The Memphis/Shelby County LEPC is an organization mandated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, or EPCRA. MSCLEPC works collectively with public safety, private industry and the community to provide guidance for emergency planning in the event of an accidental hazardous material incident. The LEPC is made up of elected officials, members of law enforcement, emergency management, fire departments, transportation, hospitals, the health department, representatives of the community, industry and the print and broadcast media.

Role of the LEPC

The LEPC serves as a liaison in the community for information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and health and environmental risks. The community can expect the LEPC to reply to questions about chemical hazards and risk management.

We have other responsibilities besides working with our local emergency management agencies in developing emergency response plans. The LEPC receives chemical release and hazardous chemical inventory information submitted by local facilities, and makes this information available to the public at the Memphis and Shelby County Emergency Management Agency. Just call and ask or, come down and see us!

The LEPC has the authority to request additional information from facilities for their own planning purposes or on behalf of others. The LEPC can also visit facilities in the community to find out what they are doing to reduce hazards, prepare for accidents, and reduce hazardous inventories and releases.

As an "unfunded mandate" the LEPC has no annual budget and relies on support from its members and grants.