The Fayette LEPC provides residents with information, subject to limitations by local, state and federal statutes, about the location of extremely hazardous substances (EHS) used in manufacturing or commerce in Fayette County.

The close partnership between the Fayette LEPC and the Division of Emergency Management is important in an emergency.  The Division of Emergency Management updates emergency and preparedness information regularly on their website, Facebook, and Twitter. 

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How will I know there is an emergency?

If there is an emergency release of a toxic chemical that could affect you and your family there will be an Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast on television and radio stations with instructions about what to do. The primary originating station for EAS is WUKY-FM 91.3 and the second is WVLK-AM 590. Other stations may also pick up the broadcast, but it is advisable to tune in to one of these two stations in the event of an emergency.

You may also be notified via the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system available on your mobile phone. That message will direct you to where to find additional emergency response information. More about local alerting systems is available from Lexington Emergency Management.

Advanced planning for an emergency is always recommended. Lexington Emergency Management provides resources for emergency planning and instructions on how to make a home, office and/or vehicle emergency kit.

You may be asked to Shelter-in-Place or Evacuate.

What is Shelter-in-Place? (SIP)

If local public officials ask you to SIP, it means that you should protect yourself and your family by using a building or structure to reduce the amount of exposure to the chemical or chemicals in the outside air. This method is often chosen as a means of population protection for small toxic releases with a short duration or when there isn’t sufficient time to protect people from exposure in an evacuation. If you are asked to SIP please follow the steps below.

  • Go inside immediately.
  • Take yourself and anyone near you inside an enclosed structure, whether it’s a house, business, garage, or vehicle.
  • If you know of a person with access or functional needs or unattended child in your neighborhood, call and tell them to remain indoors.
  • Keep any pets inside.
  • Close all doors, windows, and other sources of outside air.
  • Turn off air conditioning or heating systems, and close the fireplace damper to keep chemical vapors from entering the building. Ceiling fans or rotary fans inside the building can be safely used to keep cool.
  • Gather portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  • Move into an interior room, preferably a room with no windows. From the inside of the room, cover any outside doors, windows, ceiling vents, and other sources of outside air with plastic sheeting and masking tape. Place a wet towel or sheet along the bottom of the doorsill.
  • If you smell any unusual odor or have trouble breathing, you should sit down, cover your nose and mouth with a damp washcloth and then take slow, shallow breaths and try to stay calm.
  • Stay off the telephone. Do not call police, fire or 9-1-1 unless you are reporting an emergency at your location. Overloaded telephone circuits may stop actual emergency calls from getting through.

How will I know when the emergency is over?

Stay inside, sheltered in place, until you receive further instructions via an emergency broadcast or from local authorities via some other means.

If you are asked to open doors and windows and go outside, it is important to follow those instructions. When the toxic cloud has passed it will be safer outside.

If local authorities order you to evacuate

  • Stay calm.
  • Gather what you and your family will need most. Take essential items such as medicine, baby supplies, clothing, radio and fresh batteries, driver’s license, checkbook/credit cards.
  • Don’t forget your pets.
  • Keep car windows and air vents closed.
  • Turn on your car radio to WUKY-FM 91.3 or WVLK-AM 590 for information.
  • Police officers along the route will direct you.

If you have children in school

  • Do not call or travel to the school.
  • Students will be cared for and sheltered in schools until the emergency is over.
  • If evacuation is necessary, the students will be taken to a location specified in the school’s emergency plan.
  • Stay tuned to local radio and television stations for an announcement of local shelter and/or reunification locations.