EPCRA Update : Emergency Planning And Community Right-To-Know April 1999


U. S. Environmental Protection Agency — Rb glan III April 1999
Alan Brown
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LEPC OUTREACH
TAPES NOW
AVAILABLE
Page 1
Printed on recycled paper using soy ink
Since we're sure you've finished
your RMPs, are you ready for a little
fun? We just distributed a series of
three audiotapes as part of our
outreach to LEPCs. They're short
and meant to be entertaining.
The first is targeted at elected
officials and uses humor to
communicate the need for them to
support the work done by LEPCs.
The second is for LEPC chaiipersons
and looks at the focus and mission of
LEPCs. The third is directed at LEPC
members, and again using humor,
communicates EPA's appreciation of
their commitment to safety. Mike
McCabe, Regional Administrator of
EPA Region III, narrates the opening
and closing of each tape. As he so
aptly puts it, "If all the tapes
accomplish is to communicate our
appreciation and gratitude for the
important work being done day in and
day out by our LEPCs and provide
them a few chuckles as well, the effort
[was well worth it."
If you didn't receive a copy of the
tapes and would like them, send an e-
mail to brown.alan@.epa.gov or call
me at (215) 814-3302.
April 1999 (§)

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Alrport/Alrllne
HAZMAT Seminar
A one-day contingency planning
seminar will be held at Fort Eustis,
Virginia, on June 9. Topics will
include types of HAZMAT
transported, shipper requirements,
roles and responsibilities of
responding agencies, and response
issues. For more information,
contact George Roarty, Virginia
Dept. of Emergency Services, at
(804) 897-6574
RMPb-
The Weal Story
Craig Matthiessen
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention Office
Many companies out there handling
certain hazardous chemicals will soon
need to submit a risk management plan
(RMP) to EPA. Recently, we've heard
quite a few horror stories from a
number of companies about the RMP
requirements. We've also heard more
than a few "myth information" stories.
Here are some of the issues and the
real story.
Issue: We already comply with
the |fill in your favorite federal or
state rule, industry code or
standard| so we don't need to do an
RMP.
EPA: It would be extremely
unusual for any company handling
hazardous materials to not already
comply with a variety of rules, codes
and standards. This is why the RMP
builds on these rules, codes and
standards; you can use compliance
with them to satisfy particular RMP
elements! A big advantage of the risk
management program is that it can
consolidate these rules, codes and
standards so all the elements needed
for safe operation work together to
prevent accidental releases. Managing
all these elements under one roof can
(jfe April 1999
help reveal gaps in information about
hazards or 'layers of protection' and
fill these gaps to reduce the risk of an
accidental release.
While other rules, codes and
standards may address certain RMP
requirements, none captures all of the
RMP elements. For example,
assessing the off-site impacts
associated with accidental releases
and communicating this information to
the first responders and the
ZJhe RMP is
not just
about worst-
case. The RMP is about
accident prevention,
risk reduction, and
dialog with first
responders and the
community about
hazards, prevention
and emergency
preparedness.
community are not addressed by any
other rule, code or standard.
Issue: We have no technical
people and can V do the RMP; it will
take too long; we need a contractor
and it will cost thousands of dollars.
EPA: If your facility is a large,
complicated petrochemical complex
you may need some technical support.
However, the people responsible for
running a process have more
knowledge than anyone else; they
should be able to step through the
RMP requirements and complete the
work successfully.
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RMP*Comp™ is a computer
program that can quickly help you with
your worst-case and alternative case
scenario assessments.
RMP*Submit™ is a computer
program that you can use to quickly fill
out the RMP form for submission.
Actually, you could use
RMP*Submit™ first to quickly go
through and focus on the elements that
need attention. And the best news is
that both of these tools are free! (See
the Help section below on how to get
these tools.)
Issue: We don't have a process,
we just have a couple small storage
tanks. We heard that you have to
add up the quantity of a listed
substance in all the tanks, no matter
how small or where they are
located.
EPA: A storage tank is a process.
If that tank contains more than the
threshold quantity of a listed substance,
then it's covered by the RMP rule.
For example, if you have a tank .i
holding more than 10,000 pounds of
propane, it's covered by the RMP rule.
But if you have a couple of small
storage tanks, you add up the
quantities in these tanks to see if the
amount exceeds the threshold quantity
of the substance only if these tanks are
interconnected or located close enough
together. What's close enough? If an
accidental release from one tank can
trigger an accidental release in the
other, then they're close enough.
Remember too, it's not the capacity of
the tank that matters but the amount it
actually holds. For example, if a
storage tank is never filled to greater
than 70% of its capacity, use 70% to
determine whether you have the
threshold quantity.
Issue: The RMP is only about
worst-case; the worst-case means
releasing everything from your site;,
when the public sees the worst-case;
we'll he run out of town; and we
have to prepare an emergency
response plan for the worst-case.
Page 2

