In October of 2001, the Macon County LEPC
undertook the task of developing a comprehensive chemical emergency response
plan for each facility in Macon County subject to federal reporting
requirements, 70 total. Federal guidelines spelled out what the plan must
meet, including:
- Identification of the facilities;
chemicals used, stored, or created; the transportation route(s) used for
transport; and any facility that may contribute or be subject to
additional risk.
- Methods and procedures for responding
to a release.
- Designate a community response
coordinator for the LEPC and a facility emergency coordinator for each
facility.
- Describe notification procedures for
the response personnel and the public.
- Describe methods for determining the
occurrence of a release and the affected populations.
- List all emergency equipment available
from the facility and the community, as well as the number of trained
response personnel.
- Develop evacuation plans with primary
and alternate routes.
- Develop training programs.
- Describe methods and schedules for
exercising the plan.
In October of 2002, the Macon County LEPC
was recognized by the SERC for excellence in facility specific planning at
the 2002 Chemical Emergency Planning Conference.
This recognition was given for being the
first LEPC in the state of Illinois, to develop a comprehensive facility
specific chemical emergency response plan that not only met, but exceeded
state and federal planning requirements.
