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| ARF- 3029 |
Consent Agenda Item 5. C.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Gila County Local Emergency Planning Committee Resignations and Appointments |
| Background Information |
The Local Emergency Planning Committee is mandated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) sections 301-303 (42 USC 116) or 40 CFR part 355. Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) §26-344 also outlines the requirements for local emergency planning committees.
Under EPCRA, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation. There is one LEPC for each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):
Each LEPC appoints a chairperson and adopts procedural rules by which the LEPC will function, with an eye on the required tasks and duties of an LEPC. These rules must include provisions for public notification of committee activities, public meetings to discuss the emergency plan, public comments, response to such comments by the committee, and distribution of the emergency plan. Each LEPC must establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for EPCRA information, including Tier Two information. Such procedures shall include the designation of an official to serve as coordinator for information. Federal and state law require each LEPC to review its emergency plan at least annually in a public meeting, or more frequently as changed circumstances in the community or at any facility may require.
•Elected state and local officials
•Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
•Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
•Facility representatives
•Representatives from community groups and the media
The required elements of a community emergency response plan include:
•Identification of facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances
•Description of emergency response procedures, on and off site
•Designation of a community coordinator and facility emergency coordinator(s) to implement the plan
•Outline of emergency notification procedures
•Description of how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases
•Description of local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them
•Outline of evacuation plans
•A training program for emergency responders (including schedules)
•Methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans
Under A.R.S. §26-344, the "commission", which in Arizona it is known as the Arizona Emergency Response Commission (AERC), is responsible for designating emergency planning districts and upon establishments of the districts, it appoints members of local emergency planning committees. Per statute, the Gila County Board of Supervisors nominated the initial members of the Gila County Local Emergency Planning Committee (GCLEPC) to the AERC for appointment. The statutes provide that once the Board of Supervisors nominated the initial members, any subsequent nominations for appointment are to be made by the GCLEPC Chairman on a majority vote of the GCLEPC. The nominations for appointment are then submitted to the AERC. |
| Evaluation |
| To inform the Board of Supervisors of resignations and new Local Emergency Planning Committee potential appointments. |
| Conclusion |
On October 13, 2014, Debra Williams resigned as the GCLEPC Coordinator, and on February 4, 2015, Michael O'Driscoll resigned as the GCLEPC Chairman. John Armer, GCLEPC Member representing law enforcement, and David Wales, GCLEPC Member representing industry also no longer serve on this Commission.
It is appropriate for the Board of Supervisors to acknowledge the resignations of Debra Williams, Michael O'Driscoll, John Armer and David Wales from the GCLEPC, and the nominations of Keith Thompson as Chairman and Todd Whitney as Coordinator of the GCLEPC. There are two current vacancies on the Commission which represent law enforcement and industry. Emergency Services Division staff will be working with the GCLEPC Chairman to fill the vacancies and will provide an update to the Board of Supervisors when they have been filled. |
| Recommendation |
| It is the recommendation of the Health & Emergency Services Division Director that the Board of Supervisors acknowledge the resignations of Debra Williams, Michael O'Driscoll, John Armer and David Wales from the GCLEPC and the following nominations for appointment to the GCLEPC as of March 3, 2015: Keith Thompson, Gila County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant, as Chairman; and Todd Whitney, Emergency Management/Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner for the Gila County Health and Emergency Services Division, as Coordinator. After the Board of Supervisors has acknowledged the nominations for appointment, they will be submitted to the AERC. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Acknowledgment of the resignations of Debra Williams, Michael O'Driscoll, John Armer and David Wales from the Gila County Local Emergency Planning Committee (GCLEPC); and the nominations of appointment of Keith Thompson, Gila County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant, as GCLEPC Chairman, and Todd Whitney, Gila County Emergency Services Division Emergency Management/Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner, as GCLEPC Coordinator effective as of March 3, 2015, and upon approval by the Arizona Emergency Response Commission. |
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