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EPA: The RMP is not just about
worst-case. The RMP is about
accident prevention, risk reduction, and
dialog with first responders and the
iommunity about hazards, prevention
and emergency preparedness. An
emergency response plan does not
have to be built around the worst-case.
But certain aspects of the worst-case
should be considered in the emergency
planning process. For example,
releases in a certain wind direction and
distance may affect the capability of
emergency teams to reach the
accident site. The worst-case
scenario has dominated everyone's
attention because of the perception
that it is a real prediction or that it will
actually happen. It is only a scenario.
It communicates the notion that if you
did not have a prevention program in
place, here's what might happen.
Once you've communicated this, you
can then show what could really
happen (the alternative scenario), what
you are doing to make sure that
accidents are prevented, and what you
vill do if something does go wrong.
Several companies have already
rolled out their worst-case scenarios,
accident prevention programs, and
emergency response plans to the
public. Most often, the public has
come away with a better
understanding of what's going on, a
greater appreciation of company
efforts, and a recognition of why and
what they need to do in an emergency.
Issue: We have to publish maps
pinpointing the location of the worst-
case along with the 'death zones' or
'circles of death.' Somebody could
use this information to harm the
company or the community.
EPA: There is no requirement in
the RMP to publish maps pinpointing
the source of the worst-case or any
other off-site consequence assessment
element. However, maps are
extremely useful for communicating
with the public about the accidental
release scenarios. Many companies
have used maps to show escape
Page 3
routes, prevailing wind directions and
first responder routes for emergency
planning.
EPA indicated that a valuable way
to quickly share RMP information with
states, first responders, and the public
is via the Internet. However, EPA
agrees that off-site consequence
information could be misused if posted
on the World Wide Web.
Consequently, off-site consequence
information (worst-case scenarios,
etc.) will not be published on the
Internet. While EPA plans to post the
rest of the RMP information on the
Web, the Agency is working with state
and local governments and industry
groups to develop ways to share off-
site consequence information with the
public.
Help is Available
For more help and information,
direct your web browser to http^
www.epa.gov/ceppo
Or call the Hotline at (800) 424-
9346, local (703) 412-9810, TDD (800)
553-7672 for answers to your
questions and where and how to get
hardcopies of documents. In EPA
Region III, you also can call Mikal
Shabazzat(215)814-3281.
Craig Matthiessen is responsible for
technical issues related to the Risk
Management Program and leads
EPA s Chemical Accident
Investigation Team.
CAMEO
TRAINING
Canieo99 Conference
Dates: May 24-28
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Hotline: (703)934-3120
Web Site: www.epa.gov/
ceppo/cameo99. htm 1
"¦Includes special sessions on Risk
Management Program data man-
agement and Y2K issues.
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NATIONAL GUARD
ADDS CAPADILITY
FOR WEAPONS OF
MASS
DESTRUCTION
SUPPORT	
Col. Richard J. Matason
Director, Military Support to Civil
Authority, Pennsylvania Army National
Guard
The Army National Guard and the
Air National Guard have many
capabilities useful during state
emergencies, especially during those
involving hazardous materials. The
newest capability being added to the
Guard structure in 10 states, including
Pennsylvania, is the Military Support
Detachment, also known as the Rapid
Assessment Initial Detection Team.
This detachment of 22 highly-
trained personnel will support civilian
authorities by rapidly deploying to the
site of a suspected weapon of mass
destruction incident. They will assist
the incident commander in detecting
and identifying the agent used and in
assessing the situation and the need for
additional military assets. The team
will be trained to civilian HAZM AT
standards, will undergo HAZWOPER
and other specialized training, will be
certified to operate in the hot zone in
full PPE Level A protection, and will
have very sophisticated detection
equipment. The team will be validated
as mission capable no later than
January 2000.
Obtaining National Guard
Assistance During Hazardous
Material Incidents
The Army and Air National Guard
have organizations and units in all 54
states and territories with varying
capabilities. In addition to their federal
mission, units perform many state
missions that result from a variety of
disasters and emergencies, including
responses to hazardous material
April 1999 (£i

