SKOWHEGAN — Area fire and police chiefs and ambulance services directors will be the newest members of the Somerset County Local Emergency Planning Committee as a result of the committee’s February meeting last week.

According to Kerry Martin, LEPC chairman, the addition will provide a greater awareness of the LEPC services and responsibilities to the people who ultimately participate in exercises or actual emergency plans. Making emergency personnel members of the committee will make those individuals aware of the local responsibility for emergency response planning and preparedness.

Adding the people to the membership list may not realistically increase participation, Martin said, but it will provide them with regular mailings from the committee. Mailings include meeting notices, minutes, information on training opportunities, and the availability of grant money.

The new members added to the committee will be asked to assist with a hazardous materials analysis of Somerset County. In keeping with the function of the LEPC, reports on the storage or transportation of hazardous materials is reported to local communities and to the county committee.

Martin explained that local fire departments and other emergency response personnel need to know the information for their own protection and the protection of the community.

Compiling an inventory of the hazardous materials in the county is one of the responsiliities of the LEPC. Many larger facilities and communities have fulfilled the requirement by filing reports and emergency response plans to deal with potential disasters, but smaller communities and companies have failed to meet that mandate. Adding the police, fire and ambulance personnel to the committee will aid in completing that part of the committee’s task.

Lt. Gerald Coleman, commander of Troop C, Maine State Police, was appointed vice chairman of the committee. Richard Michaud, Madison town manager; Jim Evers, S.D. Warren Co.; and Gary Mann of the American Red Cross were appointed to the membership committee. Dana Cooper, Hartland Wastewater Treatment; Ed Burgess of Skowhegan; and Verne Berry of Madison were appointed to review the emergency response plan submitted to Central Maine Power Co. for its Wyman and Harris Dams hydroelectric facilities. Michaud, county emergency management director Carl McKenney and Brenda Seekins will develop policies in keeping with the public’s right to know.