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Our Role
The role of the Hawaii LEPC is to form partnerships with: local governments, communities, academia and
industries as a resource for enhancing hazardous materials preparedness. Local governments are
responsible for the integration of HAZMAT planning and response within their jurisdiction. This includes
ensuring the local hazard analysis adequately addresses hazmat incidents; incorporating planning for
hazmat incidents into the local emergency management plan and annexes; assessing capabilities and
developing hazmat response capability using local resources, mutual aid and contractors; training
responders; and exercising the plan.
EPCRA's emergency planning provisions are designed to promote the discovery and mitigation of risks
associated with chemical use. To reduce risks, prevention, preparedness, and quick response to
chemical emergencies are best. If properly executed, these three measures can make the difference
between disaster and slight inconvenience.
Prevention involves identifying the causes of, and reducing the potential for, chemical accidents to
occur. Proper safety measures, sound management practices, and preventive maintenance all reduce
the potential for chemical accidents. No chemical safety management program can be guaranteed 100
percent effective.
Preparedness involves anticipating accidents that may occur despite prevention measures, and
developing contingency, or emergency response, plans. Emergency response plans help facilities and
local and state governments respond to accidents quickly and efficiently. These plans outline the
procedures a facility and the community should follow in responding to a release. When accidents occur,
it is imperative that the various players in the response process know their roles and use their resources
wisely.
The emergency planning process has a greater impact than the plan itself, encouraging awareness,
communication, and coordination of efforts.