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 30  10:00 AM  Parish Council Meeting Room 
Apr 30 10:00 AM  Parish Council  Meeting Room
Jul  30 10:00 AM  Parish Council  Meeting Room
Oct  29 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)

Kayla Guerrero (Member) Region 3 Office of Public Health, Public Health Nurse , assisted Parish OEP with Evacuations and Sheltering.

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.

Charlie Ibert (Member) Safety Director,  Franklin Foundation Hospital.

Janet Marcotte (Secretary) OHSEP Administrative Assistant,  has worked for St. Mary Parish Government directly serving as Ohsep Secretary. Handles Emergency Passes for Tier I and II, and Inventory of Emergency Equipment for the Parish.

Joan Simon (Member) Has been working in the OHSEP Section for several years. She is an active volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Byron Mayea (Member) Byron is currently Safety Manager, Cabot Corporation. .

Daryl Perry  (Member) Presently serves as the  Chief of the Bayou Vista Fire Department.

Vanessa Pritchett (Member)Vanessa has been the News Reporter of the Franklin Banner Tribune for several years.

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.