Audit of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency covering July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.”

Auditors checked whether MEMA was meeting its duties under the federal law meant to help communities plan for chemical emergencies and inform the public about chemical risks.

“In this performance audit, we determined whether MEMA met all of its responsibilities under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (Chapter 116 of Title 42 of the United States Code) and other applicable authoritative guidance.”

If local chemical emergency planning is incomplete, communities may be less ready to respond to hazardous chemical incidents.

“As a result of these issues, there is a higher-than-acceptable risk that local communities may not be adequately prepared to deal effectively with any potential chemical hazards.”

For residents, this matters because emergency responders need accurate information about hazardous chemicals nearby so they can respond safely and effectively.

“Tier II reporting also provides government agencies with information about facilities so emergency personnel can respond and make informed decisions.”

MEMA did not have emergency planning committees in all places that needed them and could not prove it reviewed required emergency response plans.

“MEMA could not demonstrate that it received and reviewed each local or regional emergency planning committee’s emergency response plan.”

The auditors recommended that MEMA identify where planning committees are needed, establish them, and keep documentation showing that emergency plans were reviewed.

“MEMA should identify where EPCs should be established and should establish them.”

The report points to a statewide planning gap: hundreds of hazardous-material businesses were in dozens of communities without the required local or regional planning committee coverage.

“During calendar year 2018, at least 442 businesses that had inventories of hazardous materials, as evidenced by the fact that they filed Tier II reports with MEMA, were located in 53 different cities and towns for which MEMA had not established LEPCs or REPCs, as shown below.”

EPCRA is the federal chemical emergency planning and public information law; SERC is the state body responsible for carrying it out; LEPCs and REPCs are local or regional emergency planning committees.

“The SERC is responsible for implementing EPCRA within the state.”