As the chair of the Mason County Local Emergency Planning Committee,
I have some very big shoes to fill. The work and projects of the
Mason County LEPC has just been outstanding.
Just a brief word about the local emergency planning committees in
general; they are
mandated by the Community Right-To-Know federal legislation that can be
traced to the EPA's Clean Air Act. Much more important than
that, however, your local LEPC consists of members who have a heart for
our community and for our protection from any hazardous substance
releases that might affect Mason County residents. Mason County LEPC members
are from a variety of places representing many disciplines; fire departments, law enforcement agencies, schools,
county health, local hospital, Enhanced 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch, Office of Emergency Services, Emergency Medical
Services, County Commissioners, all villages in Mason County, area industries,
and citizens. The public is
welcome to attend the quarterly meetings; they are posted in the
newspaper. The LEPC's goal is to help protect the residents of
Mason County from unplanned chemical releases through response planning
and education.
Your LEPC has been successful at obtaining state grants to fund their
projects, and LEPC members have been generous supporting
projects.
Some
examples are:
- WARN System - First county in West Virginia to
implement the WARN system. This provides rapid notification
via phone with a short message during emergencies.
- Hazardous Materials Study - Evaluation of
potential chemical exposures via river, rail, road, or plants.
- Development of County Emergency Operating Plan and
reduced to searchable CD for field use.
- Educational DVD for schools high-lighting
"Shelter-In-Place" and Evacuation procedures.
- Provide "Shelter-In-Place" kits for schools in
Mason County.
- New Commodity Flow Study currently underway studying the
types and amounts of hazards that are transported through Mason
County by water, rail, and road
We are very proud of our team who has both defined and
completed important projects for training and education. As a
member of the LEPC I am proud of has been accomplished and look forward
to all of the great projects in the future. Furthermore, as the
new chair of the LEPC I am proud and excited to work with each and every
member of the LEPC and see our organization continue the GREAT work that
the LEPC has shown.
Thank You for your interest in the LEPC of Mason County and for
visiting our site.
RC Faulk, Chair
Last Update:
Tuesday January 18, 2011
@ 08:41:15
