Comité local de planificación de emergencias
Objetivo
El LEPC lleva a cabo capacitaciones sobre cómo cumplir, responde consultas públicas sobre el cumplimiento de la EPCRA, mantiene los inventarios de productos químicos para la inspección pública de conformidad con las disposiciones del derecho a saber de la comunidad de la EPCRA, brinda asistencia técnica a las instalaciones que informan conforme a la EPCRA, promueve la concientización sobre los materiales peligrosos y prepara y actualiza el Plan Integral de Respuesta a Emergencias para la Región.
El LEPC también utilizará los fondos de la subvención de preparación para emergencias de materiales peligrosos (HMEP) del Departamento de Transporte de los Estados Unidos para realizar capacitaciones y ejercicios de respuesta a materiales peligrosos de bajo costo o gratuitos para empleados del sector público.
Afiliación
Los miembros de LEPC están formados por profesionales locales que representan categorías ocupacionales como medio ambiente, extinción de incendios, aplicación de la ley, gestión de emergencias, salud, representantes de instalaciones industriales, grupos comunitarios, medios de comunicación, transporte y funcionarios electos estatales y locales.
Historia
El LEPC se creó en 1988 bajo la estructura y la guía establecidas por la Ley de Enmiendas y Reautorización del Superfondo de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (SARA), el Título III de la Ley de Derecho a Saber de la Comunidad en Emergencias (EPCRA) y la División de Gestión de Emergencias del Estado de Florida (FDEM).
El Congreso promulgó la EPCRA para ayudar a las comunidades locales a proteger la salud y la seguridad públicas y el medio ambiente de los peligros químicos. Además, establece una asociación pública/privada única entre entidades gubernamentales y la industria para la planificación y la notificación de sustancias químicas peligrosas y tóxicas.
La LEPC, establecida de conformidad con la ECPRA, deberá:
elaborar planes regionales de emergencia de materiales peligrosos que indiquen las instalaciones que utilizan, producen y/o almacenan sustancias peligrosas presentes en la región;
servir como repositorio de informes regionales presentados bajo el Título III;
actividades directas de implementación regional del Título III; y
realizar funciones de divulgación asociadas para aumentar la conciencia, la comprensión y el cumplimiento del Programa del Título III.
Public Outreach
Several meetings were held with county and municipal staff, community organizations and champions, and the public to gain an understanding of the specific needs of the community in underserved areas based on their experiences. The outcomes of these meetings informed the specific strategies and recommendations of the AAA.
Meeting 1: County and Municipal Staff – December 18, 2024
A virtual meeting was held with staff from Unincorporated Highlands County and surrounding communities including the City of Avon Park, City of Sebring, Town of Lake Placid, to gain insight regarding vulnerable areas and the challenges they face, particularly related to flooding. Additionally, attendees provided details related to upcoming plans and projects within each jurisdiction.
Meeting 2: Community Organizations – Weeks of January 6 and 13, 2025
Key community organizations and non-profits from the County and City attended this virtual meeting to share their insights based on their services and relationships to the community. Participants included Highway Park and Heartland Coalition for the Homeless. They discussed challenges such as transportation, access to food, and flooding.
Meeting 3: Underserved Communities – January 11, 2025
Hosted at the Town of Lake Placid's Government Center, this meeting was open to the public. Participants shared their experiences with flooding, giving specific examples of areas of flooding, poor walkability, and challenges of rehabilitation following a disaster.
Proposed Adaptation Strategies
The following strategy ideas are intended to address the climate threats identified by the vulnerability assessment and the concerns discussed during public outreach through protection, accommodation, relocation, and avoidance. The recommendations consider a variety of approaches, including nature-based solutions, policy changes, infrastructure improvements, partnerships and collaboration, and funding mechanisms. Through a comprehensive set of strategies, Highlands County can ensure a resilient future for the entire community.
Adaptation Strategy Ideas
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Implement/strengthen stormwater systems. Increase maintenance of drainage systems and infrastructure
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Implement stormwater infrastructure with a focus on green infrastructure when feasible (e.g., bioswales, parks, greenways, buffers, stronger riparian area, etc.)
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Utilize federal, state, and local funding to support development/updates to affordable housing
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Identify grant funding opportunities
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Establish a County buy-out program and offer incentives to community to move out of flood zones. Educate community on repetitive flooding
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Identify and apply for grant funding/partnership opportunities to expand public transportation options
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Increase multi-use path construction throughout County
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Develop partnerships to create mobile markets and farm-to-community program
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Promote telehealth services to provide remote consultations and reduce the need to travel for medical care
Proposed Adaptation Strategies Summary Document
Adaptation Strategies Community/County/Municipality Comments with Strategies
Informational Flyer
Highlands County CHNEP Project Handout
Funding Partners
The County and the CFRPC are working in partnership with the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) to develop Adaptation Action Areas to address the impacts of extreme rainfall and flooding impacts as well as increased temperatures, extreme wind and storm events and housing and transportation. The focus of this effort is underserved communities. This project is funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Cooperative Agreement Funding to the CHNEP from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
