U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III SEPTEMBER 2001 Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Dear Readers: It "s doubtful that much in the way of words or condolences can be meaningfully added to what has already been written and said about the tragedies at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a remote field in western Pennsylvania. Still, we in the emergency response program of EPA Region III, and the entire Region for that matter, share in our country's horror, sorrow, anger and resolve. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims 'families and friends, and to the tireless teams of first responders, volunteers and government personnel who labor day and night in response to these senseless acts. Two of the plane crashes occurred in our Region, and a number of our EPA personnel immediately responded. Our Regional Response Center was heavily manned all day; we followed our emergency plans and responded to any and all requests for help, advice and direction as quickly and calmly as we could. And yet while we implemented our plans, we too felt those terrible feelings offutility that troubled the nation. Our new Regional Administrator, Don Welsh, was there with us all day Tuesday, and much of the days that followed. He is proud, as am I, of all our EPA personnel—those who manned the phones, reported to emergency operation centers, responded to the crash scenes to provide environmental monitoring and consultation, or whom acted in other capacities, whether it was to secure our own facility or to provide technical and administrative support to those rushed into the field to respond. We also sent employees to the New York area, and along with EPA personnel from around the country, as we have tried to help Region II deal with the massive devastation in New York City. Yes, It 'was a day we wiii never Jorget; and now we are once again involved in vet another but this time very different kind of war. A war that will test not just our nation's military and intelligence organizations, but one that will make demands on our emergency planning, preparedness and response capabilities like never before. We must build upon our experiences this time in responding to these acts of terrorism, and teach ourselves how to be even better prepared for the next event. For while we all pray such events will never again occur, we owe it to ourselves, our communities and our country to always be prepared At the same time, we are confident that those brave souls in our first responder organizations, those who are this great country's first line of emergency response, will always be there in service to their communities. And we in EPA Region III along with our partners in the States and other Federal agencies who make up the Regional Response Team, will be there to support them in their planning, preparedness and response efforts. God Bless America! Dennis Carney U.S. EPA Region ill Chief, Removal Branch See Inside For Information On The 2001 Chemical Emergency Preparedness And Prevention Conference And A List Of Workshops On Topics For Industry, Federal Facilities, Fire Service, Law Enforcement, Medical, LEPCS, Emergency Managers And Planners, SERCS, Maritime, And Counter-Terrorism Specialists Chemical Emergency Preparedness &J^reventionJj£da^ ------- CHEMICAL SAFETY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS MADE AT TWO PLANTS William McHale, P.E., EPA Region III Anne Malone, General Physics Corp. Nova Chemical EPA Region III has been working closely with Nova Chemical to identify and implement safety improvements at its Pennsylvania plant. Nova Chemical, located in Monaca, PA, is the largest polystyrene producer in North America. In August 1999, they had a spill of approximately 7,600 pounds of styrene to the atmosphere; an investigation revealed the cause was human error. The operator accidently punched in an incorrect temperature set point. The product that left the reactor was contained onsite. Prior to the incident, Nova Chemi- cal had begun "Project Advantage," a proactive program to design and implement upgrades to the plant to improve process operability and safety. After the incident, NOVA con- ducted an Operational Safety Standard (OSS) review of the polystyrene process identifying 27 possible scenarios that could lead to hazards. The results were shared with EPA during their initial visit. During EPA's follow up, they ob- served that extensive changes were made. The following summarizes three significant improvements: • One of the biggest changes made to the plant was that all the steps involved in the batch reaction are now comput- erized. Included in the computer system is an interlock system that locks out incorrect inputs and a simulator. The simulator allows all operators to train on the system, helping to eliminate human error~the root cause of the 1999 incident. • Another change made was relocating the exhaust from the reactor, which ties into a common manifold for all the reactors. This manifold is now on the roof and is temperature controlled to preclude any polymerization. This change also makes the manifold more accessible for servicing and cleaning. • A new safety manual was written to meet OSHA Process Safety Management and EPA Risk Management Program stan- dards. A