This newsletter is a joint venture between a workgroup of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and statewide county emergency management representatives. This workgroup was formed to provide guidance and training to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC), as they work to reenergize and improve participation in emergency planning in their communities.

Benefits of LEPC Collaboration

Collaboration strengthens a LEPC’s ability to meet EPCRA responsibilities by improving information-sharing, planning quality, operational coordination, and public risk communication—especially in Wisconsin where LEPC effectiveness often depends on strong ties with WEM, county EM, fire/HazMat teams, public health, and regulated facilities.

Operational Benefits (Response Readiness)

• Faster, cleaner incident response: Pre-identified facility contacts, updated chemical inventories, and shared Off-Site Plans reduce size-up time and improves speed of tactical implantation.
• Unified command and cross-discipline coordination: Regular joint work builds relationships and clarifies roles between fire, EMS, law enforcement, public health, emergency management, and facility response teams.
• Mutual aid alignment: Neighboring jurisdictions can standardize assumptions (e.g., plume modeling tools, evacuation/shelter triggers, staging concepts), improving interoperability during regional incidents.

Planning and Compliance Benefits (EPCRA Performance)

• Better Tier II and EHS awareness: Collaboration with facilities improves accuracy and timeliness of Tier II submissions and helps the LEPC identify where Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) are present and what that means for planning.
• Quality Emergency Off-Site Response Plans: Joint planning efforts results in realistic scenarios, important site-specific information, and appropriate protective actions for community safety.
• Stronger SERC/WEM coordination: A collaborative LEPC is better positioned to meet state and federal expectations and resolve reporting or planning gaps efficiently.

Risk Reduction and Prevention Benefits

• Early identification of high-risk trends: Shared data and “near-miss” learning can highlight recurring issues (e.g., ammonia refrigeration leaks, chlorine/hypo handling problems, fuel storage vulnerabilities).
• Targeted training and exercises: LEPCs can prioritize limited time and funding toward the highest-risk hazards and the most common operational challenges.
• Improved safety culture at facilities: Facilities engaged with responders often invest more in pre-incident planning, access improvements, labeling, and emergency procedures.

Community & Public Information Benefits

• Clearer public messaging: Coordinated communication among LEPC, PIOs, public health, and facilities reduces confusion and misinformation during incidents.
• Credible public outreach: When the LEPC works closely with stakeholders, outreach on shelter-in-place, evacuation, and warning systems is more consistent and trusted.

Resource and Capability Benefits

• Shared expertise and equipment: Smaller departments gain access to county/regional HAZMAT capability, technical specialists, and planning support.
• Grant and funding competitiveness: Multi-agency and public-private collaboration strengthens applications and demonstrates regional impact.
• Reduced duplication: One coordinated set of facility surveys, contacts, and pre-plans saves time across agencies.

Course Modules:

• Module 1 – EPCRA Overview
• Module 2 – EPCRA Program and LEPC’s
• Module 3 – Reporting & Planning Facilities
• Module 4 – EPCRA Planning Program
• Module 5 – Offsite Response Plans
• Module 6 – CAMEO and MARPLOT Overview
• Module 7 – WHOPRS Overview
• Module 8 – EPCRA Grants

The next class is scheduled for

• Date: March 6
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Module: W-612 – Emergency Planning & LEPCs

All classes will be held on Fridays at 9:30a.m. for the next 7 weeks. Register for each module on the WEM Training Portal.