What is the function of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)?

The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) plays a vital role in emergency management at the state level, specifically focusing on hazardous materials planning and response. Its primary function is to establish and oversee local emergency planning committees within designated emergency planning regions. This is crucial because local committees are tasked with preparing emergency response plans that address hazardous substances released into the environment. They coordinate with various stakeholders, including local governments, industry, and the public, to ensure comprehensive planning and effective response strategies to potential chemical emergencies.

Recognizing the importance of local response efforts, the SERC ensures that each region has a tailored approach suitable to its specific hazards and community needs. This grassroots structure allows for more efficient communication and quicker mobilization of resources during emergencies. Additionally, local committees often work closely with facilities that handle hazardous materials, making it imperative that the SERC facilitates these local emergencies' foundational planning efforts.

Other choices pertain to different aspects of emergency management or environmental regulation but do not directly align with the specific role of the SERC in establishing local planning regions and committees for hazardous materials emergencies.