safety committee eon - sisting of maintenance person- nel and chemical operators reviewed the procedures for the new manual to ensure everyone understands what needs to be done. Better Baked Foods Another company that EPA has been working closely with is Better Baked Foods, located in North East, Pennsylvania. For more than 30 years, Better Baked Foods has created and diversified the market as the originator and leading man- ufacturer of French Bread Pizzas. Better Baked Foods had ammonia releases in July of 1997 and 2000. EPA imposed a $10,000 fine, and Better Baked Foods agreed to a Supplemental Environmental Project costing at least $100,000. EPA recently vis- ited Better Baked Foods to review some of the changes made, a few of which are highlighted below. • Installation of an ammonia detection system providing early alerts in the system. This system sounds an alarm and pages per- tinent employees through a call down system informing them of a leak. • Installation of OSHA donut valves lockouts on receiving valves of receivers to provide security against the theft of ammonia. • Piping up to roof pressure release valves on receivers and tying ammonia sensor into the common manifold on roof to provide additional safety for the surrounding community with an alert following an unusually high-pressure condition in the system. • Installation of a switch for ven- tilation of compressor/ recycle rooms, mounted outside of the rooms, so that responders may ventilate rooms without entering them. • Installation of a low-level probe and alarm in water sump serving condensers of new compressor/recycle system that provides additional safety for the refrigeration system. • Installation of mechanical barri- ers surrounding ammonia coils, valves and piping that could be impacted by forklift traffic. • Abandoning outdated freezer systems due to concerns over the structural soundness of the rooms for continued use as freezers. (For more information on preventing ammo- nia releases, see page 10 for a chemical safety alert developed by EPA.) 2 Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- COUNTER-TERRORISM THE CENTER FOR NATIONAL RESPONSE A Unique Counter-terrorism Training Facility Mel Wick, Program Manager CNR Imagine your surprise at coming face to face with a Boston Green Line subway car in a high- way tunnel in the middle of West Virginia That is but one of the five unusual sights you will find in this unique training facility. The Center for National Response (CNR) located at the West Virginia Memorial Tunnel is a congressionally directed Depart- ment of Defense Weapons of Mass Destruction Consequence Management and Counter-Terror- ism Training and equipment test- ing facility. The CNR is open to all of the nation's first responders and provides unique training opportu- nities for local, State, Federal, and Department of Defense agencies responsible for responding to ter- rorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction. The CNR is a 2800-foot long highway tunnel with over 79,000 square feet of training space. The tunnel was originally constructed in 1953 and was active as part of the West Virginia Turnpike until 1987. From 1990 to 1997, the Federal Highway Administration and the Massachusetts Highway I > — *$ I • | M . . ,! I i Department used the tunnel to conduct the Memorial Tunnel Fire Ventilation Test Program. The results of this test program were used in the design of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston and other similar projects. In May 2000, Research Plan- ning Incorporated, a BTG Com- pany, was awarded the contract to develop and operate this National Training Center. The CNR provides five major training venues that can be con- figured to meet the needs of the individual user: 1. A realistic highway tunnel sce- nario involving an 18 wheeler with a tank trailer or a box trailer and numerous other vehicles can be configured to replicate a Hazmat incident or a deliberate terrorist incident with chemical or biological agents. Add a bus full of passengers and you could easily have a hostage situation for law enforcement. Placing an improvised explosive devise adds the EOD element. 2. Three separate illicit chemical/ m> ti v * , i ' & ' 1 r biological/drug labs provide an unlimited number of scenarios for first responders, law enforce- ment, or inter-agency actions. 3. The subway prop includes a subway station with high and low platforms, a mezzanine, and a real subway car from the Boston green line with 500 feet of track and tunnel with a venti- lation and electrical room. 4. The post blast rubble area can be configured to replicate a collapsed building, an under- ground parking garage, or other blast-damaged areas as a result of a terrorist bombing. The rubble area with vehicles and other hazards can include simulated chemical/biological agents. Canine search and rescue units, fire rescue teams, and EOD teams, as well as law enforcement personnel have used this prop. 5. The emergency egress (con- fined space) trainer can be con- figured to several levels of dif- ficulty and has been used to practice casualty locating and evacuation in different levels of personal protective equipment. Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update 3 ------- EPA CONFERENCE AND AWARDS PROGRAM The CNR is a multi-purpose training facility providing challeng- ing training, exercises, and opera- tional equipment testing in realistic environments. This setting allows response teams to practice their techniques and experiment with new procedures without disrupting any commercial or public activity. There are no user fees being charged for use of the Center for National Response by local, state and federal responders during FY01 and FY02. For further information on training at the CNR visit our web site at www.centerfornationalresponse. com or EMAIL CNR@RPIHQ.COM Dear Readers: Someone the other day (who for their own good shall remain nameless) sent me an e-mail to ask if our 2001 Conference was still scheduled. Now just for a moment, in the interest of decorum, try to put aside the fact that the conference has been ongoing since 1993 and began as a regional SERC/LEPC conference albeit much, much smaller, try to put aside the fact that it's the largest and unquestionably best conference of its kind anywhere in these great United States, try to put aside the fact that its grown in attendance over 20% each and every year it's held, try to put aside the fact that this year for the first time ever we been joined by EPA Headquarters which means not only is this year's conference guaranteed to be the very best ever assembled but is now unquestionably international in scope and intent, try to put aside the fact that we've only been working on this year's conference since last fall and have already overcome obstacles that would definitely overwhelm the Washington Redskins and numerous lessor individuals, try to put aside the fact that we've gotten commitments to speak from EPA Administrator Whitman, Congressman Curt Weldon, and have high hopes that Governor Tom Ridge will make an appearance-yes, try to put aside these stone-cold facts and answer the person's idiotic question. You 're damn right we 're going to hold the conference! Now that that's been put to rest, let's move on. However, I did, in a moment of spite, inform Aunt SARA III of the individual's name, address, and phone number who asked the stupid question to begin with. May God forgive me. There's a lot about this year's conference elsewhere in this issue and even as you read this, our conference brochure is winging its way-fiy>vard you. It will he an absolutely, outstanding event and it's of the utmost importance for quite obvious reasons that you attend. Enough said. U.S. EPA, Region III Chemical Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (ft AWARDS PROGRAM SEEKING NOMINATIONS An exciting and important part of the EPA Region III Chem- ical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Conference has always been recognizing those individuals and organizations who are making a difference. This year with the inclusion of the EPA International Hazmat Spills Prevention Conference we are expanding the awards pro- gram to include individuals and organizations outside of the Region III area. Entry is simple and there is only one qualification. Send a one or two-page description of an indi- vidual or organization (can even be yourself!) that is making a difference—going beyond what is required by law or job description and fulfilling the spirit of prepared- ness, prevention and response, particularly with creativity and innovativeness. Chairing the Awards Sub-Com- mittee this year will be Mark Scott, President of the National Institute for Chemical Studies. Entries must be received by October 30 and can be submitted to Mark by e-mail, fax or mail: Mr. Mark Scott, President National Institute for Chemical Studies 2300 MacCorkle Avenue, SE Charleston, WV 25304 e-mail: mscott@nicsinfo.org fax: (304) 346-6349 Recipients of partnership awards will be recognized at the 2001 Conference closing lun- cheon on Thursday, December 13. Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- EPA Region III Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Conference and EPA International Hazmat Spills Prevention Conference December 9-13, 2001 Marriott Waterfront • Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Maryland OVERVIEW This conference is expected to attract more than 1,600 participants from across the U.S. and internationally. Close to one hundred exhibits will provide you with the latest information on services and products, including a number of exciting new products. With more than 100 workshops, computer training sessions, off-site tours, networking opportunities, and DuPont's Street Smart Chemistry training, this is a unique opportunity you don't want to miss. EXHIBIT HALL Booth space is selling fast but a few spaces are avail- able. The 2001 Conference Exhibit Hall is a prime oppor- tunity for companies and agencies to highlight their ser- vices, products, and outreach programs to the decisions makers and managers who will attend the conference. For more information about exhibiting, call the Confer- ence Hotline at 800-364-7974 or visit the conference Web Site at www.2001conference.org. SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Sunday, December 9, 2001 8.00 am. • 4 00 p.m. DuPonl Slreot Smart Chemistry UauUng program (Day 1)* Monday. December 10, 2001 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Registration Desk open 8 00 a.m. -4:00 