Planning Effectiveness: Effectiveness of Community Planning for Toxic Chemical Emergencies

Abstract

Recent studies have shown substantial variation within and between states in the levels of local planning for hazardous materials emergencies. To explain these variations, literature on strategic planning, disaster planning and team effectiveness was used to construct a model of Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) effectiveness in developing emergency plans. Data from Michigan LEPCs showed that emergency planning outcomes (e.g., quality and degree of completion of critical planning tasks and submission of plans for approval) were correlated with internal factors such as member inputs, staffing and structure, and emergency planning resources. External factors such as community support and recent hazard experience also affect success, possibly by endowing emergency planning with importance for LEPC members either directly (e.g., recent evacuation experience) or indirectly (community support arising from the high priority given emergency plans by others). These results suggest that community planners should take such strategic actions as developing community support and redesigning the LEPCs structure to be more effective in preparing for hazardous materials emergencies.