-------
incidents. Because it is a true
community-hascd organization, the
National Guard is uniquely positioned
and qualified to be the first military
ZJh e team will
be validated
as mission
capable no later than
January 2000.
responder during times of crisis and
emergency.
The Pennsylvania National Guard
has responded to hazardous material
incidents such as waterway oil spills
and chemical plant accidents. The
Guard's response capabilities during
hazardous material incidents are
situation-dependent and numerous. A
few examples include providing water
trailers and water purification units
during oil spill emergencies,
transportation assets and security
personnel during evacuations following
chemical plant incidents, and trained
staff and monitoring equipment for
events involving radiological or
radioactive material.
To obtain Guard assistance, the
local jurisdiction must forward its
needs to the county emergency
manager, who will forward it to the
state emergency management agency
if it cannot be met at the county level.
The state emergency management
agency coordinates the state-level
response. For example, in
Pennsylvania a local jurisdiction would
send a request to the county who
would forward it to the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency.
This agency would then request
assistance from the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs.
Colonel Matason is currently the
coordinator of the Guard's Weapons of
Mass Destruction Disaster Preparedness
Program and is the fielding officer for the
Rapid Assessment Initial Detection Team.
He can be reached at (717) H61-8MH.
2B April 1999
BENEFITS OF
GOOD LEPC & FIRE
DEPARTMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
Lt. Stephen T. Roth
Philadelphia Fire Department
In almost all communities, the
responders most at risk during
HAZMAT incidents are fire fighters.
Their safety depends upon having
reliable, up-to-date information about
facilities and the hazardous materials
at each facility. That means good
communication between fire
departments and the LEPC is a must.
Fire departments must maintain an
active role on their respective LEPCs
because they have the most to gain
from the LEPC's mission. Often fire
departments find they must not only
put out the fire, but also assume the
principal incident command
responsibilities and help with
remediation and the community's
return to pre-incident conditions. Fire
departments actively involved with the
planning process can make sure their
concerns are identified and addressed.
Fostering communications between
fire departments and LEPCs has other
benefits:
-	Enhanced Enforcement:
Combined fire department and LEPC
inspections endow inspectors with
more enforcement powers than either
one alone.
-	Possible Cost Recovery:
HAZMAT training, equipment and
response can financially stress a fire
department. Some of these costs may
be recovered from fees that facilities
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pay for hazardous chemicals
reportable under EPCRA. For
example, Pennsylvania Act 165
established that LEPCs may collect up
to $75 per year for each chemical
reported on a Tier II, and an annual
$ 100 planning fee for facilities required
to have an off-site emergency
response plan because they use an
EHS about threshold planning
quantities. These funds may only be
used to support a hazardous materials
emergency preparedness and response
program. This includes, but is not
limited to, support of the HAZMAT
functions of fire departments and their
state-certified HAZMAT teams.
- Improved Implementation of
Laws: As new federal, state and local
laws, regulations and standards are
enacted, strong communications
between LEPCs and fire departments
will make the related transitions
smoother. For example, information in
the Risk Management Plans required
by the Clean Air Act Amendments
can be used by LEPCs to improve
local emergency preparedness, a direct
benefit to fire departments.
Most important benefit—when
good communication between LEPCs
and fire departments results in better
coordination of emergency response
efforts, the ultimate beneficiaries are
our communities.
Lt. Stephen Roth serves in the Hazardous
Materials Administrative Unit of the
Philadelphia Fire Department. He is a
member of the Philadelphia Local
Emergency Planning Committee s sub-
committee that prepares off-site
emergency response plans for SARA
planning facilities. Lt. Roth can be
reached at (215) 6H5-H063.
Page 4
Good communication between LEPCs and fire
departments results in better coordination of
emergency response efforts; the ultimate
beneficiary is our community.

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U.S. EPA REGION III 1999 CHEMICAL
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND
PREVENTION CONFERENCE

1999J
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HOW TO REGISTER:
V	Mail: Send your completed registration form to KRA, Attn: CEPP C onfer-
ence Registration Clerk, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800, Silver Spring,
MD 10910.
V	Fax: Fax your form toll-free to (877) 804-CEPP.
V	Phone: Call our Hotline at (877) 804-CEPP.
V	E-Mail: Registeronlineatwww.epacepp.com.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Call the Washington Hilton directly at (202) 483-3000 or
Hilton Hotel's toll-free number (800) 445-8667. Make sure
you ask for the EPA CEPP Conference Rates.
MAKE A
DIFFERENCE
FAST FACTS
WHEN:
September 20 to 23
WHERE:
Washington Hilton & Towers
Washington, D.C
COST:
$95
"Yme0 Glitch"
Our conference hotel, the
Washington Hilton and Towers,
recently installed a new computer
system. In what henceforth will be
referred to as the "Yme2 Glitch,"
some of you who tried to make
federal government rate
reservations were given incorrect
information. My apologies to any
of our loyal conference attendees
who were given misinformation.
Here's the correct information:
•	There are a limited number of
government rate rooms at $ 115 plus
tax.
•	The conference room rate is $ 150
plus tax.
•	No deposit is required for either
type of room.
Any problems, call me, A1 Brown,
at (215) 814-3302.
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April 1999
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PARTIAL LIST Oh TOPICS
Countertefrorism
Medical Preparedness
Fire Department Roles
Transportation Issues
Tabletop Exercises
Chemical Weapons
Police Department Roles
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Maritime HAZMAT
Heaven's Gate Incident
Risk Screening Tools
Hospital Preparedness
Chemical Safety Hoard
Integrated Contingency Planning
HAZMA T Resources
Corporate Bottomlines
FBI Counlcrterrorism—Lessons Learned
Radiological Planning and Response
Air Monitoring
Emotional Crisis Defusing
Interactive Training Technologies
Emergency Response Pocket Plans
Risk Communication
Impact of / I2(r)
Airport/Aircraft Concerns
Case Studies
Chemical Safety Prevention
Leadership Training
Risk Management Programs
EPCRA Enforcement
LEPC Outreach Initiatives
Emergency Planning for the Disabled
Crisis Communication
Community Preparedness
Insurance Issues
Decision Making
Tentative Agenda


