Local Emergency Planning Committee
The mission of the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is to serve the citizens of the Parish through effective planning for natural and man-made disasters. Our goal is to save lives and to protect property through the coordination of an integrated emergency management system with all emergency response organizations, support services and volunteers. We will be an advocate for greater community efforts, including educating the general public to mitigate and prepare for potential emergencies. We will support efforts to train and exercise emergency responders in both the public and private sectors. We will manage and coordinate efforts toward a rapid recovery from disasters with an effective disaster assistance program. This office will be the point of distribution of Homeland Security information and intelligence to agencies throughout the parish. We are committed to effective actions designed to prevent some disasters and to reduce the impact of those over which we have no control.
About the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), as established pursuant to Section 301 of SARA Title III, shall prepare regional hazardous materials emergency plans that indicate the facilities that use, produce, or store hazardous substances that are present in the jurisdiction. The LEPC shall serve as the repository for regional reports filed under Title III. The LEPC shall direct regionally Title III implementation activities and perform associated outreach functions to increase awareness and understanding of compliance with the Title III program.
The LEPC is tasked with housing all TIER II and reportable through the “right to know act”. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPCRA requires facilities handling hazardous chemicals to report their presence and properties to local authorities, including LEPC’s. The public also has the right to request information from the LEPC about the hazardous chemicals in their community and the emergency response plans. LEPCs are responsible for making this information accessible to the public.
Ascension Parish TIER II Reports may be submitted to the LEPC via e-mail at oep@apgov.us. An electronic version is preferred.
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Dispatch 911 Center serves as the LEPC answering point for all reportables in Ascension Parish. Reportables should be made by calling 225-621-8300, calling 911 or reporting on the CAER radio of an incident.
Annual Tier II Reporting Submission:
Louisiana requires facilities to submit electronic inventory reports using the Louisiana State Police Tier II Inventory filing website. Required reporting offers hazardous substances being used, produced or stored at their facilities, and other information necessary to support LEPC’s in developing emergency plans for chemical accidents. Submitting copies of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), a list of its hazardous chemicals grouped by hazard category, or their Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting form to the EPA, SERC, LEPC, and local fire department.
Louisiana State Police, Tier II Electronic Filing
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Serves as the lead agency in all Hazardous Material Events. The Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness serves as a coordinating agency. If the Hazmat team needs assistance, the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness may request resources from the state of Louisiana.
Right To Know
Ascension Parish citizens have a right and responsibility to know about and protect themselves from risks and effects of hazardous materials in their environment. All information related to hazardous material “right to know” request should be made via a Public Records Request.
All information related to hazardous material “right to know” request should be made via a Public Records Request.