The Local Emergency Planning Committee will conduct a special meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Justice Building in Warsaw.

The 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 that communities plan for chemical emergencies and establish a chain of command using the National Incident Management System to make sure that requirements are met. The LEPC is part of the chain of command.

The LEPC does not 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 our skills. Tabletop exercises are sometimes used in place of full scale drills for planning emergency response.