GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER June 1, 2005 Volume V, Edition 06 Arizona Emergency Response Commission 5636 East McDowell Road Phoenix, Arizona 85008-3495 Janet Napolitano, Governor http://www.governor.state.az.us/ Frank F. Navarrete, Director http://www.dem.state.az.us/ Daniel Roe, Executive Director http://www.dem.state.az.us/azserc/ Special Interest Articles: Probing! • Probing Report Suspicious Inquiries or Activities! • Meet Chrissy • Chlorine Outreach • Arizona Resource Exchange • EPA Enforcement • OSHA's Agenda • Alert / Notifications to Individuals with Disabilities • Center for Risk Communication and Public Involvement • Rural Fire Assistance The departments and agencies comprising the Emergency Services Sector continue to experience suspicious activities at increasing frequency. Impostors carrying falsified credentials have appeared throughout the United States attempting to gain entry into emergency facilities to access their sensitive information. In all cases the impersonators quickly flee when denied access. Recently, an emergency medical services (EMS) organization contacted local law enforcement to report suspicious electronic mail. The e-mail requested that the rescue squad host the message sender for an internship to study and learn about American response and rescue • Shorts • Upcoming Deadlines • Upcoming Events Individual Highlights: Community Corner 2 Industry Corner 3 Technical Corner 3 Tribal Corner 4 EPA Corner 4 OSHA Corner 5 LEPC Corner 8 operations. Using the information provided in the e-mail, the FBI found that the individual matching that name, age, and place of origin had been refused entrance into the country, and is unwelcome based on his suspected affiliations. Therefore, emergency organizations should be alert for and cautious about similar inquiries or activities. Those intending to harm our nation and its people will try very creative ways to exploit existing vulnerabilities for their terrorist plans and actions. Report suspicious inquiries or activities in Arizona to the AZ Counter-Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) at 1-877-272-8329, 602-6445805, or 602-223-2680. Further, you can report information regarding suspicious chemical spills, suspected terrorist events to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Additionally, report suspicious inquiries or activities to the National Infrastructure Coordination Center (NICC) in addition to local law enforcement. The NICC can be contacted by voice at 202-282-9201, email at nicc@dhs.gov, or by facsimile at 703-487-3570. We’re looking at the multiple avenues for reporting! GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 2 of 14 Say Hi to Chrissy Chrissy is an energetic young lady who has recently been employed by the Arizona Emergency Response Commission. Like many of you out there, Chrissy is finding herself inundated with requirements…not only directly related to the job…but requirements to ensure that she’s knowledgeable about changing world events, to include Homeland Security issues. Because Chrissy wants to be informed, she, like many of you, is taking courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency… and she’s progressing quite nicely…We want to share that with you! The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) serves as the national focal point for the development and delivery of emergency management training. This training enhances the capabilities of the Federal, state and local government, volunteer organizations and the private sector to minimize the impact of disasters on the American public. The Independent Study Program (ISP) is a distance learning program offered free of charge to the American public. It serves as both an alternate means to deliver valuable training to the professional and volunteer emergency management community and an opportunity to improve public awareness and promote disaster preparedness nationally. If you’ve have not seen what there is to offer…do the following; Visit EMI website at: www.training.fema.gov/EMIWe b/IS/ where you can learn about each course, download materials, and submit your final exam all from the convenience of your home or office. Once logged into the web site click on “Our Courses’ on the left-hand side of the page. Choose a course and click on it. Below the course descriptions, there will be options. One option is to download course materials in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can print, save to disc, or read from the screen. The test questions for the course are part of the downloadable materials. The other option is the Interactive Web-based Course. This option will direct you to the Virtual Campus where you will enroll in one of the interactive course. Once enrolled, you will be able to go through the course lesson by lesson, access useful tools and other informative websites. The test questions will be at the end of the last lesson. Independent Study course are structured to meet your needs. A couple of advantages to Independent Study are: • You can take the courses at your convenience First-On-Scene Operations (FPSP) 16-Hour Training Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Indian Bend Substation 9840 East Indian Bend Road (Indian Bend & 101) Scottsdale, Arizona July 27-28, 2005 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact: George.Little@itcaonline.com 602-307-1549 • You can work as a group or individually. It is up to you. If you are new to Emergency Management, we suggest you take IS-1, Emergency Manager: An Orientation to the Position. All state, county and local government personnel are required to take IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS). IS-800 National