SERC-TERC Monthly Update: July 2024

SERC-TERC Updates: July 2024

SERCs, TERCs, and Federal Partners: Please forward this monthly update to your stakeholders

Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, training opportunities and conferences does not constitute an U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the SERC-TERC audience.

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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Announces New Requirements for Freight Railroads to Provide Hazmat Information to First Responders

DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a final rule to protect firefighters and improve public safety. The final rule requires railroads to proactively provide first responders with real-time, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments to the primary Public Safety Answering Point (for example, a 9-1-1 call center or emergency responder phone app such as the AskRail Mobile App) as soon as the railroad is aware of an accident or incident involving hazardous materials.

The final rule requires all railroads to generate, in hard copy and electronic versions, real-time train consist information for shipments containing hazardous materials. Required information includes the quantity and position of the hazardous materials on the train, the train’s origin and destination, emergency response information, and a designated emergency point of contact at the railroad.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Response Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Comment Period Extended

OSHA has extended the comment period for the Emergency Response Standard NPRM to July 22, 2024. This proposal is intended to update an existing standard and expand safety and health protections for emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical service providers and technical search and rescue workers. The newly named "Emergency Response" standard updates safety and health protections in line with national consensus standards for a broad range of workers exposed to hazards that arise during and after fires and other emergencies. The proposal will include major changes for protective clothing and equipment and significant improvements in safety and health practices that the industry generally accepts as standard procedures.

Learn more about OSHA's Emergency Response Rulemaking.

NIMS Alert 13-24 FEMA Seeking Feedback on Draft: Planning Considerations: Putting People First

FEMA is seeking feedback on the draft Planning Considerations: Putting People First. This document is intended to assist emergency managers and planning partners at all levels in identifying and understanding the interests and needs of populations throughout their communities, particularly those that are disproportionately impacted by disasters and may have been historically underserved populations. The guide outlines an understanding of a people first approach through application of the Six Step Planning Process established in Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (CPG 101) and discusses the importance of community engagement in maintaining strong community partnerships. Additionally, the guide includes data analysis and visualization resources and population spotlight sheets to help begin the process of how to engage and assess the needs of underserved populations.

A line-numbered version of the draft guide is provided to help identify specific areas or topics for potential revision or development. The feedback form can be used to capture any recommendations. Email feedback or questions to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov. The feedback period will conclude at close of business on July 10, 2024.

As part of the engagement period FEMA will be hosting a series of 60-minute webinars. These sessions will cover an overview of the content in the document and facilitate discussion to gather feedback on the content of the document.

To access the document and for details on listening sessions, please visit the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/plan.

Hot Topics

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Issues Final Report into Fatal 2022 Fire at BP-Husky Refinery Near Toledo, Ohio

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued its final investigation report into the fatal naphtha release and fire at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Oregon, Ohio, on September 20, 2022, which resulted in the death of two BP employees, who were brothers. During an emergency situation at the refinery, liquid naphtha was released from a pressurized vessel, which resulted in a vapor cloud that subsequently ignited, causing a flash fire, which fatally injured the two BP employees. The events on September 20, 2022 resulted in approximately $597 million in property damage at the refinery, including loss of use. Over 23,000 pounds of naphtha were released during the incident.

As a result of its findings, the CSB is issuing a total of seven safety recommendations to the current owner of the facility (Ohio Refining Company LLC, a subsidiary of Cenovus Energy Inc., which acquired the refinery from BP in February 2023); the American Petroleum Institute (API); and the International Society of Automation (ISA). Each recommendation aims to address an existing safety gap.

For more information, please visit website, www.csb.gov or contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.

Eleven Months Since Lapse in CFATS Reauthorization

It has now been more than eleven months since Congress allowed the statutory authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program (6 CFR Part 27) to expire on July 28, 2023. CFATS worked with high-risk facilities to ensure that their dangerous chemicals stayed out of the hands of bad actors. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has currently missed an average of 1,760 inspections at high-risk facilities, and an average of 99,000 names have not been vetted against the Terrorist Screening Database—a measure that ensured personnel with access to dangerous chemicals did not have terrorist ties. CISA can no longer say with certainty where high-risk facilities are located, what dangerous chemicals are being utilized, or who has access to these chemicals. Simply put, communities are at a greater risk today than they were at this time last year. CISA urges Congress to reauthorize CFATS.

Training Opportunities and Conferences

Climate Adaptation & Hazard Mitigation Certificate Program, Conducting Whole Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments

On Earth Day 2024, FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) announced the Climate Adaptation & Hazard Mitigation Certificate Program (EMI Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate (fema.gov)). This program consists of four foundational courses offered through EMI and multiple elective courses offered by training partners such as George Tech EI2 Global.

