Local Emergency Planning Committee

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a subdivision of the Indiana Emergency Response Committee (IERC).  The Whitley County LEPC is charged with the collection and storage of the reporting documentation of the SARA Title III hazardous materials storage reports  These documents are submitted by the reporting facilities within Whitley County to the Local Emergency Planning Commission and Right To Know.
 
The Whitley County Hazardous Materials Response Team and Equipment along with the jurisdictional fire department hazardous materials training of the responders are funded by portions of the grants that are received from the IERC.
 
Meeting Schedule (Public Welcome)
Whitley County Government Center
Lower Level Rooms A&B
220 West Van Buren Street
Columbia City, Indiana 46725
January 15, 2025
March 19, 2025
May 21, 2025
July 16, 2025
September 17, 2025
November 19, 2025
All meetings start at 10 am (EST)
 
2025 LEPC Committee Chairs
Chair - Scott Wagner Vice-Chair - Thomas LaRue
Secretary - Cami Hippenhammer Treasurer -  Tom Warner
Community Emergency Coordinator - Edward Scott
2025 LEPC Committee Members
Broadcast/Print Media
Janelle Schmitt - Whitley County Dispatch
Community Groups
Grace Hochstetler - American Red Cross Northeast Indiana
Emergency Management
Edward Scott - Whitely County EMA Brandon Rittenhouse - Whitley County EMA
Emergency Medical Services
Nicholas Casey - Parkview Whitley EMS Carla Gebert - Parkview EMS
Environmental
Darren Reed - Indiana DNR Max Utterback - Whitley County Drainage
Craig Wagner - Whitley County Planning & Building Brad Allen - Whitley County Engineer
Fire Departments
Thomas LaRue - Columbia City Fire Department Shane Caudill - Whitley County Fire Chief's Association
Toby Fralick - Columbia City Fire Department Jacob Schrader - Columbia Township Fire Department
Health
Scott Wagner - Whitley County Health Department
Hospitals
Angela Hostetler - Parkview Whitley Hospital  Hannah Landis - Parkview Hospitals
Industry
Forrest France - Steel Dynamics Eric McClees - Steel Dynamics
Law Enforcement
Jason Spencer - Whitley County Sheriff  Chad Schipper - South Whitley Police Department
Gary Parrett - Columbia City Police Department Chris Anderson - Columbia City Police Department
Local/State Government
Cami Hippenhammer - Whitley County JCAP Tom Warner - Whitley County Council
Transportation
Ryan Getts - Whitley County Highway Tadd Pratt - Whitley County Highway