso County, CO
LEPC) on April 26, 1991 was excellent. I returned to
Cody loaded with material and ideas to put in place in
my jurisdiction. I certainly believe it is worthwhile."
ICMA Environmental Programs needs help in identifying both advisors and recipients for these peer exchanges. If your town or city has a successful Title III
program or if it needs practical advice from an experienced LEPC, we want to hear from you. For more
information, call Sarith Guerra, project manager. Peer
Exchange Program, at (202) 962-3649. •
July 1991 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15