The Area Plan program was established in 1986 as a planning tool for local government agencies to respond to and minimize the impacts from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material. It requires local implementing agencies called Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA), also known as administering agencies (AA), to create an Area Plan that:
- Identifies the hazardous materials which pose a threat to the community,
- Develops procedures and protocols for emergency response,
- Provides for notification and coordination of emergency response personnel,
- Provides for public safety including notification and evacuation,
- Establishes training for emergency response personnel,
- Identifies emergency response supplies and equipment, and
- Provides for the critique and follow-up after a major incident.
CUPAs use information collected from the Business Plan and California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) programs to identify hazardous materials in their communities. This information provides the basis for the Area Plan and is used to determine the appropriate level of emergency planning necessary to respond to a release.
The Area Plans must include provisions for multi-agency notification, coordination, and emergency response. These agencies may include law enforcement, fire services, medical and public health services, poison control centers, and care and shelter services.
For questions please contact Jack Harrah, phone: (916) 845-8759 or email: jack.harrah@calema.ca.gov
State Statute and Regulation:
Statute: Health and Safety Code Sections 25500 - 25520
Regulation: Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 3
Related Federal Statute: United States Code, Title 42, Section 11003