Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are required under federal and state law to coordinate hazardous materials response preparedness activities. For more information contact SERC. Fill out this application and return to EMA@AndroscogginCountyMaine.gov to request membership in LEPC.

Funds are provided to the Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in each county to implement the program at that level, complete emergency response plans, provide public access to data, monitor facility exercises and provide training programs for public safety responders to prepare them to safely respond to chemical releases. For more information on related training programs, visit SERC's Responder Training and Resources.

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 mandated that each state Governor appoint a SERC. This Commission can be comprised of a single agency or representatives of various groups. In accordance with this law, Governor John R. McKernan, Jr., established by Executive Order the Maine SERC on April 13, 1987. The Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) was appointed the Chair of the Commission. Eight others were appointed to serve on it. In 1989, when the Maine Legislature codified the federal law, additional positions were added to the SERC.

Facilities that manufacture, process, use, store and sometimes, transport chemicals are required to provide annual reports of their inventories of chemicals and pay fees to the State Emergency Response Fund. This fund is used to provide two positions in the Maine Emergency Management Agency which provide planning and data management services and administer the program. Some training programs are also provided from this level, as well as an annual Hazardous Materials Conference. The SERC supports training of first responders and emergency managers across the state. Training is coordinated regionally through the 16 county-based LEPCs. For more information contact SERC

Pursuant to State and Federal laws, information collected under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (RTK) Act is considered public information and is accessible to the public.