Local Emergency Planning Committee |
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**Information for Anne Arundel County Tier II Facilities**
New Reporting Requirements for 2009 Submissions!
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The Anne Arundel County Local Emergency Planning Committee was established in accordance with the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, Title III, Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act of 1986. The group coordinates planning for hazardous materials incident response and the dissemination of information regarding chemical hazards in the community. Committee Members represent the following groups or organizations: elected officials, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement, health, emergency management, media, hospitals, federal facilities, community groups, and owners and operators of facilities using or storing hazardous materials.
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| For additional information on the Local Emergency Planning Committeequarterly meetings, or provisions of the SARA, Title III, contact: |
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Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
7480 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.
Emergency Operations Center (Room)
Glen Burnie, MD 21601 Fax: (410) 222-0690
Phone: (410) 222-0600 TDD: (410) 222-8747 | | Upcoming Meetings: | | Location: OEM | | | Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | | Dates: | | April 28, 2010 | July 29, 2010 |
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| If you suspect a hazardous materials incident, call 911. |
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| What are hazardous materials? | What should motorists do? |
| What is Shelter-in-Place? | When is Evacuation necessary? |
What is a hazardous materials incident? | What is the Community Right To Know Act? |
| What is the Emergency Alert System (EAS)? | |
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| What are Hazardous Materials? |
Hazardous materials are substances or materials which, because of there chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released. Hazardous materials are used, transported or stored throughout Anne Arundel County. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the US Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) all cooperate in the setting of standards for the safe use and movement of hazardous materials and regulate their presence in the community. Hazardous substances pose no threat to the citizens of the community or the environment if they are properly stored, contained, handled and transported. Facilities holding any of the EPA-listed chemicals in quantities above specific threshold planning quantities must report their inventory within 60 days of bringing the material on site and then annually by March 1 to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) , the local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and the County Fire Department. Facilities required to hold a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for a hazardous chemical defined by OSHA must also report their inventory annually by March 1 if they hold more than 10,000 pounds. This information is reported on Tier II inventory forms. The LEPC, in conjunction with the County Fire Department, is working to assure full compliance with these requirements of the law. |
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| Tier II Facilities |
Tier II Facilities are now required to report online directly to MDE! Reporting online will eliminate multiple mailings, retyping the same data year after year and data entry errors while accessing chemical information and resources all in one place. Electronic filings are automatically sent to Anne Arundel County LEPC. Facilites will still need to mail a copy of their Tier II report to their local fire department for the 2009 reporting period.
Get Started using Maryland Online Tier II Reporting System (MOTTRS)
For more information, go to http://www.mde.state.md.us/BusinessInfoCenter/crtk/tier2reporting.asp |
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| What is a Hazardous Material Incident? |
A Hazardous Material (HazMat) incident is an accidental release of toxic materials, fluids or vapors into the environment, creating a potential hazard. If you suspect a hazardous materials incident, call 911. When a hazardous materials emergency occurs, the County Fire Department is the lead agency for response. The Department operates a specially trained Hazardous Materials Response Unit outfitted with equipment to handle major HazMat incidents. The LEPC chairman is designated as the "Community Emergency Coordinator." Regular reviews are made of HazMat response procedures, and HazMat exercises are conducted periodically. Public notification of a HazMat incident will be accomplished by activating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for announcements on local radio and TV stations (See EAS radio stations). In the event of a HazMat incident, citizens may be instructed by government officials either to shelter-in-place or to evacuate an area, depending on the nature of the incident and weather conditions. Fire Department and police vehicles with loudspeakers may be used to go through affected neighborhoods providing instruction on evacuation or shelter-in-place. |
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| What is Shelter-in-Place? |
| Shelter-in-Place will be the preferred action in cases where citizens might be placed in greater danger if they were to go outdoors into a toxic plume than if they remain inside taking advantage of the clean air within the building. When instructed to shelter-in-place, turn off heat, air-conditioning and fans; close vents, windows and doors, and seal any cracks. Keep your radio or television on a local station for further instructions. When the danger is past you will be advised that it is safe to open your home or building for ventilation and to go outside. |
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| When is Evacuation Necessary? |
| Evacuation of an area may be indicated when there is advance warning of a hazard, the possibility of explosion, or the danger of long-term exposure. Police and Fire Department responders using sirens, loudspeakers and door-to-door alert will advise residents of the evacuation. An assembly area or shelter will be designated by the Incident Commander, and the best routes to reach the assembly or shelter area will be identified. |
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| What Should Motorists Do? |
| Motorists encountering vehicular accidents involving hazardous materials should avoid driving through any spilled materials, smoke or vapor clouds. Report the accident as soon as possible by calling 911. Close your vehicle windows and turn off air-conditioner, vents or heater until you are sure there is no danger of contamination. If police or Fire Department personnel are on the scene, follow their directions. Keep your radio tuned to a local radio station to receive any EAS announcements regarding the incident. |
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| What is the Community Right to Know Act? |
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, Title III, legislation requires that the LEPC establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for information on hazardous materials in the community. Citizens wishing right-to-know information may contact the Fire Department Emergency Management Bureau, at (410) 222-0600 (TDD (410) 222-8747). Written requests for information may be sent directly to SARA Information Request, Department of the Environment, Hazardous Waste Program, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21122. |
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| What is the Emergency Alert System (EAS)? |
| In the event of a HazMat incident or other emergency, tune to these radio stations: |
WYRE 810 AM | WRNR 103.1 FM |
WBAL 1090 AM | WFSI 107.9 FM |
WNAV 1430 AM | WIYY 97.9 FM |
WJRO 1590 AM | |
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