The Risk Management Subcommittee was formed in 1998 as an ad-hoc committee of the Deer Park CAER/LEPC. Working with LEPC industry members and the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA), the Risk Management Subcommittee coordinates the LEPC's participation in the EPA's Risk Management Plan (RMP) program.

EPA REQUIRES RMP

Under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, the EPA required nearly 66,000 companies nationwide to submit Risk Management Plans by June 21, 1999. These plans explained how each company prevents chemical accidents at its facilities, minimizes the consequences of any accidents which do occur, and protects people "beyond their fenceline".

For more information about Risk Management Plans in general, click on the hotlink to the EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) website at http://www.epa.gov/swercepp

DEER PARK OPEN HOUSE

The Deer Park LEPC hosted an Open House at the Deer Park Recreation Center in January 1999 (five months ahead of the EPA deadline) so Deer Park companies could share their Risk Management Plans with local residents.  The East Harris County Manufacturers Association and other LEPC's hosted similar open houses were held in the Bay Area, Baytown, Channelview, Houston, La Porte, and Pasadena.

RMP REVIEW AND FOLLOW-UP

The Risk Management Subcommittee reviewed the worst-case scenarios submitted by Deer Park companies and concluded that, due to the many layers of back-up protection in place, worst-case scenarios have an extremely low probability of occurring.

While confident that existing emergency response plans provide effective protection for our community for potential chemical emergencies, the LEPC used the RMP process to identify six additional steps that could provide an extra measure of safety for the Deer Park community:

1.    IMPACT STUDIES:  The LEPC hired Radian Corporation to evaluate how well our residents who shelter in place are protected from a chemical release.  For the results of that study, click HERE.  The LEPC is now studying the impact of flammable explosions on windows in nearby homes and schools to make sure protection is adequate for all types of accident scenarios.   

2.    ADDITIONAL SHELTERS:  If the above-mentioned studies indicate a need, the LEPC will work with Deer Park ISD, Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Deer Park to increase the number of public shelters available in schools, public buildings, and businesses.

3.    ALERT RADIO:  The LEPC has upgraded the city's emergency radio station (AM 530) by adding higher-powered equipment to boost reception during emergencies.  AM 530 provides continuous information on what to do during a chemical emergency.

4.    MONITORING SYSTEMS:  The LEPC is working with industry on improving the speed by which the community is informed of chemical emergencies.  By increasing the monitoring of equipment, industry is able to provide quicker, more accurate information to the public.

5.    AIR QUALITY MONITORING:  The LEPC has added equipment to provide continual reports on the quality of the air surrounding area chemical plants and refineries.  Some of this additional equipment will give us early detection of releases.

6.    LISTENING AND RESPONDING:  The LEPC encourages citizen participation at each monthly meeting, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (excluding December) at 11 a.m. in City Council Chambers at Deer Park City Hall, 710 East San Augustine in Deer Park.

OZONE ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

The LEPC has worked with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Harris County Office of Emergency Management to notify Deer Park residents of ozone alerts.  

To subscribe for FREE e-mail notification of local ozone alerts, click HERE.

To obtain any current ozone alerts, click HERE.