8:30 a.m. - Ongoing
Registration
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
State Emergency Response Commission Roundtable
Meeting; Guest Speaker: Jim Youngblood. WV Dept. of
Highways
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Plenary Session
-	Mayor Anthony Williams, Washington, D.C.
-	U.S. Senator John McCain (Arizona) (invited)
-	Thomas Voltaggio, Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA
Region III
-	Raymond Fatz, Acting Principal Deputy Asst. Secretary
U.S. Army
-	Kathryn Condon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Resources and Military Support, U.S. Army
-	Randy Speight, Managing Director of Distribution,
Chemical Manufacturers Association
-Ken Berry, M.D.. PREEMPT
4:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Tuesday, September 21, 1999

7:00 a.m. - Ongoing
Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Break
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Break
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions |
Wednesday, September 22, 1999

7:00 a.m. - Ongoing
Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a m.
Breakout Sessions

Break
10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Break
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
6:00 p.m.
Social Hour
7:00 p.m.
Banquet/Partnership Awards
Thursday, September 23, 1999

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Jim Makris, EPA Headquarters
8:30 a.m.- 10:30
Dr. Ohbu, Tokyo, Japan
10:30 a.m.
Dave Wright, EPA Region III
Note: Immediately preceding our conference, from Saturday, September
IS, through Monday, September 20, PREEMPT (Planned Response
Exercises and Emergency Medical Preparedness Training) will be holding
their annual conference at the Washington Hilton and Towers. Also, the
Regional Response Team will be holding their quarterly meeting
simultaneously with our conference.
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SOME OF OUR FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jim Makris, Director, Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office, U.S. EPA Headquarters
Mr. Makris oversees the development and implementation of all chemical accident preparedness and prevention programs and
has led the effort to reduce the likelihood and severity of chemical accidents. He also is responsible for establishing and
implementing a program to investigate significant chemical accidents. Mr. Makris holds several emergency response leadership
positions with EPA, including EPA's Emergency Coordinator and Chairman of the National Incident Coordination Team. Mr.
Makris also served for ten years as the Chair of the National Response Team.
Randy Speight, Managing Director of Distribution Programs, Chemical Manufacturers Association
Randy joined CM A following a 21-year career as an officer with the United States Coast Guard. He is responsible for all CMA
distribution and transportation issues and CMA's 24-hour Chemical Transportation Emergency Center. Randy has served as a
delegate to various international initiatives addressing emergency preparedness and response. He has also served on the US
delegation to several IMO initiatives addressing offshore oil and gas issues.
Mr. Speight also has been the Director of the US National Response Center.
Raymond Fatz, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
Mr. Fatz is responsible for providing leadership within the Department of Army to ensure timely compliance with the spirit and
intent of environmental, safety and occupational health mandates. His past responsibilities have included oversight of the
demilitarization and disposal of the U.S. stockpile of chemical agents and munitions, including technology development, emergency
preparedness and International Arms Control agreements. Mr. Fatz has represented the United States in the Hague, Netherlands as a
member of the delegation to the Preparatory Commission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The Fire Department's
Rale In Terrorism
Phil McArdle, New York City Fire Department
Phil has been a member of the hazardous materials response team
since its inception in 1984. He has worked to develop and build response
capabilities for incidents of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
Phil will not only discuss the capabilities of his fire department, but what
needs upgrading on hazardous materials response teams, how to use tiered
response to terrorism incidents, and why EMS needs to be integrated into
all HAZMAT terrorist responses.
Oklahoma City—What
Did We Learn?
Don Haldiinann, Special Agent, FBI
Learn what it takes for law enforcement and public safety entities to
effectively work together at the scene of a terrorist attack. More
importantly, learn from someone who's been there. Don Haldimann's
assignments have included Oklahoma City, the World Trade Center
bombing, the TWA Flight 800 crash, the Olympic Centennial Park
bombing, and other domestic and international terrorism incidents. He
specializes in Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Terrorist Task Force
development and operations. Critical Incident Response pre-planning and
first responder organization and post-blast investigations.
Case Study — Lodlv NJ
Explosion
Paul Kahn, On-Scene Coordinator, EPA Region II
As an On-Scene Coordinator, Paul (Calm's duties include emergency
response, chemical safety audits, and chemical accident investigations
Paul will be discussing tne explosion and fire at a fixed facility that killed
five workers. The fire and explosion demolished most of the plant,
destroyed or significantly damaged other nearby businesses, forced the
evacuation of hundreds of residents, and resulted in the release of
thousands of gallons of chemicals that were carried by firefighting water
runoff into streets and subsequently into the Saddle River. Paul's
workshop will include the results of the investigation that identified root
causes, contrihulinn factors, and recommendations.
Heaven's Bate—The Hazardous
Material Response
Nick Vent, County of San Diego Hazardous Materials Division
Nick Vent has responded to over 3,000 incidents in San Diego County.
One of the most interesting was finding the bodies of 39 members of the
Heaven's Gate cult. For the first seven hours after discovery, this incident
was a Hazardous Materials Response, especially since the first two
rcsponders experienced symptoms from odors in the residence. The
challenge was to perform a HAZMAT investigation without destroying
any potential evidence that could used in a criminal investigation.
HAZMAT personnel entered the facility in the dark and without the use
of radios come to Nick's workshop to find out why
Jerry Bromenshenk, Ph.D. University of Montana
Biomonitoring with Bees
Miners once carried canaries to warn of toxic gases. Dr. Bromenshenk, a research professor with the University of Montana,
has developed methods for using bees to assess environmental hazards. These "flying dustmops" are able to detect a full range of
hazardous substances including radionuclides and chemical agents. He has served as an investigator and consultant for numerous
research projects and has written more than 70 papers relating to environmental issues. He has received numerous
honors and awards for his research.
Dr. Sadayoshi Ohbu, St. Luke's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Subway Sarin Incident
Dr. Ohbu was one of the chief physicians responsible for decision making regarding treatment of the victims of the Tokyo
subway sarin incident. St. Luke's hospital treated 641 of the more than 5,500 incident victims. Dr. Ohbu is Director of the Mitsui
Clinic and teaches clinical epidemiology at St. Luke's and other medical universities.
Kathrvn Condon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resources and Military Support, Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army
Ms. Condon serves as the focal point for the planning and oversight of the Army's military support to civil authorities and
military assistance for civil disturbances, weapons of mass destruction, domestic preparedness, and military support for special
events She has held numerous management positions in the Army and included among her awards and decorations are the
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Commanders' Award for Civilian Service and the Army Achievement Medal.
cma-
Chemical Manufacturers Association
CONFERENCE
Regional /
\ Response /

