Emergency Response

This is the lens through which we should view EMERGENCY RESPONSE and our local FD as the “primary responders.” Just because we have a local FD (paid full-time or volunteer) does not mean we have the emergency services we need!  Far too often, our “assumptions” about the fire service’s capabilities far outstretch their actual abilities…....

BOYLES LAW:  When the temperature is kept constant, the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the pressure upon it. CHARLES LAW:  When the external pressure is kept constant, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...

Every day of the year, billions of cubic feet of gas are stored, transported, and used without any problems or mishaps. This results from a conscientious, solid – effort toward safety within the gas industry. Even with this effort, from time to time, something goes wrong; either mechanical or human error occurs. When this happens,…...

This is just an FYI to my Cl2 clients. Although the changes are NOT significant (0.1 – 0.3 miles), they are indeed changes to the Downwind Protective Action Distances. If you have used the 2020 ERG Distances in your Pre-Plans, which you or I did for your Emergency Response Plan (ERP), it may be beneficial…...

This is just an FYI to my NH3 clients. Although the changes are NOT significant (0.1 – 0.2 miles), they are indeed changes to the Downwind Protective Action Distances. If you have used the 2020 ERG Distances in your Pre-Plans that you or I did for your Emergency Response Plan (ERP), it may be beneficial…...

One of the many changes to the 2024 ERG, includes considerations for lithium battery and electric vehicle (EV) fires fire control.  NOTE: the print editions are NOT yet available, but we can download the app (CLICK HERE)   Water spray cools batteries and helps suppress and slow the release of toxic gases but does not…...

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its Final Rule: Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans (Final Rule), requiring certain facilities to develop Facility Response Plans (FRP) for a worst-case discharge of Clean Water Act (CWA) hazardous substances, or threat of such a discharge. A worst-case discharge is the…...

I have been involved with emergency response for over 30 years. During those years, I trained thousands of municipal and private responders, specializing in traditional Hazardous Materials Responses. During all those years, when I received continuing training from the likes of Texas A&M, LSU, NFA, and SERTC, these advanced courses only validated my first HAZWOPER…...

DOT/PHMSA have compiled the most important changes from ERG2020 to ERG2024, organized by the color of the corresponding section in the guidebook White Yellow/Blue Orange, and Green In addition to the changes listed below, all sections have undergone minor editorial changes for accuracy and consistency. In this edition, DOT/PHMSA has added QR codes to the back…...