KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Meeting dates for the Kosciusko County Local Emergency Planning Committee have been announced for 2017. All meetings are open to the public.

Dates for 2017 will be Feb. 9, May 11, Aug. 10 and Nov. 9. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. in the Justice Building, video conference room, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.

Officers for the 2017 year will be Ed Rock, LEPC chairman; Mike Cox, vice chairman and Cathy Reed, administrative assistant.

Kosciusko County LEPC was formed as a result of the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. Its purpose is to provide citizens and emergency responders with information about chemicals in Kosciusko County. The law requires communities plan for chemical emergencies and establish a chain of command using the National Incident Management System to make sure requirements are met. The LEPC is part of the chain of command.

The LEPC doesn’t plan emergencies, it plans for them. Worst-case scenarios become the focus of intensive exercises that test communications, command and control, field operations, equipment, and other aspects of an emergency response plan. Emergency responders from industries, community organizations and government agencies work hand-in-hand to share information and training opportunities. Drills are held in different areas of the county to test and enhance skills.

Tabletop exercises are sometimes used in place of full scale drills for planning emergency response.