Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are appointed by State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs). LEPCs work together with government agencies (such as the EPA), local Community Advisory Panels (CAPs), chemical companies, and various groups involved in emergency response, to educated the general public, law enforcement, and first responders about the safe handling of chemicals. The St. Louis City Local Emergency Planning Committee is a group of volunteer representatives drawn from the community including emergency responders, law enforcement, industry, government, hospitals, schools, media, and concerned citizens. LEPC members represent their communities and serve as resources for citizens to learn about hazardous substances, emergency planning, as well as health and environmental risks in their neighborhoods. The mission of the St. Louis Local Emergency Planning Committee is to promote safety in the community through hazardous materials awareness, supporting planning efforts, encouraging cooperative partnerships between the community and industry, and developing and sponsoring educational and training programs relative to hazardous materials and situations for St. Louis, Emergency Responders, Industry, and the Community. How does the LEPC help the community? The City of St. Louis Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) acts as a coordinator for emergency preparedness planning in the City of St. Louis and exists to help coordinate, plan, prepare and train for disasters especially hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills. The LEPC provides the public with right-to-know information regarding the chemicals, the quantity, the location and the risk to the community. The City of St. Louis LEPC brings together businesses, the fire department, police department, hospitals and other agencies to help the community prepare for and prevent disasters.