What is the MGCLERC?

MGCLERC is the Montgomery Greene County Local Emergency Response Council. It is the local emergency planning committee serving the joint local emergency planning district including both Greene and Montgomery Counties in southwest Ohio. The MGCLERC was formed to fulfill local obligations for emergency response planning required under both SARA Title III and Chapter 3750 of the Ohio Revised Code. MGCLERC membership must represent 12 categories of officials from the public and private sectors that are important to emergency response planning. The MGCLERC also maintains a database of information from reporting facilities in Montgomery and Greene Counties. Citizens interested in what hazardous chemicals may be reported by facilities in their neighborhood may obtain information from the MGCLERC Information Coordinator.

Who is SARA?

SARA is NOT a person! It is the abbreviation for Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, a law passed to allow communities access to chemical information for emergency planning purposes.

What are hazardous chemicals?

Hazardous chemicals are defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations as chemicals representing either a potential physical or health hazard. Thousands of chemicals fall under this definition, primarily related to potential exposure in work environments. Some physical hazards associated with chemicals include flammability, explosiveness, or they may react with water to produce hazardous conditions. Others may be unstable or react with other chemicals to produce gases, thus presenting a potential fire or explosive hazard. Chemicals with short-term health hazards may be toxic, poisonous, irritants, or corrosive. Long-term health hazards include such things as carcinogens. Each of these chemicals should have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) explaining the characteristics and hazards associated with hazardous chemicals.

What is an LEPC?

A Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a board established by the State Emergency response Commission for each emergency planning district in Ohio. In Ohio, each county has an LEPC, except for Montgomery and Greene Counties, which have a two-county LEPC. The members of the LEPC are appointed by the State Emergency Response Commission from a list of names recommended by the County Commissioners. The LEPC membership must have representatives from local elected officials, fire, law enforcement, emergency management, hospitals, first aid, health departments, local environmental officials, transportation, broadcast and print media, community groups, and regulated facilities. The LEPC is required to prepare a chemical emergency response plan, keep the plan updated, annually exercise the plan, conduct a compliance program, and provide information to the public as requested. The LEPC must also meet on a periodic basis and elect officers.

How can I tell if something is hazardous?

Hazardous chemicals must be properly labeled. Packaging must have words, pictures, symbols, or a combination of them, conveying the hazard of the chemical in the container. Truck and railroad cars have diamond-shaped placards and/or painted orange rectangles to indicate they are carrying hazardous materials. The placards indicate the hazard and substance by identifying colors and numbers. Bulk storage containers often have similar placards. Pipelines are marked at road, stream, and property crossings. In work environments, most employers have a hazard communication program in place to inform workers of potential risks involved with hazardous chemicals. In such programs, workers can access a material safety data sheet (MSDS) that identifies potential health and safety risks involved with handling a hazardous chemical.

Common Hazardous Materials Placards

How can I get involved?

You can become involved by attending MGCLERC meetings. The MGCLERC is required to address emergency response planning from a number of different perspectives, including citizen and community groups. The MGCLERC has accomplished much over the last ten years with assistance from volunteers.

How can I find out if a company in my neighborhood has hazardous chemicals?

Contact:

MGCLERC Information Coordinator
One Dayton Centre
One South Main St., Suite 260
Dayton, Ohio 45402
937.223.6323