NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE 2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville FL 32653-1603 -- (352) 955-2200 x108 -- fax 955-2209

March 10, 2000

Re: Hazardous Materials Spill Prevention Week

Dear Editor:

The North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and many local governments are proclaiming the week of March 19 - 25, 2000, as Hazardous Materials Spill Prevention Week. Educating the public is important to increasing chemical safety in our communities.

One goal of Hazardous Materials Spill Prevention Week is to let the public know that the LEPC and emergency responders are now working with facilities that have chemicals to prevent releases from happening. In the past, we have mainly focused on how to respond to a spill. Because of the EPA's new Accident Prevention Program, more is being done to prevent spills than ever before.

The public should also know that many telephone books now contain emergency actions that the public may be asked to take during a chemical release. Do you know how to protect your family by sheltering in place?

Another goal is to remind citizens that we all have a "Right-to-Know" about risks from hazardous materials stored in our communities. The LEPC provides public access to chemical inventories and emergency plans. Free hazardous materials response training is available for emergency responders.

If you have any questions about your Right-to-Know or what is being done to protect your community from chemical releases, call LEPC staff coordinator Dwayne Mundy at (352) 955-2200 ext.108, email mundy@ncfrpc.org or visit our web page at www.ncflepc.org.

Sincerely,

John Hudson
Chairman

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