Purpose

This section was developed to inform the public about the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

About the Committee

On October 16, 1986 the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was signed into law by the U.S. Congress. Title III of this act is also know as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

This act requires every county in the nation to form and maintain an LEPC. It empowers citizens and emergency responders with the right to know what chemicals exist in communities where they live and work. It mandated planning for chemical emergencies and established a chain of command to assure that the requirements are met.

Chairman/Vice Chairman (2024):

• Chairman: Dave Coffey, Chief of Danville Fire Department 
• Vice Chairman: Scott Hutcherson, Deputy Director of Public Safety for Pittsylvania County

Meetings (2024):

• February 8 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• April 11 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center
• June 13 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• August 8 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center
• October 10 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• December 12 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center

Agendas & Minutes

2024 Meetings

• February 8 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• April 11 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center
• June 13 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• August 8 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center
• October 10 at 12:00 p.m., Danville Fire Department, Station 1
• December 12 at 12:00 p.m., Chatham Community Center 

Function

Under EPCRA, an LEPC is the focal point for chemical emergency response planning and implementation in a community. The LEPC's key responsibilities are:

• Assisting local governments in developing hazardous materials emergency response plans
• Evaluating the community's need for resources to respond to hazardous materials emergencies
• Processing requests from the public for information on hazardous chemicals in their communities

The LEPC serves as a focal point in the community for information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and health and environmental risks due to hazardous substances.

An LEPC can most effectively carry out its responsibilities as a community forum by taking steps to educate the public about chemical risks, and working with facilities to minimize those risks. However, an LEPC's ability to improve the safety and health of its community is only as effective as the support it receives from an informed and active citizenry.

Citizen Corps

This section was also developed as the local sector of Virginia Corps known as Citizen Corps, which localizes the national homeland security and preparedness initiative. Virginia's Citizen Corps will help residents make their communities safer from emergencies and disasters by getting them involved in these preparedness efforts.

It showcases our dedication to the citizens of Pittsylvania County by providing access to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information, issues related to disasters, emergency planning, and community right-to-know at the local level.