Public meeting set for June 28th for Local Emergency Planning Committee to review hazmat plan

A public meeting of the Washington County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be held virtually and in-person on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the County’s hazmat plan (Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan).

The meeting will be held in person at the Washington County Street Conference Center in Downtown Hillsboro (102 SW Washington St., Hillsboro, OR 97123). The virtual platform for this meeting will be Zoom, click the link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85213319827?pwd=dE44Q0k3RjZXSnVPaUxPOHhZNTQ2UT09#success

Hazardous materials are present throughout our community, in business, industry and agriculture, on our road and rail ways and in our homes. These industries are subject to regulations designed to minimize risks of spills. Nonetheless, unplanned releases can occur at any time and may be caused by other incidents such as fires, floods and earthquakes. The hazmat plan describes how responders will work together to identify releases, protect health and safety, limit and stop a release, and carry out other emergency actions.

The purpose of this meeting is for the committee to review the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan (HMERP) and gather feedback on it. Each year the LEPC reviews and makes necessary updates to the plan. This year the County has substantially revised the plan. A draft is available for review at: www.emcwc.org/emergency-management-cooperative-washington-county.

To submit questions or comments to Washington County Emergency Management about the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan, send an email to [email protected] or call (503) 846-7575. All are welcomed to provide their comments and questions in person at the June 28th meeting as well. More information is available at the Emergency Management Cooperative website.

About the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC):

The LEPC is a multi-sector committee responsible for coordinating planning and preparedness for hazardous materials incidents such as chemical spills. Washington County formed its LEPC in 2022. The LEPC is a forum where industries, first responders, emergency managers, public health, and other representatives can work together to plan and prepare for emergencies involving dangerous chemicals. The LEPC meets quarterly. June 28, 2023, will be the next meeting.

###