Richland County Disaster
and Emergency Services
121 2nd Ave NW
Sidney, MT 59270
phone: (406) 433-2220
fax: (406) 433-6952
email: lepc [at] richland.org
History and Archives of Richland County LEPC
In 1984, a release of toxic chemicals in Bhopal, India resulted in the deaths of 2000 people and injury to thousands of others. Eight months later, a less toxic derivative of the same chemical was released from a plant in West Virginia. These two incidents caused the United States government to enact legislation to ensure that equipment and response plans are in place, and that information is available to the public on the hazardous materials in their communities.
Richland County LEPC is an example of the outcome from the Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). To implement EPCRA, Congress required each state to appoint a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). The SERCs are required to divide their states into Emergency Planning Districts and to name a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each district.
In 1987 the state emergency response commission appointed members for each emergency planning district to form a local committee. .Richland County LEPC is under the jurisdiction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 and state District 4 of the Disaster and Emergency Services.
Annual SKYWARN Weather Spotter Training
Annual Winter Weather Safety Training
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Management & Operations Course
Public Information Officer (PIO) Skills Class held by local & state DES staff
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
Joint Information Center Training
Incident Command System (ICS) ICS 300 / Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS)
Crew Training
Intro to Volunteer: Shelter Management and Simulation – American Red Cross
Shelter Practice – American Red Cross
Exercises
Avian Influenza Tabletop Discussion
Mass Botulinum Toxin Poisoning (Intentional) Functional Tabletop Discussion
Mass Clinic, ID – Regional Tabletop Discussion
i-Linc Tabletop Discussion by DES, SHC and RCHD
Strategic National Stockpile Tabletop Discussion
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Setup Tabletop Discussion
Sidney Sugars - Health & Safety Authority Exercise
Bear Paw Energy - Health & Safety Authority Exercise
Sidney Health Center Evacuation