You can register for MGT-490-V, Conducting Whole Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (one of the elective courses) at https://alliancesolutionsgroupinc.teachable.com/p/mgt-490. This virtual course is scheduled monthly over the next year at different times to accommodate different time zones throughout the U.S.

This management-level, instructor-led course teaches the art and science of conducting a Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, a critical starting point for building resilient communities. Participants gain the tools and knowledge on how to integrate climate projections and products into a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA). Participants will utilize three climate projection tools to identify future threats and hazards, FEMA’s Resilience Analysis Planning Tool (RAPT), and FEMA’s Community Resilience Challenge Index to prioritize populations and communities most impacted by climate-related hazards. With a better understanding of future risks and impacts, participants will be able to use this risk assessment to inform planning, resource requirements, mitigation projects, and climate adaptation strategies.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will be hosting the fully virtual 2024 Chemical Security Seminars on July 11 and July 18, from 10 am-3 pm ET. Join participants from across the spectrum of sectors—including chemical, energy, communications, transportation, and water—to hear the latest program updates, share perspectives and lessons learned, and engage in dialogue regarding chemical security. Visit the 2024 Chemical Security Seminars webpage to register and to view seminar details.

ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual

This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility. This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.

ChemLock: Secure Your Chemicals Security Planning Training Course, Virtual

This course walks through how to create a tailored, scalable security plan that meets the business model and unique circumstances of a facility. Participants will learn the key elements of a chemical security plan and benefit from examples, lessons learned, and best practices. The course runs 2-3 hours in length and is designed to help leadership, facility security personnel, and other applicable personnel understand, develop, and implement a facility security plan.

For more information or to request a specific training for your facility, please visit the ChemLock Training webpage.

EPA Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars

Overview of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Webinar for Tribal Partners

Participants should only register for one of the three offerings below, as all sessions will cover the same material. This one and half hour, EPA-hosted session will provide a basic overview of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure oil spill prevention program, regulatory requirements, program implementation, and federal oil spill reporting requirements. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment where participants can interact with the SPCC national program manager. The session is designed for those who want to learn “just the basics” of the SPCC rule and EPA Oil Program. Managers, policymakers, facility operators, and other related tribal stakeholders may find this short and basic overview course useful.

Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure 101 Webinar for Tribal Partners

This four-hour course will provide tribal partners SPCC 101 – a “deeper dive” into the SPCC rules, their applicability, and requirements (e.g., containment, tank integrity, plan updates, etc.). The SPCC inspection process and enforcement will be discussed. An in-depth pictorial review of typical noncompliance found during EPA inspections will also be provided. The webinar will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

August 22, 2024 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

Tank Talk: Aboveground Storage Tanks 101 Webinar for Tribal Partners

This four-hour advanced topic session will provide an in-depth overview of the Aboveground Storage Tanks design/construction, appurtenances, piping, inspections, and maintenance.

September 19, 2024, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

Save the Date: PHMSA HMEP Conference - August 19-21, 2024

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) HAZMAT Grant Program is hosting their fourth HMEP conference, August 19-21, in the DC metro area. The conference is an opportunity to engage with PHMSA’s HAZMAT grants team and to network and share information with others. The conference will include HMEP grants training, best practices, and other relative topics to HAZMAT response. More information will be forthcoming as they solidify the location and agenda.

CAMEO for Planning

Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train

you how to use the Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training focuses on CAMEO Data Manager (DM), CAMEO Chemicals, and MARPLOT. Find more information and register here.

This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars; 1-hour Zoom call on the first day of class; four 2-hour webinars on the remaining 4 days. One remaining session in 2024:

Session 3: Oct. 17 – Nov. 14 (Thursday webinars)

NASTTPO Mid-Year Workshop, Houston, TX, October 14-16

Registration is open for the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) Mid-Year Workshop in Houston, TX.

Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises (TTX) available to local industry and community responders

ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with IIAR, RETA, and GCCA to present safety and emergency response preparedness training at minimal cost to the attendees.
ASTI worked with Region 9 EPA to create ammonia Tabletop Exercises based upon the One Plan four stages of response; focused on engaging local, state, and federal emergency response plans.
ASTI organizes and leads a local committee of industry, public safety, and governmental leaders to create Safety Day presentations and Tabletop Exercises.
Sample topics include: hazard analysis, health & safety concerns, critical task readiness, e.g., emergency system control, rapid “grab and go” rescue by first responders, and methods of containment and control of ammonia events using proper methods e.g., personnel protective equipment, decontamination, teaming agreement with public safety responders, monitoring systems, and command team coordination and communications readiness to address on-site and off-site life safety and environmental receptors.

Currently Scheduled: