LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Planning Today.
Prepared Tomorrow.
The Louisville / Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) connects industry, emergency responders, and regulators to strengthen chemical hazard preparedness in our community. We work before incidents happen — building the relationships, planning, and public understanding that make a coordinated response possible.
RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD
Serving Louisville & the surrounding area
Our LEPC mission is to work to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical accidents. Through planning, training, and collaboration, the committee supports clear communication and fast, coordinated action when incidents occur. We work to protect public health and safety while building a more a more informed resilient community across Louisville and the greater Jefferson County area.
Opt-in for LENSAlert with your cell phone! Text “LENSAlert” to 67283 to start receiving emergency notifications.
Why the LEPC Exists
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Federally mandated coalition
The LEPC was established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which requires every community in the country to organize a planning committee focused on chemical hazard preparedness.
Focused on preparedness, not response
The LEPC is not a fire department, hazmat team, or emergency operations center. We are the coalition that helps those organizations work as one — before, not during, an incident.
Builds cross-sector relationships
Industry representatives, first responders, and regulatory partners meet through the LEPC so the people who would coordinate during an incident already know one another. Familiar faces save minutes when minutes matter. Industry partners are invited to participate. Check out our meeting calendar here. Meetings are open to the public.
Supports chemical hazard reporting
Federal law requires facilities that store certain hazardous chemicals to report what they have and where. The LEPC helps coordinate reporting compliance for those facilities and make sure that information flows correctly to the agencies that need it.
Increases public understanding of chemical hazards
Another priority for the LEPC is to translate technical information into clear, practical guidance for our community. We support information sharing about chemical hazards through our Chemical Hazard Communication course and partnerships with regional preparedness tools like LENSAlert, Smart911, and the LouReady app.
Emergency Planning Resources
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Louisville/Jefferson County Emergency Operations Plan
The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is the comprehensive plan that guides emergency response across Jefferson County. It is developed and maintained by Louisville Emergency Management and is updated every five years.
View the current Louisville/Jefferson County EOP: 2025 Louisville/Jefferson County Emergency Operations Plan (PDF).
LEPC's role in the EOP
The LEPC is not the author of the Emergency Operations Plan, but the organizations represented within the LEPC — Fire, EMS, law enforcement, public health, industry, and regulatory partners – are among contributors listed in the EOP.
Louisville Metro Hazard Mitigation Plan
Louisville’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, prepared by Louisville Emergency Management in coordination with local, state, and federal partners every five years, identifies disaster risks and vulnerabilities specific to our community and outlines long-term strategies to lessen their impact and better protect people and property.
View the most up-to-date Hazard Mitigation Plan here (PDF).
During a Chemical Incident
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The LEPC's role during an incident
Chemical incidents are led by trained emergency professionals — including Louisville Emergency Management, local fire departments, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, and other local, state, and federal partners. The LEPC supports the information environment around the response. We do not direct or replace the agencies leading the work.
We support clear public communication
The LEPC helps ensure that the language used by responders and public information officers — terms like shelter-in-place, evacuation zone, and toxic inhalation hazard — is explained in plain language the public can act on. Our standing educational materials are designed so that when residents hear those terms during a live event, they already know what they mean.
We do not speculate
The LEPC does not announce the chemical involved, the cause of the incident, the size of a plume, or how long the response will last. Those determinations belong to the lead response agencies.
Where to get verified information
Follow official sources: LENSAlert notifications, updates from Louisville Emergency Management, and statements released by the responding agencies. Avoid sharing unverified social media reports.
What You Should Do
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Prepare before you ever hear an alert
Knowing what to do before an emergency happens is the single most valuable step you can take. You can review preparedness resources here on this website, the free LouReady app, and on Ready.gov. Be sure to to stay informed with emergency notifications and help responders help you.
If you are told to shelter-in-place
Go indoors. Close doors and windows. Turn off HVAC systems that pull in outside air. Stay tuned to official updates until you are told it is safe.
If you are told to evacuate
Follow designated evacuation routes and directions from emergency officials and do not return until official sources say it is safe.
- Take your emergency kit, important documents, medications, and essential supplies with you.
- Know where you are going, whether it is the home of a friend or family member, a hotel, or a designated shelter.
- If you have pets, plan ahead for pet-friendly accommodations, as many public shelters only allow service animals.
Preparing ahead of time and evacuating promptly when instructed can help keep you and your family safe during emergencies.
LENSAlert — Louisville Emergency Notification System
LENSAlert is the free regional emergency notification system serving Jefferson and surrounding counties. Alerts can reach you by phone, text, email, and social media. To sign up, text LENSAlert to 67283.
LouReady — Preparedness tips in your pocket
LouReady is Louisville’s free emergency preparedness app, with checklists, hazard guides, and local resources all in one place. Download the LouReady app.
Smart911 — Help responders help you
Meet the Board
Mike Reagan
Chair
Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Emergency Preparedness Planner
Coming Soon
Vice Chair
Monica Harkins-Graves
Treasurer
Louisville Metro Emergency Services
Assistant Director of Public Information/PIO
Sarah Hageman
Secretary
Louisville Metro311 Interim Manager
CONTACT LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Please fill out the information below and someone from the board will be in touch shortly. If you have an emergency please call 911 immediately.
NEWS & EVENTS
Upcoming Meetings
Chemical Hazard Communication Course
