Introduction to the DeKalb CERP

The Local Emergency Planning Committee

The U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right–to–know Act (EPCRA) requires the states to establish Local Emergency Planning Committees, and each Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to prepare a Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (CERP) for its jurisdiction.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) designated the DeKalb County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) after Governor Jim Thompson named IEMA as the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) in 1987.

This county, which has been defined as the DeKalb County LEPC jurisdiction, is bounded by Kane County on the east, Kendall County to the east and southeast, LaSalle County to the south and southwest, Lee and Ogle Counties to the west, Winnebago County to the northwest, Boone County to the north, and McHenry County to the north and northeast. Wisconsin is immediately north of Winnnebago, Boone and McHenry Counties. DeKalb County is nearly rectangular in shape, approximately 18 miles (29 km) east to west and 36 miles (58 km) north to south. The map at the left shows the size and location of DeKalb County within Illinois.

IEMA appointed the DeKalb County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Committee was organized, with Bylaws created, on June 21, 2001.

The Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan

The DeKalb Co. LEPC is required under Title III of the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), otherwise known as the Emergency Planning & Community Right–to–know Act (EPCRA) to create a Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (CERP).

The purpose of the CERP, which you are now reading, is to document Hazardous Materials planning in DeKalb County. Initially, the CERP is expected to plan for releases of Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) as defined by EPCRA. The CERP is a living document and we expect it to be updated frequently as we suggest and initiate improvements. Feedback from the public is not only welcomed, it is encouraged. If there is any part of this plan that you feel needs improvement, please let us know. You can contact us via e–mail at: Your feedback on our plans, and on our website in general, is most welcome.

CERP Requirements

This DeKalb County CERP must, at a minimum, comply with the requirements of EPCRA (specifically 42 USC §11003 — Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans). The required elements in the CERP under EPCRA are:

List of facilities that store EHS, routes likely to be used in the transport of EHS, and those facilities that contribute or subjected to additional risk due to proximity to facilities that store EHS. §11003(c)(1)
Methods and procedures to be followed by facility owners and local emergency and medical personnel to respond to any release of such substances (EHS). §11003(c)(2)
Designation of a community emergency coordinator and facility emergency coordinators. §11003(c)(3)
Procedures providing reliable, effective, and timely notification to persons designated in the emergency plan and to the public, that a release has occurred (consistent with §11004). §11003(c)(4)
Methods for determining the occurrence of a release, and the area or population likely to be affected by such release. §11003(c)(5)
Description of emergency equipment and facilities in the community and at each facility in the community (with EHS) and identification of persons responsible for such equipment and facilities. §11003(c)(6)
Evacuation plans, including provisions for a precautionary evacuation and alternative traffic routes. §11003(c)(7)
Training programs, including schedules for emergency response and medical personnel. §11003(c)(8)
Methods and schedules for exercising the emergency plan. §11003(c)(9)

This plan comprises nine sections. Each section corresponds to one of the plan requirements numbered above.

DeKalb County IL LEPC

Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan

Introduction to the DeKalb CERP

The Local Emergency Planning Committee

The Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan

CERP Requirements