p.m DuPont Street Smart Chemistry training program (Day 2)" 9:00 a.m. • 3:30 p.m. Exhibitor Set Up 10:00 a.m Noon SERC Roundtable 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. General Session 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Reception in Exhibit Hall Tuesday. December 11,2001 7:30 a.m. • 5:00 p.m. Exhibit hall open 8.00 a.m. - 9 30 a.m Workshops/Training 10:00 a m. - 11:30 a.m. General Session 1 00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. OuPoni Street Smart Chemntry training program (Day 3)* 1 00 p.m. • 4:30 p.m. VVorktthops/Tialntng Wednesday, Decembor 12, 2001 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall open 8:00 a.m. ¦ 9:30 a.m. Genera) Section 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Workthops/Training 1:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Workshops/Training Thursday. December 13, 2001 8 30 a.m. -1115 a.m. General Sesaion lt:30 am. -1:00 p.m Closing luncheon'Awarda Program •(pre-regtatration Is required tor the Street Smart Chemistry program) Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update 5 ------- TRAVELING TO THE CONFERENCE HOTEL RESERVATIONS BALTIMORE MARRIOTT WATERERONT (ALL COHKRfNtt mm AND WORKSHOPS WILL K A! TtK MARRIOTT WATfRfROKl) The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront is located at 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, Maryland. All rooms have a view of Baltimore's exciting Inner Harbor, with many attractions and restaurants within walking distance. Public transportation also is readily available so you won't need a car. Conference rate rooms are still available at $145 plus tax. The government rate ($110) room block is sold out (see information to the right about government rate rooms at the Courtyard Marriott). For reservations, call (410) 385-3000 or (800) 228-9290 and tell them you are attending the EPA Conference. Or, register online at www.marriotthotels.com.The Group Codes are ERTERTA for conference rate rooms and ETTETTA for government rate rooms. (Please note that appropriate government identification is required at check-in to receive the government rate.) COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN/INNER HARBOR The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown is located at 1000 Aliceanna Street in Baltimore, a short walk from the Marriott Waterfront. Government rate rooms are available at the Courtyard for $110 plus tax. For reservations, call (443) 923-4000 or (800) 321-221 I. Tell them you are attending the EPA Conference and ask for a reservation out of the Post/List group room block. Or, register online at www.courtyard.com/ bwidt. The Group Code for a king size bed is EPAEPAA and the Group Code for two double beds is EPAEPAB. PROBLEMS WITH HOTEL RESERVATIONS If you have any problems with hotel reservations, please call the Conference Hotline at (800) 364-7974 and we will be glad to assist you. TRANSPORTATION AMIRAK DISCOUNT Amtrak offers a 15% discount off the lowest available fare to Baltimore. This dis- counted fare is available starting December 8 through December 15. To book your reservation, call Amtrak at (800) 872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Make sure you refer to fares order number X288 when making your reserva- tions. This offer is not valid on weekday Metro- liner or Acela Express service. ARRIVING BY AIR The Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 9 miles from downtown Baltimore. The taxi fare is approximately $20. Light Rail trains also run from the Airport to downtown Baltimore. TOURING "CHARM CITY" The Inner Harbor is Baltimore's centerpiece. More than 250 eateries and shops are located in the two glass-enclosed pavilions of Haborplace. At either end of the Inner Harbor district, there are numerous artistic, culinary and entertainment attractions. Some of the other places you'll want to be sure to visit include: the National Aquarium, B&O Railroad Museum, the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore Zoo, the Babe Ruth Museum, and the Baltimore Maritime Museum. For more information on all that Baltimore has to offer, visit www.baltimore.org or www.ci.baltimore.md.us. | Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- CONFERENCE AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS TRAINING SESSIONS DuPont's Street Smart Chemistry • Hands-On CAMEO® Training • Clandestine Meth Labs (law enforcement track) Chemical/Biological Agents (medical track) TABLETOP EXERCISES Railroad Incident by CSX • Ship Incident with the Maritime Administration • Counter-Terrorism Incident with Crysis City GENERAL SESSION SPEAKERS Monday's General Session: Tuesday's General Session: Wednesday's General Session: Thursday's General Session: Thursday Luncheon: Christie Whitman, EPA Administrator; Don Welsh, EPA Region III Administrator; Mayor Martin O'Malley, City of Baltimore; M. Nuns Jain, Director, Maritime Administration South Atlantic Region; Representative from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations & Environment Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism with Congressman Curt Weidon and Michael Wermuth, RAND Corporation World Trade Center, Pentagon and Western Pennsylvania terrorism attacks. Emergency Planning For Special Events/Special Venues with Chuck