What is a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)?
The Governor of each state is required in EPCRA legislation to designated a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) that is responsible for implementing EPCRA provisions within the state. The SERC is made up of members representing segments of the private and public sectors appointed by the governor. The SERC's duties include:

• Establishing procedures for receiving and processing public requests for information collected under EPCRA
• Reviewing local emergency response plans
• Designating local emergency planning districts
• Appointing a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each district
• Supervising the activities of the LEPC

Who serves on the SERC?
The Commission is composed of 15 members appointed by the governor to a three-year term. Officers are elected in May of each year. Commission membership is made up of representatives from private industry, local government groups, and state agencies.

Member Breakdown


• 3 members representing facility owners and operators,
• 1 from the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship,
• 1 from Iowa Workforce Development,
• 1 from the Department of Justice,
• 1 from the Department of Natural Resources,
• 1 from the Department of Public Defense,
• 1 from the Department of Public Health,
• 1 from the Department of Public Safety,
• 1 from the Department of Transportation,
• 1 representative from Iowa's Local Emergency Planning Committees,
• 1 representative from the State Fire Services and Emergency Response Council,
• 1 representative from the Iowa Hazardous Materials Task Force, and
• 1 representative from the Governor's Office.

What funding does the SERC receive?
Funding for the activities of the commission come from the Iowa General Assembly, and grants from US EPA, US DOT and FEMA.

How does the SERC support EPCRA efforts in Iowa?
The SERC supports Iowa's EPCRA efforts through LEPC and first responder training, LEPC program funding and grants, and coordinating the dissemination of EPCRA related information to the public through various state agencies and LEPCs.

What is a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)?
A Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is charged with coordinating EPCRA efforts at the local level. LEPCs must develop a local emergency response plan, review it at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens.

Who serves on the LEPC?
The LEPC makes recommendations of new members to the SERC. Then, pursuant to federal law, the SERC appoints or rejects the proposed members to the LEPC. The LEPCs are intended to have broad-based representation, including elected state or local officials, law enforcement, civil defense (emergency management), first aid (emergency medical services), fire fighting, health, local environmental, hospital, transportation, broadcast and print media, community groups and owners and operators of facilities subject to EPCRA's requirements. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):

• Elected state and local officials
• Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
• Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
• Facility representatives
• Representatives from community groups and the media

How do LEPCs support first responders and the public?
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) supports first responders and the public by developing and maintaining emergency plans for the LEPC's area. The LEPC also serves as a conduit for information from local industries and the state and federal government to the public. Through various grants the LEPC also can provide equipment and training to the first responders in its jurisdiction.

What is a Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC)?
Native American Tribal Nations have the same responsibilities as states under the Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act. Some tribes have established their own Tribal Emergency Response Commissions, while others have opted to enter into agreements with their Local Emergency Planning Committees.

How are TERCs formed?
Under sections 301-303 of EPCRA, States form State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs). Similarly, Tribal chief executive officers appoint Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs) to perform EPCRA required activities within tribal lands.

Who serves on the TERC?
The Tribal chief executive officer operates as the TERC when a TERC is not established or a cooperative agreement is not developed. If a tribe determines the establishment of a TERC is in its best interest the establishment follows the same procedure as the establishment of a state emergency response commission.

How does a TERC support first responders and the public?
TERCs have the same responsibilities for implementing EPCRA requirements as SERCs do (see response to question #4 above).