Hamilton County's Local Emergency Planning Committee meets Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. at the county's emergency management facility in Springdale.

The meeting takes place at 111 Tri County Pkwy, the consolidated Hamilton County 911 and Emergency Management Agency headquarters. The quarterly session is open to the public, Hamilton County EMA said in an Oct. 6 post on X.

The LEPC coordinates hazardous-materials emergency planning across Hamilton County, including Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville and Springdale. The committee is required under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3750, which implements the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Its members include elected officials, law enforcement, firefighters, hospital and health representatives, environmental authorities, transportation officials, media and community groups, according to Hamilton County's emergency management website.

No agenda has been published.

In April, the LEPC organized a chemical-leak response exercise that brought together first responders, plant personnel and local, state and federal partners, Hamilton County EMA said in an April 23 post on X.

That hands-on planning comes as the county deals with real emergencies. Hamilton County was included in a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration approved Friday, Oct. 2, after severe weather in August caused widespread damage. Residents who sustained losses can apply for federal assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or through the FEMA app, according to Hamilton County EMA.

Nick Crossley, director of the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (EMHSA), told WVXU in July that flooding remains the county's top threat. "The number one hazard in Hamilton County is flooding and flash flooding, hands down, just because of the level of damage," Crossley said at the time.

The agency also closed a public preparedness survey on Sept. 21 that asked residents to weigh in on the county's emergency priorities. Nearly 200 partners gathered at the county's 10th Annual Partners in Preparedness meeting Sept. 26 under the theme "When It Happens To You."

Doug Witsken serves as the LEPC coordinator, according to the agency's 2024 annual report. The LEPC is separate from the EMHSA Executive Committee, which next meets Monday, Oct. 26.

Residents can find more information about the LEPC at hcready.org.