Burris of the New York City Transit Office of System Safety, Ed Klima of Dover Downs, and Chief John Evans of West Valley City Fire Department (2002 Winter Olympics). Jim Makris, Director, EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS These are a sample of the many workshops that will be offered. More details are in our full Confer- ence Brochure and we'll be updat- ing our Web Site frequently. International Emergency Response Capabilities Gerhard Putnam-Cramer, Chief United Nations Emergency Sen/ices Branch CAMEO® Lectures by EPA and NOAA Staff (LandView 5, Assessing Hazards of Chem- icals, Difference Between Old and New CAMEO®, CAMEO® Advanced Topics, CAMEO® and EPCRA Data, Moving Data Between Old and New, Future of CAMEO®) Incident Command System Chief Alan Brunacini Phoenix Fire Dept. Baltimore Tunnel Case Study Scott Gorton, CSX Tranportation Donald Heinbuch, Baltimore City Fire Department Richard McKoy, Baltimore City Office of Disaster Control The Response to Terrorism: Where Do We Stand? Norm Smith Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Transportation of Radiological Materials Ella McNeil U.S. DOE Crisis Communication Rene Henry Author and Consultant Responding to Air Force Plane Crashes Neil Krosner US Air Force Are We Making a Difference in Chemical Safety? Kim Jennings U S- EPA RMP Implementation Fermin Rodriguez HOVENSA National Center for Reaponse Mel Wick Response Planning Inc. Ammonia Incidents and Case Studies David Binder Tanner Industries Environmental Crimes and Enforcement, DOJ Propane Emergencies National Propane Gas Association Greg Noll, Hildebrand & Noll A Perspective on Bhopal R. K. Bisarya, former Mayor of Bhopal City of Bhopal Fire Service Representative Accident Investigations Robert Chipkevich National Transportation Safety Board School Safety Program Mike Harris Georgia Emergency Management Agency Starting a HAZMAT Team Larry Mabe Harford County Division of Emergency Opera- tions Emergency Planning for Citizens wtth Disabilities Cari T. Cameron, Ph.D. Using Emergency Response Contractors Chris Wagner HMHTTC Response Incorporated Hot Zone Forensic Evidence Gathering Steve Drieiak Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance Maureen Orr, ATSDR Wanda Lizak Welles, PhD, and Rebecca Wilburn, NY State Dept. of Health Shelter in Place/Evacuations Research Results and Case Studies Dr. Jay Baker, Florida State University John Sorenson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory U.S. DOT/Research and Special Programs Administration Anthony Murray. DOT PEPCO Pipeline Case Study Alan Williams Maryland Department of the Environment Regulatory Compliance EPA National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program CDC Recurring Causes of Recent Chemical Accidents James Belke US EPA Dark Winter Bloterrorism Exercise Dr. Tara O'Toole Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies The Regional Response Team-What Do They Do EPA Region III and Coast Guard Oil Pollution Prevention-A Safer Merchant Fleet panel discussion OPA 90-Criminal Liability in the New Millenium panel discussion WMD Incident Response Planning: Tactical Considerations for Municipalities Bob Broyles Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Planning Effective Community Outreach Karen Carnahan Huntsman Corporation Community Recovery Ed Doyle, Del. Co. PA LEPC Donald Zoladkiewicz, Sunoco Scary, West Virginia Train Crash John Smoot Kanawha County West Virginia EMS Teays Valley Fire Department The Other EPCRA-TRI Monty Elder State of Oklahoma Responding to Pharmaceutical Incidents Kevin Barry HMHTTC Response Incorporated Radiological Incidents Bill Belanger EPA Region III Responding to Rail Incidents Tim Mannus Norfolk Southern Corporation Chlorine Incidents and Case Studies Chlorine Institute Chemical Process Safety Case Studies Bill McHale, EPA Region III Jane Kelley, Nova Chemicals Kevin Corcoran, Sartomer Getting' Paid panel discussion National Response Team Moderator: John Gustafson, US EPA Handling Off-Site Spills Bob Rosen BASF Responding to Maritime Spills Ed Lewis Chesapeake Diving Services, Ltd. Handling Mass Fatalities Christie Whitaker Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team Regulatory Compliance for Federal Facilities EPA Effective LEPCs panel discussion Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- Conference Registration The conference registration fee is $150 and includes the opening reception, admissioni the exhibit hall, all workshops and training sessions, and the closing luncheon. Registration/Payment Methods Mail this form Register electronically Fax this form With credit card information to (410) 676-8545, Attn: Katrina Harris. With check to: 2001 Conference, General Physics Corporation, 500 Edgewood Road, Suite I 10, Edgewood, MD 21040. Make checks payable to 2001 Conference. with credit card information through our Web Site at www.2001 conference.org. **Fee will be charged to your credit card approximately ten days prior to the conference. Taxpayer Identification Number: 526000769. Last Name: Name for Name Tag (if different): Country (if outside USA): First Name: Title: Company/Agency: Street Address:— City, State, Zip: Phone: Fax: Check enclosed (made payable to: 2001 Conference) Card No. e-mail address: MasterCard Visa