What are Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)?

LEPCs must develop an emergency response plan, review it at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens.  Plans are developed by Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) with stakeholder participation. There is one LEPC for each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):

Elected state and local officials
Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
Facility representatives
Representatives from community groups and the media

Meeting dates for LEPC Meetings

Jan 26  10:00 AM  Parish Council Meeting Room 
Apr 27 10:00 AM  Parish Council  Meeting Room
Jul  27 10:00 AM  Parish Council  Meeting Room
Oct  26 10:00 AM  Parish Council  Meeting Room

St. Mary LEPC Members:

Duval Arthur (Chairman) St. Mary Parish Government OHSEP Director serves on the Town Council in Berwick, and Retired United States Army Sergeant Major.  Completed the LEM Certification and is a Graduate of Nicholls State University.

Paul Rappmundt (Member) OHSEP Assistant Director, Civil Air Patrol Wing Commander, trained Law Enforcement Officer and in Fire Rescue. Self-employed business owner (P & K Machine Shop)

Joan Adams (Member) State Public Health Supervisor for St. Mary Parish, serves on numerous volunteer service organizations, assisted Parish OEP with Evacuations and Sheltering. She also served several years on the previous LEPC Commission.

Jimmy Broussard (Member) Retired Lieutenant Colonel with the LA Nat Guard, Retired Captain with the Franklin Police Department. Now serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Special Operations and Maintains the 700-800 radios for the Sheriff's Office. Also serves on the State SEIC Interoperable Communications Commission.

Brad Weise (Member) Facilities Supervisor St. Mary School Board. Serves on the Parish Sheltering Committee for the EOP.

Jillian Fisher (Secretary) OHSEP Administrative Assistant,  has worked for St. Mary Parish Government for several years in the Personnel  and Insurance Departments. Handles Emergency Passes for Tier I and II, and Inventory of Emergency Equipment for the Parish.

Tammy Luke (Treasurer) Has been working in the OHSEP Section for several years; handling the EMPG Grant, and TIER II Reporting.  She also assists with the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program, and issues Parish Planning Zoning Permits. She puts in countless hours coaching Youth Sports Programs and serves on several Volunteer Organizations.

Kenny Scelfo (Member) Kenny has held several positions in the Oilfield over the years and presently serves as  a Safety Supervisor  for El Paso Petroleum. Kenny is a dedicated Volunteer in several organizations in this community and also was elected to serve on the Franklin City Council.

Dean Adams (Member) Presently serves as the Assistant Chief of the  Morgan City Fire Department. He  is a member of the St. Mary Communications District 911 Board. He serves on numerous volunteer groups and coaches in several of the Youth Programs for the City of Morgan City.

Chris Hunter (Member) Chris has been the News anchor at KWBJ-TV 39 for several years. He has many other duties at KWBJ to include handling the Prep Quiz Bowl”, Area Sports reports, and is a volunteer Master of Ceremonies for several organizations.

Mission

The mission of the Local Emergency Planning Committee is to:

• Develop a comprehensive hazardous materials emergency response plan for our community. To be effective, planning must be an ongoing activity.
• Receive and record information about chemical releases
• Collect, manage, and provide public access to information on hazardous chemicals in our area.
• Educate the public about the risks from accidental and routine releases of chemicals and work with facilities to minimize the risks.