By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
A simple vote during Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting actually has ties to a 1986 law. In October of that year, with growing concern about chemical facilities, the United States Congress enacted the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The federal law also requires action at the state level, which in turn, requires action at the county level. Barton's Emergency Management Director Sean Kelly nominated three more appointees for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
"This year, we have some new appointments," Kelly said. "Josh Komarek from Ellinwood District Hospital, Chris Steiner from Claflin Fire Department and EMS, and Dena Popp from Communications."
In Kansas, counties are designated as local emergency planning districts. The Kansas Commission on Emergency Planning and Response appoints the members of the local LEPCs.
"These are two-year terms," Kelly said. "About half our group is one year and half our group is the next year. We have about 22 members."
The LEPC is comprised of local and state officials, first responders, local media, emergency management, health workers, and community service and civic groups. The mission of the LEPC is to implement the Right-to-Know Act and mitigate the effects of a release or spill of hazardous materials.