2016 Boards and Commissions

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)

General Information

Formal Name:State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)
Contact Person:Bryan Tuma, Asst. Dir., NEMA (402-471-7401) Tonya Ngotel, SERC Coordinator (402-471-7176)
Purpose:Coordinate hazardous materials chemical planning through the establishment of a state hazmat program.; designate and oversee the Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs); coordinate with state and federal environmental protection agencies and implement the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act within the State of Nebraska; serve as the passthrough entity for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning (HMEP) Grant monies which are provided to the LEPCs to develop and sustain hazmat plans, train first responders and exercise standard operating guidelines.
How Many Affectable:Statewide population
How Many Served:Statewide population
Year Created:1997 (LB374)
Year Active:1997
Sunset Date:None

Authorization

Authorization Citation:81-15,210 - SERC created 81-15,191 to 81-15,235 - Nebr. Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
Parent Agency:Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:19 members with 6 serving by statute and the remaining 13 representing specific areas of expertise.
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes (municipal or county government officials or employees and the citizen members only).
Qualifications Of Members:Expertise as outlined in Statute.
Per Diem:None
Expense Reimbursement:Actual and Necessary expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177
Term Length:Four years
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 13-14:Two
Held FY 13-14:Three
Required FY 14-15:Two
Held FY 14-15:Four
Required FY 15-16:Two
Held FY 15-16:Three

Operations

Support Staff:NEMA
Shared or Separate:Shared
FY 13-14 Budget:None
FY 14-15 Budget:None
FY 15-16 Budget:None
Other Funding Sources:US DOT Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning (HMEP) funds
Spending Authority:The Nebraska Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Cash Fund may receive gifts, bequests, grants, fees, or other contributions or donations from public or private entities. The fund must be used to carry out the purposes of the Nebraska Emergency

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2012:Created a hazardous materials technician level resource typing system. Sent a Nebraska supported team to the National Hazmat Challenge in New Mexico. Held 16 quarterly SERC meetings, attended over 100 LEPC meetings. Conducted two regional and two state conferences. Trained over 1,000 first responders in hazardous materials training.