American Express Exp. Date Cardholder Name Signature Date. Registration for Hands-on Computer Training Sessions Hands-on training sessions will be offered on a new release of CAMEO* at no additional cost. We are keeping class sizes small to ensure an optimum training experience and may limit each attendee to three classes. Please indicate up to five choices by entering the numbers I through 5 in the boxes below (with I being your first choice). We will notify you of your training schedule before the conference begins. ~ Introduction to ALOHA" ~ ALOHA® in Depth OTier 2 Submit ~ Getting Started with CAMEO" ~ CAMEO*J in Depth ~ Moving Your Data into New CAMEO"' ~ Introduction to MARPLOT^ ~ MARPLOT® in Depth Registration for DuPont "Street Smart Chemistry"Training Program Please indicate your interest below. We will confirm your registration for this program prior to the conference. Please note that this training program will start Sunday, December 9. ~ Please register me for the 2-1 /2 day Street Smart Chemistry program. Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received by October 15 will receive a full refund. Cancellations received between October 16 and November 30 will be assessed a $50 fee. After November 30th, no refunds will be made. Substitutions are permitted. All refunds will be processed after December 15. ------- TRAINING AND RESOURCES COOPERATIVE TRAINING EFFORT EPA Region III has been working with local, state, other federal agen- cies and CSX Transportation to improve the capabilities of respond- ed near Cumberland, Maryland. Cumberland is a major terminal for UN/Flffi ere"? Scott Gorton, CSX, explains to attendees CSX's role in responding to incidents CSX and is in close proximity to the borders of West Virginia and Penn- sylvania. In addition to training provided by EPA, FEMA Region III conducted training on the Inci- dent Command System and Unified Command. CSX brought a tabletop exercise to Cumberland to demon- strate the coordinated effort needed to respond to a railway incident. The "Operations" section receives a brief- ing on the situation status prior to the initia- tion of the exercise. (Note: CSX will be bringing the same tabletop exercise to the EPA Confer- ence being held in Baltimore.) NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES New Web Site for Oil Spill Cleanup Check out a new Web Site at www.cleanupoil.com. Cleanupoil.com is a directory of oil spill cleanup contractors and response organizations, pollution cleanup contractors and closely related service companies. It includes 1,100 listings in 49 coun- tries worldwide and 700 links to web sites. The information is available free of charge without registration. They are very inter- ested in feedback on the site and encourage readers of this newslet- ter to provide input on the useful- ness of the site. The X-TRA Key Designed and manufactured by Cross & Studley, the X-TRA Key is a unique entry tool. Its design allows quick entry through outward opening doors, such as mobile homes. The tool has been used by fire and rescue units and law enforcement units to achieve expedited entry. For more infor- mation, see their Web Site at www.entry-tool.com or call 1-877- XTRAKEY. One-Stop Shopping The Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, part of the Defense Logistics Agency, has vendor con- tracts for all emergency service needs. In addition to supporting Department of Defense agencies, they are supporting states, coun- ties and municipalities who have received federal funds with fire, emergency service, safety, rescue, HAZMAT, safety, force protection and WMD response needs. For more information, contact Steve D'Agostine at 215-737-2745. Note: We believe information on new products and services is of value to our readers. However, such information does not reflect an endorsement, view, position or policy of the Agency. it and I supposed THc UPDATE MAILBOX Dear Missus Harris The Editor, The other day I finally got around to reading this news letter or periodical or whatever you and that Mister A1 Brown are presently calling got mad. Now I'm not to get mad cause my doctor told me it's not good for me. Anyhow I didn't get around to reading your last issue for a while cause I wasn't home cause I had went up to Baltimore to try and help those folks with their tunnel problem. Took me a while to get there cause it's not easy for me to catch rides cause I don't exactly have my girlish figure anymore. Anyhow I figured they could use the help cause everybody knows I am the oldest still working emergency manager and the real person they named the whole law about but by the time I got there Mister Scott Gorton of the CSX Train Company and those Baltimore firefighters pretty much had thinos covered. I mus£ say that Mister Gorton did give me a few dollars to get out of town and back on home which is more than a lot of others have done. But what really made me mad was when I read that you and A1 Brown had gone and won some award for this rag with no mention of my name anywhere. So if you want me to show up at your wingding in Baltimore you better make this right or at the very least give me a room next door to those Pittsburgh boys. Still waiting. Aunt SARA III Dear Aunt SARA III: First of all, Scott said he didn't actually give" you