PARTNERS
i /W. *
V
'Nr.. ¦>'

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April 1999 .&h

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Conference Planning Committee Membera
Mr. Alan Brown, Conference Director
U.S. EPA, Region III
Ms. Katrina Harris, Committee Chair
General Physics Corporation
Ms. Linda Baines, U.S. Coast Guard
Ms. Cindy Barheau
U.S. Navy Atlantic Division
Mr Willie Barnes
Maritime A dm in is (ration
Dr. William Barrett
Mr. Tom Brennan, Roy F. Weston, Inc.
Mr .John Brinkman, IM Tech America
Mr. Robert Broyles, PEMA
Mr. Jake Burreli. Pentagon
Mr. J. Patrick Con Ion
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard
Investigation Board
Mr. Tom Crane
Great Lakes Commission
Lt. Doug Dillon
U.S. Coast Guard
Ms. Carolyn Gravely-Moss
D C. Emergency Management Agency
Mr. Tom Irving, A. Duie Pyle, Inc.
Ms. Carole Macko
U.S. EPA. HQ
Ms. Linda Marzulli
U.S. EPA. Region III
Regional Response Team
Mr. Buzz Melton, FMC Corp.
Ms. Debbie Moody
U.S. EPA, Region III
Lt. Maty Moses
Harford County Emergency Operations
Ms. Kate Narburgh
U.S. EPA, HQ
Mr. Thomas Neumann
Meredith Management
Mr Bill O 'NeilI
National Reconnaissance Office
Mr. David Patti, PCIC
Dr. Mich ele Penick
D C. LEPC
Ms. Ruth Ellen Shelhaus, LEPC Exchange
Mr. Larry Skelly, U.S. Army
Mr. Jim Solyst, CMA
Ms. Helene Stolker
U.S. EPA, Region III
Mr. John J. Walsh, Andrews AFB
Ms. Lora Werner, FEMA
Mr Eric Weinstein
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
The Washington, D.C. Local Emergency Planning Committee is offering organizations two excellent ways to
effectively market their products and/or services or feature their emergency preparedness programs. They have
arranged for even more exhibit space than at previous CEPP Conferences. Exhibit spaces start at $1,200 and include
complimentary conference registrations and one banquet ticket. Monday's reception will be held in the exhibit hall and
displays will be open. Displays also will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition to the anticipated 1,500
attendees, displays will be open to non-registered individuals, such as local government employees.
Sponsorships are available starting at $3,500. All sponsors will receive one exhibit space, complimentary
registration and banquet tickets, recognition in the banquet program, and extensive publicity on Conference materials.
Call Tim Campbell at (610) 644-7149 (e-mail TRSCampbell@compuserve.com) or the Conference Hotline at (877)
804-CEPP for more information on becoming a sponsor or exhibitor. Information is also available through the web site
at www.epacepp.com
REGISTRATION FORM
The following information will appear on your name tag:
Ms./Mrs./Mr./Dr.: First Name: Last Name:.
Organization: Title:
Additional Information:
Street Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Phone: Fax: E-Mail
Affiliation:
~DoD GState Government
~Other Federal Government ^Local Government
~Industry QMedical
~Other:
Pay Now or Pay Later
Enclosed is my check or money order for $95, payable to DC Local Emergency Planning Council
($95 fee includes Monday's reception and Wednesday's banquet).
Charge my credit card: Visa MasterCard _American Express
Card # Cardholder Name
Cardholder Signature
I will be paying upon arrival at the conference .
Mail completed form and payment to: KRA, Attn: CEPP Conference Registration Clerk, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800,
Silver Spring, MD 10910. Call the Hotline if you need information for purchase orders or training forms .
,5W April 1999 © Printed on recycled paper using soy ink