Response Plan (NRP) is a requirement for some. Stay tuned for more to come and as a bonus—here’s a question and answer from IS-800: The NRP is based on the premise that: A. Incidents are typically managed at the lowest possible geographic, organizational, and jurisdictional level. B. Federal-to-Federal support will not be required unless an incident is covered under a Stafford Act declaration. C. Governmental agencies are in the best position to respond to incidents and should not encourage citizen involvement. D. Supplemental operations and hazardspecific contingency plans are not necessary. GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 14 Chlorine Outreach (Part 2) Release Modeling The Chlorine Institute Inc. Pamphlet 74 provides examples of release modeling scenarios that a facility may find useful. Scenarios are based in part on typical chlorine industry containers, other equipment and their configurations. Graphic presentations (footprints) obtained from results using the Safer System, Inc. Trace Version 8 software estimates downwind distances for specific chlorine concentrations. Other outputs that are obtained from this model include: releases is quite complex. The chemical released, the size of the release, the wind velocity, the surface roughness near the release, and a host of other components affect chemical dispersion. All models must make assumptions. Modeling dispersion attempts, because of technological limitations, will be only an approximation. The accuracy of the model is determined by assumptions within the model and those made by the user. Plume Dispersion modeling still provides the best working estimate of the potential impact of a chemical • Graphs showing centerline release. Such modeling contributes concentrations as a function of to the continuous improvement distance process for chemical operations. Dispersion modeling can help • Concentrations as a function of establish priorities for detailed time at 25%, 50%, 75%, and analysis and evaluation of mitigation 100% of the maximum distance opportunities. Additionally, it is that a 3ppm cloud travels through the understanding of the • The time for the release to stop, or at least slow to less than 1% of potential impact of an incident that appropriate emergency response its initial discharge rate, plans and procedures are developed recognize that evaporation to minimize the impact on the cooling (auto-refrigeration) will community and the environment reduce the release case in many should a chemical release occur. instances • Where applicable, the time for the For modeling purposes, chlorine pool mass to evaporate releases can be classified into two categories-instantaneous and Limitations of Modeling continuous. Accurately modeling chemical An instantaneous release is characterized by the release of chlorine to the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time (usually less than 5-10 minutes), resulting in a cloud which moves across the downwind range while growing in size and decreasing in concentration. Thus, the concentration of chlorine monitored at any given point downwind will vary over time depending on the position of the chlorine cloud. The rupture of a chlorine container is an example of an instantaneous release. A continuous release is characterized by the release of chlorine to the atmosphere over a longer period to time (usually more than 5-10 minutes), resulting in a continuous plume which reaches an equilibrium size and concentration gradient. Thus, the concentration of chlorine monitored at any given point downwind from the source will be constant over time for the duration of the release. The failure of the valve or fitting on a large container is an example of a continuous release.” Reproduction of technical information presented is from the Chlorine Institute, Inc., Pamphlet 74 Washington, D.C Environmental Professionals of Arizona Announce Board of Directors: 2005-2007 Board of Directors President – Eddie Martinez Vice President – Julie Hoskin Secretary – Laura Malone Treasurer – Mannie Carpenter Chairperson of the Board – Lisa Culbert *Rules & Certification Committee – Open *Products & Technology Committee –Open *Web Page Committee – Open Committee Chairs *Regulations Committee – Mike Ford *Membership Committee – David Kirchner *Program/Sponsorship and Scholarship Committee – Open EPAZ has several job openings and resumes of those looking for work listed on the website. It’s always changing so check it out every few weeks. www.epaz.org Check Out the Job Bank Meeting Sponsorship All you have to do is send in a logo and show up at a meeting with a few raffle prizes. Which meeting do you want to sponsor? The prizes will be raffled off in conjunction with the 50/50 raffle where proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. Thanks to Lisa Culbert for sharing GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 4 of 14 Arizona Resource Exchange- Another Win-Win The “Arizona Environmental Strategic Alliance and Earth 911” have developed a web-based material exchange system called Arizona Resource Exchange (AZReX). AZReX is a win-win system -users win because they will have a market to locate, sell or donate reusable materials, while the environment wins because less material goes to landfills. Visit www.azrex.org and try it out! Help get the ball rolling by posting your reusable waste materials, and searching for materials you may need. AReX is being made possible by Waste Reduction Assistance funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's Recycling Program and developed by Earth 911. Thanks to Jim Thrush for sharing Tribal Training Available: “Visit www.azserc.org to see Tribal Reporting Opportunities… “ San Carlos will be