the money and he would appreciate it if you would at least return the wallet. Regarding the Pittsburgh boys...we're providing your e-mail address (auntsaralll@netscape.net) and they can contact you directly regarding room arrangements. Unfortunately, with budget cuts we're not sure we'll be able to help you get back to Baltimore. But as always, we'll listen to what those in the field have to say. Katrina and Al Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- SAFETY ALERTS SAFETY ALERTS Propane Cylinders/Anhydrous Ammonia The National Propane Gas Association has issued an alert regarding propane cylinders being used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamines, commonly referred to as "crank." Manu- facturers of this drug are using propane cylinders for the storage and use of anhydrous ammonia. These cylinders have been found in many states at cylinder exchange and refilling locations as well as in hotel rooms and mobile labs, where the manufacturing of this illegal substance takes place. The brass valve in a propane cylin- der will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammo- nia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected explusion of the valve from the cyl- inder, causing personal injury or death. For a full copy of the safety alert, visit the Association's Web Site at www.npga.org. Note: A workshop on clandestine metham- phetamines labs for law enforcement will be offered during the EPA conference in Baltimore in December. Ammonia Releases at Ammonia Refrigeration Facilities EPA has issued an updated chemical safety alert for personnel who operate and maintain refriger- ation systems, managers of facili- ties, and emergency responders. The alert discusses potential haz- ards and the steps that can be taken to minimize risks. The alert also summarizes the findings from evaluations performed by the Chemical Accident Prevention Group of EPA Region III. Region III has conducted more than 135 chemical safety audits and 32 risk management program audits from 1995 to the present of large and small facilities using ammonia for refrigeration. The alert can be found at www.epa.gov/ceppo. Chemical Accidents from Electric Power Outages Incident data from the National Response Center shows that during 2000 there were about 240 chemical releases reported due to an electric power interruption; only a few were related to planned rolling blackouts. A number of releases were associated with power resumption and restart of operations. A new publication on the EPA Chemical Emergency Pre- paredness and Prevention Office Web Site (www.epa.gov/ceppo) provides several examples, les- sons learned and steps you can take to identify a potential hazard and reduce the impacts. NICS COLLECTING SHELTER-IN-PLACE DATA The National Institute for Chemical Studies (NICS) has begun an online, interactive data- base to collect information about shelter-in-place incidents in the United States. "Our long-term goal is to col- lect data and then make it avail- able online. Users will be able to download the database file and manipulate the data to fit their needs," said Mark Scott, NICS President and CEO. NICS intends for the data base to give emer- gency planners and responders information on the effectiveness of sheltering in place during actual chemical emergencies. The infor- mation will reside in a data base that users can download from the NICS Web Site. According to Scott, the data base will differentiate itself from other information sources by focusing specifically on the shel- ter-in-place aspects and not just data about the chemical emer- gency. As NICS learns of an incident, they will contact the Local Emer- gency Planning Committee and request the Committee complete a form. After receiving the form, NICS will follow-up with phone calls to obtain additional details. NICS is also requesting the emergency planning and response community to help build the database. The NICS Web Site contains a form officials can use after an incident to report shelter- in-place data. If you have an inci- dent where shelter-in-place protec- tive measures are implemented, please visit the NICS Web Site at www.nicsinfo.org. Click on "Shel- ter In Place Data Collection." For more information, contact NICS at (304) 346-6264. Protection Prepare^ J EPA Region III participated in several out- reach events during the past few months. Here At Brown and friend staffed EPA s exhibit at Firehouse Expo. Editor's Note: Al is on the right. 10 Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update ------- SERCs and LEPCs: Are They Really Effective? tVe continue our series on the effectiveness of LEPCs and SERC with an example of a successful LEPC. HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT? By Steve Grainer, Local Emergency Coordinator, Goochland County and James E. (Butch) Newsome, Chair, Goochland LEPC As the story goes, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. That's the basic premise on which Goochland County's LEPC confronted the challenge of becom- ing more involved in community emergency planning and prepared- ness. In 1998, the county's first hired Director of Fire & Rescue Services, Steve Grainer, assumed the duties of Locai Emergency Coordinator, including responsibility for facilitat- ing the LEPC. Rather