About
The purpose of the Howard County LEPC is to enhance Howard County’s preparedness and response to hazardous materials incidents by involving the government, private business, non-profit organizations and residents in planning and preparing for such an incident. The Howard County LEPC will also act as an advisory committee to the Howard County Government in regards to emergency preparedness and response for hazardous materials and will fulfill any and all additional requirements articulated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). The EPCRA was enacted by Congress in 1986 Congress to ensure that government and the public had access to the information needed to plan for chemical emergencies. EPCRA required each state to establish a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), to create local emergency planning districts, and to establish an LEPC in each district. In addition to fulfilling its role with respect to hazardous chemicals, the Howard County LEPC has expanded its scope to include preparedness for all hazards and all communities.
Visit the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to learn about Tier II reporting and other EPCRA requirements.
Visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to learn more about EPCRA.
Upcoming LEPC Meetings
The next LEPC Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 7th, from 6:30PM to 8:00PM at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center (8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD 21044). This quarterly meeting will focus on home safety and preparedness. Come learn how to spring clean your home with safety in mind! Register for the May LEPC meeting.
Participants
LEPC general meetings are open to all members of the public, the private sector, and government agencies who are interested in emergency preparedness. Participants include representatives of neighborhood associations, health care organizations, public safety agencies, schools; and other non-profit organizations, large and small businesses, and government agencies.
Keep in Touch
If you would like to receive emails about our meetings each quarter, we would love to keep you updated.
Recent LEPC Meetings
January 2026 LEPC-- Severe Weather & Public Alerting
Archived LEPC Meetings and Minutes
October 2025 LEPC-- Canceled
July 2025 LEPC-- Emergency Preparedness for Extreme Heat and Air Quality
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No recording available
April 2025 LEPC-- Flood Preparedness
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No recording available
January 2025 LEPC-- Emergency Preparedness for Caregivers
October 2024 LEPC-- Police and Civilian Response to Violence in Gathering Places
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No recording available
July 2024 LEPC-- Extreme Heat Preparedness and Climate Change in Howard County
April 2024 LEPC-- Flood Preparedness Crash Course
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No recording available
January 2024 LEPC-- Understanding the Hazardous Materials Risk in Howard County, Maryland: How to be Prepared and be Aware
October 2023 LEPC-- Cybersecurity Awareness Month
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No slides or recording available
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For cybersecurity tips, visit the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) page
July 2023 LEPC-- Amateur Radio: It's More Than Just a Hobby!
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No recording available
April 2023 LEPC-- Disaster Preparedness (National Financial Capability Month)
January 2023 LEPC-- Human Trafficking 101
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No recording available
September 2022 LEPC-- Extreme Weather in Howard County
June 2022 LEPC-- Summer Safety Tips Virtual Presentation
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No slides or recording available
No content available
September 2020 LEPC-- Standard Petroleum Logistics
February 2020 LEPC-- Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA)
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No slides or recording available
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Visit the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA) Facebook Page
November 2019 LEPC-- Winter Safety with the Department of Fire and Rescue Services
August 2019 LEPC-- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Training
May 2019 LEPC Meeting-- Active Assailant Awareness Presentation
March 2019 LEPC Meeting-- Disaster Insurance, Natural Gas Safety, and Gas Boom Box Demo (rescheduled from February)
November 2018 LEPC Meeting-- Disaster Financial Donations Management
- Due to a winter storm, the Howard County LEPC meeting scheduled for November 15th was canceled.
August 2018 LEPC Meeting-- Psychological First Aid Training
May 2018 LEPC Meeting-- Deployment to the USVI for Hurricane Recovery & Disaster Insurance
February 2018 LEPC Meeting-- Top 5 Security Tips for Your Business/Organization
August 2017 LEPC Meeting-- Opioids in Howard County: A Call to Action
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August 2017 LEPC Meeting Slides Part 1- The Impact of Opioids in Howard County
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August 2017 LEPC Meeting Slides Part 2- Opioids - What You Can Do Presentation
May 2017 LEPC Meeting-- Maryland Emergency Management's Public Sector Integration Program
February 2017 LEPC Meeting-- Community Hazard Handbook and ReadyHoCo
October 2016 LEPC Meeting-- Howard County Hazardous Materials Permitting and Stop the Bleed
July 2016 LEPC Meeting-- FBI Supervisory Special Agent Dan Gray presented on "The Cyber Threat Today"
April 2016 LEPC Meeting-- Dr. Brian Flynn and Dr. Joseph Barbera presented on "Behavioral Health Factors in Preparedness, Response, and Recovery”
January 2016 LEPC Meeting
- Due to a winter storm that caused Howard County government closure, and an Emergency Operations Center activation, the Howard County LEPC meeting scheduled for January 27 had to be canceled.
October 2015 LEPC Meeting-- Dr. Dane Egli presented on "Smart Resilience in Turbulent Times: Why Adaptation and Contingencies are Vital Community and Regional Investments”
July 2015 LEPC Meeting-- "Unmanned Aircraft Systems: An overview by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office"
April 2015 LEPC Meeting
- Due to a situation requiring a Howard County emergency response, the Howard County LEPC meeting scheduled for April 29 had to be canceled.
January 2015 LEPC Meeting - Anthony Rosano presented on "The Integration of Emergency Preparedness and Security: How Governments and Businesses Can Become More Resilient"