The Title III: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) program could be utilized to aid in the identification of facilities storing hazardous materials. Under the program, facilities report annually the hazardous materials stored for the past year (Tier II Reports). These reports are filed with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), the Division of Fire Safety (Missouri Emergency Response Commission), and the local fire departments. The LEPCs are formed by the county but sometimes several counties will form one LEPC. The LEPCs would be a good source for identifying facilities; however not all LEPCs have a computer database of the Tier II Reports. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is working towards putting computers with emergency response software in every LEPC office and forming a state-wide network. This is a very important step in the identification process.
Since the potential number of hazardous material releases after an earthquake is expected to be large. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be overwhelmed with reported incidents. DNR has six regional offices along with the central office which would work together in disaster recovery. Three full-time hazardous materials people are needed at each regional office.
Fire departments would also be very involved in dealing with hazardous material releases. The LEPCs would work together with the local fire departments to conduct training and emergency exercises to deal with hazardous material releases. Funding is needed for the Division of Fire Safety to provide on-going training on hazardous materials and equipment.
Use an electronic data base to identify and track potential sources of hazardous material release following earthquakes, and provide the resources and training needed to respond to likely hazardous material incidents.
Local Emergency Planning Committees will need computers and software for collecting and managing data on the locations, nature and uses of hazardous materials. Local fire departments will need equipment and training to respond appropriately to multiple hazardous material incidents. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources needs additional hazardous material staff to coordinate data management and training.