In my discussions with SAFTENG members who are Process Safety clients, the question is always asked: “Where do you get the terms “responding facilities” and “Non-Responding facilities” from? These are terms used in EPA’s Risk Management Plan rule, and I have said many times in my writings that not every facility is required to have an emergency response team and program. Every facility is responsible for ensuring proper and timely response to events is in place, but that could be using the local emergency response resources. Here are the ER requirements based on how the facility classifies itself in terms of a Non-Responding Facility or a Responding Facility.