Okaloosa County BOCC — September 20, 2016 — Okaloosa EPCRA Resolution 2016

RESOLUTION 16-_____ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY; JOINS THE WEST FLORIDA LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC) IN HONORING THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO- KNOW ACT (EPCRA); PROVIDING AND EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the safe use of hazardous materials is essential to citizens, business, industry, and local governments to maintain economic stability and the public health; and WHEREAS, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was passed in 1986 in response to concerns regarding the environmental and safety hazards posed by the storage and handling of toxic chemicals; and WHEREAS, the West Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) recognizes the importance of protecting our communities from both accidental and deliberate releases of hazardous materials and joins the State Emergency Response Commission, and Florida’s nine other LEPCs in carrying out state and federal duties to publicly promote statewide hazardous materials safety; and WHEREAS, it is essential to increase community preparedness so that both public-sector and private-sector employees know how to safely protect themselves and those for whom they are responsible during an accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, the LEPC offers awareness level hazardous materials emergency response training for firefighters, law enforcement, and other public safety personnel as well as Shelter-in- Place presentations to community groups, businesses, schools, and the general public as a means of increasing safety in the event of a release; and WHEREAS, citizens need to know that emergency responders, emergency management, all levels of government, schools, and businesses are working together to ensure that our communities are as prepared as possible to protect all citizens from both accidental and deliberate releases of hazardous materials. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County as follows: 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County do hereby recognize “October, 2016 as the 30th year anniversary of the EPCRA Act” throughout the county, for the purpose of heightening public recognition of its efforts to safeguard the community from hazardous materials and to acknowledge the unique public participation component of the program. 2. This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption. 1  DULY ADOPTED this 20th day of September, 2016. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA _______________________________________ CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN ATTEST: J. D. PEACOCK, II By: __________________________ Clerk of the Circuit Court APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: ______________________________ Gregory T. Stewart County Attorney 2