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Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable Report
On May 21–22, 2024, the 2024 HazMat Roundtable was hosted by the National Fire Academy (NFA) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the event was attended by HazMat technical specialists and practitioners from over 20 organizations including its host, sponsors, and other organizations. Organizations in attendance included the EPA, CHEMTREC, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Association of SARA Title III Officers (NASTTPO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to name a few.
The goal of the Roundtable was to discuss challenges in HazMat preparedness, offer recommendations and solutions to these challenges, and review the accomplishments and best practices that the Roundtable members and their organizations have been doing in the HazMat arena since the 2021–2022 Roundtable meetings.
The objectives of the Roundtable included:
- Prioritizing HazMat preparedness issues that have been previously identified and discussed at prior Roundtable sessions,
- Determining ways and processes to leverage the work that is currently being done, and
- Discussing new HazMat preparedness issues and challenges, as well as emerging trends and technologies that can be used to help address these challenges.
This report describes the Roundtable discussions, provides high-level summaries of the Roundtable member presentations and updates, and details the HazMat Roundtable’s feedback, recommendations, and suggested plans of action.
New Online, Self-Study Course at The National Fire Academy
The National Fire Academy released a new, on-line, self-study course Introduction to Energy Systems (ESS) (course code Q0757). Many of the modern devices used daily rely on some type of electrical source to power their operation. Many device manufacturers are using batteries to allow mobility and function without connection to the electrical power grid. In this course, you will learn to recognize energy storage system (ESS) concepts and principles so you can analyze the hazards involved with ESS incidents.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Define an energy storage system (ESS)
- Recognize hazards associated with ESS
- Associate chemical ESS hazards with Lithium-Ion-Battery Energy Storage Systems (LiBESS)
- Associate thermal ESS hazards with LiBESS
- Identify response consideration during LiBESS incidents
- Identify the post-incident operations following an ESS response
Apply on-line now.
Emergency Management Organizational Structures, Staffing, and Capacity Study
FEMA is partnering with Argonne National Laboratory, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM) to gain a greater understanding of current state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management organizational structures, staffing, and capacity. This study will provide important insights on how agencies and organizations are structured and staffed, where they get their funding, and how staff time is focused across the spectrum of emergency management activities.
To accomplish this study, IAEM will be launching four surveys—state, local, tribal, and territorial. Argonne National Laboratory will be conducting the analysis. The state, local, and territorial surveys are now available. A tribal-specific survey will be available in the coming weeks. Key insights about the capacity and challenges facing emergency management agencies across the nation will help FEMA, IAEM, NEMA, BCEM, and others identify strategies to better support emergency management efforts and increase community resilience.
To learn more about the Emergency Management Organizational Structures, Staffing, and Capacity Study and the supporting surveys please visit: https://www.anl.gov/dis/npac/EMStudy.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Launches Investigation into Hazardous Ammonia Release in Sterling, VA
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB is launching an investigation into a hazardous ammonia leak which occurred the evening of July 31 at Cuisine Solutions, Inc., a food processing facility in Loudon County, VA. The release led to the hospitalization of 33 workers, with some in serious condition.
The facility is a commercial food preparation plant with approximately 350 employees located about 30 miles from Washington D.C.
The CSB’s board members are appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
Please visit the CSB website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
CFATS Regulation Still Lapsed
It has now been more than a year 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. With 89 million Americans working or living within two miles of a high-risk facility, CISA can no longer ensure the safety and security of America’s communities against chemical terrorism. Without CFATS, we have lost vital safeguards that were created to protect Americans from incidents of chemical terrorism.
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