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On February 4, 1999, the EPA Administrator signed the Final Rule which raises the gasoline and diesel fuel thresholds
that trigger Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) reporting and annual chemical inventory reporting under sections 311 and
312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This Final Rule, published in the Federal
Register on February 11, promulgates new threshold levels of 75,000 gallons for gasoline and 100,000 gallons for diesel
fuel, when stored entirely underground at retail gas stations that comply with requirements for underground storage tanks.
These new thresholds are expected to relieve most retail gas stations from reporting gasoline and diesel fuel under these
sections of EPCRA. However, gas stations should check with the appropriate state agency to see if they must report
under any applicable state law. EPA Headquarters published the following guidance on the most frequently asked
questions regarding the Final Rule. If you have other questions, you can call the EPCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346.
UPDATE QUI EPA REEULATIOMS
Carole Dougherty f'-flL's
U. S. EPA, Region III \jjjy
1. Are SERCs, LEPCs or fire
departments now required to determine
if facilities are in compliance with
UST requirements?
No. SERCs, LEPCs and fire
departments are not required to make
the determination themselves. They
may obtain compliance information
from state UST programs.
2. Do facilities have to comply with
te federal UST requirements or with
ate UST requirements to be eligible
to use the new gasoline and diesel fuel
thresholds?
Facilities must comply with either
federal UST requirements (40 CFR part
280) or, if applicable, the requirements
of the state UST program approved by
EPA under 40 CFR part 281.
J. How does temporary non-
compliance with UST requirements
affect applicability of the new EPCRA
thresholds?
Retail gas stations that were not in
compliance with all applicable UST
requirements at any time during a
calendar year may not apply the new
thresholds for EPCRA reporting for that
calendar year. The facility must be in
compliance with UST requirements at
all times during a particular calendar
year to use the new thresholds for
reporting for that year.
For purposes of using the new
EPCRA gasoline and diesel fuel
thresholds, when is a retail gas station
considered "not in compliance" with
UST requirements?
A facility is not in compliance with
the UST requirements (and therefore
not eligible for the new EPCRA
thresholds) when it first fails to meet
the UST requirements. For example, if
an owner or operator of a retail gas
station has a tank system that was not
in compliance with UST requirements
that went into effect in December of
1998 (see 40 CFR 280.21(a) and
281.31), that owner or operator can not
apply the new thresholds in today's rule
for the EPCRA section 312 report
which was due March 1, 1999.)
5. If a retail gas station stores gasoline
or diesel fuel in both aboveground and
underground tanks, what thresholds do
they apply to determine if they have to
report gasoline or diesel fuel? If they
have to report, do they report all the
gasoline and diesel fuel at the facility?
Any retail gas station that has at least
10,000 pounds of gasoline or diesel fuel
stored in tanks that are not entirely
underground must report on the total
gasoline or diesel fuel at the facility,
including any that is stored entirely
underground. Similarly, any retail gas
station that has at least 75,000 gallons
of gasoline or 100,000 gallons of diesel
fuel stored entirely underground must
report on the total gasoline or diesel fuel
at the facility, including any that is not
stored entirely underground. In other
words, whether the facility triggers the
threshold for underground storage or
for aboveground storage, they report on
the total gasoline or diesel fuel at the
facility.
6. Are the new gasoline and diesel fuel
thresholds effective for the reports that
were due March I, 1999?
Yes. The new thresholds were
effective beginning with the reports that
were due on or before March 1, 1999,
which cover 1998 calendar year
inventories. However, retail gas stations
should check with the appropriate state
agency to see if they must comply with
EPCRA hazardous chemical inventory
reporting requirements under any
applicable state law.
7. What do state UST offices need to
know and to do?
In general, only the largest of retail
gas stations needed to submit gas and
diesel inventories for calendar year 1998
under this final regulation - most other
owners/operators will no longer have to
report under EPCRA Section 312.
Regardless of whether retail gas stations
qualify for the new gas and diesel
EPCRA reporting threshold, these
facilities must still report under state
UST requirements. Because of this final
regulation, UST offices may receive
more requests for information and
outreach assistance from SERCs. In
turn, SERCs/LEPCs can be a valuable
source of information on USTs not
included in existing databases.
Carole Dougherty is EPA Region III s
EPCRA Enforcement Coordinator.
Page 5
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April 1999

