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Iowa Emergency Response Commission's Mission The Iowa Emergency Response Commission's mission is to assist in improving communities' preparedness for handling chemical accidents, promoting cooperation among state and local government and industry, increasing public awareness of chemicals in the community and building information databases. History of the Iowa Emergency Response Commission The Iowa Emergency Response Commission was created by statute in 1989 after a requirement for a state commission was established by Congress in the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. Initially, the Commission established Iowa's 99 counties as Local Emergency Planning Districts with the option for multiple counties to merge as a single district. Pursuant to federal law, the Commission appoints members to a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in each district. The LEPCs 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. Funding for the activities of the commission come from the Iowa General Assembly, and grants from US EPA, US DOT and FEMA. |
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