Overview
The mission of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) is to implement the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
The EPCRA of 1986 was created to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. It also requires industry to report on the storage, use and releases of hazardous substances to federal, state, and local governments. EPCRA requires state and local governments, and Indian tribes to use this information to prepare for and protect their communities and first responders from potential risks.
The SERC assists Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in meeting planning standards and complying with EPCRA.
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation. The National LEPC-TEPC Handbook can be found at: National LEPC-TEPC Handbook | US EPA
SERC Working Group
The SERC Working Group is an advisory board to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) on emergency planning and training, reporting and community awareness. The Working Group is comprised of business, industry, State, and local representatives with a broad range of responsibilities and expertise in the hazardous materials response field.
The SERC Working Group consists of the following representatives:
NYS Office of Emergency Management, Chair
NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control
NYS Emergency Management Association
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
NYS Department of Transportation
The mission of the SERC Working Group is to facilitate the implementation of hazardous materials preparedness as required by the Federal EPCRA by providing leadership, guidance, and assistance to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), and to State and local government, business and industry, and the public.
Tier II
Tier II reporting is used by the EPA to track and enforce rules related to the storing of hazardous materials in your facility. Housing hazardous chemicals in your facility can pose an immense risk to your workers, the environment, and surrounding communities. It is essential to track all your hazardous chemicals and to know their specific quantity and location to ensure the safety of these surrounding communities and meet their community right to know. Please see Tier II, for more information on what you need to know about Tier II reporting requirements, who should report, what you should report, and other information about Tier II reporting.
Emergency Response Guidebook
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) 2020 was developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico (SCT) for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving a hazardous material. The new Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) 2020 is now available. The following link provides additional information regarding the ERG, including changes, updates, a link to a mobile app, and electronic versions of the book in Spanish and French: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/erg/emergency-response-guidebook-erg
Additional facts for the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) 2020 delivery cycle:
New York State requested 140,000 ERGs from the U.S. Department of Transportation and was provided with total of 138,415 overall.
The ERGs were delivered to the State in August of 2020.
There were 9,712 books delivered directly to New York City Emergency Management by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
A total of 65,960 ERGs were shipped by the State OEM to all other counties in New York State. These book allotments are for all county and municipal response entities to use.
Local entities looking to obtain 2020 ERGs should contact their county emergency management office.
New York State agencies were provided with their allotments of 2020 ERGs directly from State OEM.
State agencies looking to obtain additional books can contact State OEM at the email below.
For any other inquiries, please contact the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) by e-mail: [email protected].
2020 Emergency Response Guidebook - Free Mobile App
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has developed a free, mobile web app of its Emergency Response Guidebook 2020. The new safety tool provides the nation's emergency responders with fast, easily accessible information to help them manage hazardous material incidents.
This software is available from the Apple iTunes store for iPhone, and from the Google Play website for Android.
Please visit https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg for more information.