Become a Member

Any person interested in being a part of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is welcome to attend any of the regularly scheduled meetings. An individual interested in serving as a voting member on the LEPC may submit an email to the Pinal County Office of Emergency Management at any time. Applications submitted less than ten days prior to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting are normally considered at the following quarterly meeting.

Note: Please be advised voting members are bound by attendance requirements as prescribed in the LEPC By-Laws. Failure to attend regularly scheduled meetings according to the committee’s By-Laws will result in forfeiture of voting member status.

Membership

By federal and state law, each Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) must include, at a minimum, representatives from each of the following groups:

  • Group I: Elected state and local officials.
  • Group II: Law enforcement, civil defense, fire fighting, first aid, health, local environmental, hospital, and transportation personnel.
  • Group III: Broadcast and print media. These entities are needed to get the word out about a release or to provide a channel for public education about Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) and their goals.
  • Group IV: Community groups. Community groups, especially environmental activists and advocates, can raise issues and be very effective in representing public concerns about chemical risks and hazards. It is a good idea to look for participation from community groups that are active in Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) issues. The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) can help channel their energy and concerns into useful suggestions and honest work. By inviting these groups to the table, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) will find it far easier to achieve the intent of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).
  • Group V: Owners and operators of facilities subject to the requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

The purpose of the diversity of stakeholders is to get a full handle on the complex job assigned to a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and each point of view and expertise lends more substance to the planning effort. Each area of interest and expertise represented on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) membership adds to the depth of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) effort.