than attack- ing every issue or concern simul- taneously, Grainer suggested that Goochland's LEPC begin by estab- lishing some emergency planning priorities. The first challenge of digesting that big elephant was to identify the parts most edible and appetizing to the individuals expected to do the eating. Like most organizations, Goochland's LEPC is composed of individuals with diverse interests, concerns and skills. To invigorate this organization, it was important to identify and keep a finger on the interests and motives that activate the members - both individually and collectively. Then, Grainer began to seek others in the community who shared concerns about improving community emergency prepared- ness. Early in this process, James (Butch) Newsome from the Virginia Correctional Center for Women (VCCW) became an active player in promoting greater awareness and preparedness. "As the Safety Specialist at work, I have the responsibility of doing the SARA Title III Report each year," says Newsome. "I sent copies of the reports to the County Adminis- tration as required, but I didn't know if anyone ever looked at them." After the first few meetings, New- some realized that, while his reports were reviewed and filed, the infor- mation was not being effectively cir- culated to organizations such as the fire and rescue companies that might respond to his facility. He undertook the challenge of simpli- fying SARA submittals and making them digestible and useful for emer- gency responders. Through this effort, the LEPC began to successfully demonstrate it could be a valuable and produc- tive contributor in the county emer- gency planning and preparedness efforts. As the LEPC continued to seek a clearer direction, the group took its second major step by agreeing to become a semi-inde- pendent body and elected New- some as their first chair. Along the way, the Goochland LEPC has established several guidelines for conducting its busi- ness that may be beneficial to other LEPCs: 1. Give members and prospective members a reason to attend the meeting. This can be simpler than it sounds. Each Goochland LEPC meeting is now preceded by a 30-minute informal opening period including some type of snack. This social opportunity frequently provides a natural segue into the dialog of the meet- ing that follows. 2. Eat what's on your plate. Focus on the issues and concerns spe- cific to your community. In Goochland, this focus is on plan- ning for emergencies at facilities or locations that might occur in day-to-day commerce in the county and attract the greatest public concern. 3. Follow the K.I.S.S. (Keep it Short and Slick) Principle. Expe- rience has taught us that our greatest participation and pro- ductivity takes place in the first hour and a half of any meeting. The LEPC also maximizes effi- ciency by using small work com- mittees and enlisting the aid of nonmembers for specific tasks. 4. If you're waiting on funding, you're backing up. Although some LEPCs have been able to enlist funding and other support from private resources, Gooch- land has not had that good for- tune. The LEPC prepares an annual work plan in conjunction with the county Department of Fire & Rescue that includes ele- ments that comply with HMEP grant program criteria. 5. Maintain a balanced diet. Goochland's LEPC strives to bal- ance the challenges of planning for hazmat emergencies with all other types of emergencies that can confront the county. The LEPC seeks to integrate its plan- ning efforts for chemical emer- gencies with similar needs for broader emergency prepared- ness. This strategy has helped identify areas for improvement in other functional annexes of the county emergency operations plan. Contact Steve Grainer at (804) 556-5304 or email: sgrainer@goochtand.va.us for more information. We continue to welcome your input about your LEPC or SERC. Send your stories and opinions to Katrina Harris by e-mail (kharris@genphysics.com) or by fax to 410-676-8545. Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Update 11 ------- Sign Up For Our Mailing List Chemical Emergency Pre- paredness and Prevention Update will be published periodically on an irregular basis by the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention folks at EPA Region III under the direction of Al Brown. Our goal is to provide interest- ing, informative, and often timely information to hazardous materials emergency planners, responders and stakeholders. If you have a story you would like to tell, a point you would like to make, or want to join the mailing list, fill out this form and mail it to: Katrina Harris General Physics Corporation 500 Edgewood Road, Suite 110 Edgewood, MD 21040 Fax to: 410-676-8545 Email to: kharris@genphvsics.com NAME COMPANY/AGENCY POD OTHER FEDERAL STATE GOVERNMENT/EMA JNDUSTRY MEDICAI LOCAL GOVERNMENT FIRST RESPONSE/LEPC OTHER: PHONE FAX EMAIL ADDRESS. CITY STATE ZIP. COMMENTS. HAVE A STORY IDEA? HAVE A GOOD IDEA? HAVE NO IDEA? jeqij jeuinsuoD-isod ajoui jo %09 lium jaded eiqe/oAooj/peioAoaj ^ 00S JdQUJQlddQ ^ %0OL uo s>iU! peseq-9/qeid6eA jo paseq-Aos yyM pa)uud ^ EL-6 Jaquiaoag "ajoiumeg u| sn Ujor pajsanbajj aoiAjas ujnjay 6L on nuuad AN 'BO!»n p|Bd aBeisod s n ais lusud 6Z0Z-Z016L Vd 'eiqdiapeimd (eCSHE) ta&lS WV 0991 HI uofBetj Vd3 S'/l ------- |