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CEPP
CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP

SPOTLIGHT

katrina Harris

Planning Committee Chair

General Physics Corporation
1 mm f<
* \ \ J
\ '9HIH
"Stress City" Joins
Conference
One of the new additions to our
CEPP Conference is the dynamic
"Stress City" developed by Chief
Steve Hardman of the Nitro, West
Virginia Fire Department. A three-
dimensional, tabletop model, Stress
City takes a hands-on approach in
training emergency planners and
responders. Steve's miniature
buildings, vehicles, people and streets
will be used in several tabletop
exercises during his workshop;
scenarios being considered include
fixed facility, transportation and
terrorism. His training also will
incorporate dealing with national media
and a broader range of law
enforcement agencies that will be
involved in incidents such as terrorism.
Stress City's unique U-shape
allows emergency planners and
responders accessibility during training
exercises. According to Steve, "This
is important because we want
participants to set up hot zones and
command posts and see the impacts.
For example, if the wind shifts, a
command post may become
contaminated. Or, a shelter-in-place
order may close businesses and have
significant impact."
Steve has been a model train
fanatic almost since birth; he received
his first train from his father at the age
of 11 months. About 15 years ago,
while watching some model trains
crash, Steve got the idea of creating a
small-scale model city for use in
training exercises. He began building
Stress City about 2 years ago.
When asked what participants in
his workshop at the Conference will
gain, Steve said: "I want them to
leave encouraged and more confident
when they are responding to an
incident or in charge of an incident.
This is a great opportunity to better
their skills in a training environment."
Terrorism and Hospital
Preparedness
You have a plan, you've practiced
it, you think you're ready. But are you
ready to handle 5.000 affected victims
simultaneously?
One of the 1999 CEPP
Conference speakers we are most
excited about is Sadayoshi Ohbu,
M.D. of St. Luke's Hospital in Tokyo.
Dr. Ohbu was the lead physician in
planning and making decisions on the
treatment of victims of the sarin
poisoning on the Tokyo subway. On
the day of the disaster, 641 of the
victims arrived at St. Luke's.
According to Dr. Ohbu, St. Luke's had
a plan and regularly conducted
disaster drills. The nerve gas attack
was so unprecedented in nature and
size that the plans were inadequate.
St. Luke's had no means of handling
such an extraordinarily large number
of simultaneously affected patients.
The hospital was initially presented
with a variety of problems—critically
ill patients, affected pregnant women,
and secondary contamination of
hospital staff. A significant long-term
complication arose with almost 60% of
victims suffering from continued
psychological distress.
Dr. Ohbu is very enthusiastic about
the conference and the opportunity to
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share his experience. In addition to
reviewing the details of the incident.
Dr. Ohbu plans to present new data on
the long-term effects of the poisoning.
According to Dr. Ohbu, one of the
major lessons learned was the
importance of worldwide cooperation
among professionals in managing and
overcoming incidents of this magnitude.
Don't miss this opportunity to get ready
and Make a Difference!
Note: Special thanks to Northwest
Airlines for being a Conference sponsor
and flying Dr. Ohbu from Japan to D.C.
SURVIVING AIM
EXPLOSION OR
FIRE	
David Patti
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council
The Pennsylvania Chemical
Industry Council (PCIC) will offer an
important one-day conference on
Wednesday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m., at the Hanisburg Marriott. The
meeting is a follow-up on the accident
at Concept Sciences and other recent
events and follows the Risk
Management Plan deadline. At the
workshop, "survivors" will tell their
stories. Dr. Paul Hill of the Chemical
Safety Board will be the keynote
luncheon speaker.
As you can imagine, our industry
was rocked by the events at Concept
Sciences. While Concept Sciences
was not a member of the PCIC or the
Chemical Manufacturers Association,
the incident has forced another "gut
check." Are we as safe and prepared
as we think? In this workshop we will
explore those issues and consider what
to do if something happens in one of
our facilities.
PCIC will discuss communication
with the media and the surrounding
community after an industrial accident.
Tom Brennan (Philadelphia Fire
Department, retired) of Roy F. Westod
will address some of these issues from
the point-of-view of first responders.
PCIC also will raise the issues related
Page 6

