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EPA TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON EMERGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE

Release Date: 08/03/2005
Contact Information:

Environmental News
Shawntell Martin
(913) 551-7066
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2005

EPA TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON EMERGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE

EPA Region 7’s emergency response conference Aug. 18-21 will offer updated information on hazardous materials, emergency planning and environmental risks to communities in the Region 7 states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee/Tribal Emergency Response Commission Conference will be at the Clarion Sports Complex Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. It is sponsored by EPA in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and tribal, state and local governments.

A local emergency planning committee (LEPC) is a group that unites emergency services, such as police and fire departments, with local industries and others to plan for, prevent and respond to emergencies and environmental hazards. About 350 registered LEPCs assist communities in the four Region 7 states. Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs) are similar groups that serve the nine tribal nations of Region 7.

Conference attendees participate in various technical sessions covering such topics as radiation, homeland security, health and medical issues, federal/state response and the basics of emergency planning.

The conference will include an award ceremony to acknowledge the exceptional work of Region 7 LEPCs and TERCs and the industries involved in protecting Region 7 communities.

More information about the conference is available from EPA’s Steve Wurtz at (913) 551-7315. Wurtz can also be contacted through Region 7’s toll-free hot line at (800) 223-0425 and by e-mail at [email protected].