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to employee communication and
morale. Legal teams will discuss the
liability, financial, and regulatory
ramifications of an incident. We'll also
explore applications of new technology.
Daniel HillmanofGeosphere
Emergency Response Systems will
demonstrate his firm's expert system.
The Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency and Director
Charles Wynne have been invited to
participate.
For more information, cull PCIC at (717)
232-66fiI or visit our Web Site at
www.pcic.org.
Everyone at one point in their
career has received mugs, pen sets,
and all sorts of things that say well
done, good job, and thanks. The U.S.
EPA Region III 1999 Chemical
Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention (CEPP) Partnership
Awards cannot be found in any award
catalogs. The awards are as unique
and individual as the people and groups
who receive them.
Nominations for the U.S. EPA
Region III 1999 Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and Prevention
Partnership Awards are now being
accepted to recognize individuals and
organizations who demonstrate
creativity and innovation in their
emergency planning and preparedness
programs. The Awards Committee is
seeking nominations of persons and
groups who have gone beyond what is
required by law or by job description
and have helped "Make a Difference."
Some past recipients include the Naval
Amphibious Base Little Creek, Ft.
Eustis, Heico Chemicals, Maryland
Emergency Management Agency,
South Baltimore Industrial Mutual Aid
Plan Group, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Ruth Ellen Shelhaus, Jake
Burrell, DuPont Belle/West Virginia
Page 7
Works, International Paper, and Berks
County PA LEPC.
This year's recipients will receive
their awards at the 10th CEPP
Conference in Washington D.C.
Nominations will be accepted through
July 1, 1999.
To submit a nomination or nominate
oneself, describe the accomplishments
in 1 -2 pages and mail it to: Harford
County Division of Emergency
Operations, Attn: Lt. Mary Moses,
2220 Ady Road, Forest Hill MD
21050. You may also fax the
nomination to (410) 879-5091 or send
by e-mail to mmoses@co.ha.md.us.
When using fax or e-mail, please call
(410) 638-4904 to confirm receipt. You
can also submit an application directly
through the conference website at
www.epacepp.com.
So put away that catalog and
nominate that hard-working group or
individual for a U.S. EPA Region III
1999 Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and Prevention
Partnership Award today. Any
questions, call me at (410) 638-4904 or
A1 Brown at (215)814-3302.
FREE TRAINING
FROM FEMA
Lora Siegmann Werner
Preparedness, Training & Exercises
Division, Federal Emergency
Management Agency
If completing training from the
convenience of your own desk sounds
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appealing, explore the independent
study options available from the
Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Emergency
Management Institute (EMI). These
courses are free of charge, self-paced
and designed for the general public and
emergency management professionals.
Each course includes practice
exercises and a final exam; those
scoring 75% or better are issued a
certificate of completion.
Courses include Radiological
Emergency Management; Hazardous
Materials: A Citizen's Orientation;
Basic Incident Command System;
Radiological Emergency Response;
and, An Orientation to Hazardous
Materials for Medical Personnel.
Completing a course takes about 10-12
hours.
You can enroll by obtaining an
application form from State and local
emergency management offices,
FEMA regional offices, or EMI's
National Emergency Training Office of
Admissions (800-238-3358, ext. 1035
or 301-447-1035). Ask for FEMA
Form LI 73. You can also obtain the
form or enroll in a course through the
Internet by going to www.fema.gov/
emi/ishome.htm.
Call Angela Hough at (215) 931 -
5564 for more information about
FEMA training. If you have questions
about FEMA hazardous materials
program issues, call me at (215) 931 -
5724 or e-mail me at
lora.werner@fema.gov.	
April 1999
EPA PARTNERSHIP
AWARDS	
Lt. Mary K. Moses
Harford County Emergency Operations
Chair, Awards Committee
COUNTERTERRORISM TRAINING
FACILITY PROPOSED ll\l
WV TUNNEL
The West Virginia Parkway Authority's Memorial Tunnel, located
near Charleston, is being evaluated for use as a counterterrorism
training and testing facility for first responders. The National Guard
Bureau, the West Virginia National Guard, and the U.S. Department
of Justice have become very interested in the reuse of the tunnel.
Construction of a new real-life facility would take years and
potentially cost more than $ 100,000,000, whereas the Memorial
Tunnel Facility is virtually ready for this use.
Look for more information in the next issue of the EPCRA
Update.

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EPC RA Update is published periodically on an irregular basis by the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention (C EPP) folks at EPA Region 111 under the direction of A1 Brown. Our goal is to provide interesting, informative,
helpful, and often timely EPC RA and CEPP information to hazardous materials emergency planners, responders and
stakeholders across EPA III Region and beyond. If you have a story you would like to tell, a point you'd like to make,
or simply want to have your very own copy of EPCRA Update, just fill out this form and mail it to: Al Brown, EPA
Region III (3HS33), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029. You may also fax this form to215-814-3254ore-
mail to brown.alan@epa.gov.
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