hosting the Site Incident Commander (SIC) 24Hour training at Apache Gold Convention Center on July 27-29, 2005 from 0800-1700 hrs. This training will include some of the NIMS (National Incident Management System) requirements. For more information, participants can contact George Little of the InterTribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA). ITCA is sponsoring the training. George can be reached at george.little@itcaonline.com and will be able to furnish additional details. Depending on class size, there may be space available in the course for Local Emergency Planning Committee members from adjoining jurisdictions, e.g. Gila, Graham, and Pinal Counties. Last month, Anne Wilson (anne.wilson@dhs.gov) from Region IX, FEMA/DHS provided information regarding three training sessions on NIMS/ICS (Incident Command System) (one in Denver, one in Seattle, and one in Albuquerque) being offered by FEMA and IHS. As provided in last month's "Gatekeeper" newsletter, the Denver event had been postponed, and they now have a new date: August 30 Sept. 1, 2005. The Seattle date is still July 12-15, and the Albuquerque date is still Sept. 1316. For those who are new to Anne's contact list, FEMA in conjunction with IHS is offering three 3-day training sessions for tribes on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS, which is a component of NIMS). As per President Bush's directive, all states, tribes, counties, cities, etc. will be required to adopt NIMS by the end of fiscal year 2006 in order to receive future federal preparedness funding. One of the adoption requirements is to take the FEMA course called IS-700, "Introduction to NIMS." It's available for free online, but it's also available as a classroom course for those who can't or don't want to use the Internet to take the course. These three training sessions will not only offer IS-700 as a classroom course but will also offer the first two introductory ICS classes (ICS 100 and ICS 200). Since tribal travel costs will be reimbursed, this is a great way to get one NIMS requirement taken care of! The courses will also likely cover topics not specifically related to NIMS such as the disaster declaration process and mitigation planning. Please see the following website for more information or to register for the training: http://www.ackco.com/nimsics/ For more information about NIMS, see the NIMS website at www.fema.gov/nims. Also feel free to contact me at any time with such questions. Anne’s phone number is: 510627-7044 (As always, thanks to Imogene Casey jeanie_kaseh@yahoo.com for sharing.) Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Removed from Form R (EPCRA Section 313) Reporting: As a result of a court mandate, EPA is issuing a final rule removing MEK from the TRI list of toxic chemicals. The final rule states that EPA is relieving facilities of their obligation to report releases of and other waste management information on MEK that occurred during the 2004 reporting year and for activities in the future. Therefore, no reports are required to be filed for the 2004 reporting year due July 1, 2005. More information may be found at http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/me k/index.htm KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS DOES NOT EFFECT REPORTING MEK ON A TIER TWO HAZARDOUS INVENTORY REPORT IF THRESHOLDS ARE REACHED. GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 5 of 14 2004 Year in Review: Emergency Management Prevention, Preparedness and Response EPA's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) issued its first annual report detailing emergency management activities in EPA Headquarters and Regional Offices. Together with Regional offices and many partners in federal, State and local governments and the private sector, EPA is making significant progress in preventing accidents, preparing for those events that they cannot yet prevent and responding to environmental emergencies, both accidental and those caused by terrorism. This report highlights accomplishments during 2004 and is available on the OEM website at http://www.epa.gov/oem Thanks to Dana Robinson, USEPA robinson.dana@epa.gov EPA Enforcement Enhances Emergency Response Capabilities: Kinder Morgan recently agreed to pay a $26,300 penalty as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to resolve alleged federal Clean Water Act violations discovered at the company’s Sparks, Nevada facility last July. The company has also agreed to purchase emergency response equipment for the town of Truckee, Calif. The equipment will allow Truckee to respond quickly to any spills of potentially hazardous chemicals that may occur on the area's highways, rivers and streams. With the city located near three major transportation lines, Kinder Morgan pipeline, a Union Pacific railway and Interstate 80, it needs to be prepared in the event of a spill of oil or hazardous substances. "Through this settlement, Truckee's capability to respond to emergencies will be greatly enhanced," said Keith Takata, director of the EPA’s superfund program for the Pacific Southwest Region. "In addition, Kinder Morgan now understands the importance of properly exercising the required oil spill response drills and procedures." The EPA cited the company for failing to conduct at least 10 emergency notification drills required quarterly over the past five years. Kinder Morgan also failed to conduct two annual oil spill response drills requiring the use of emergency equipment. The facility, which is located about one mile from the Truckee River, has a storage capacity of more than one million gallons of oil. Kinder Morgan is the largest transporter of gasoline and petroleum products in the nation. The EPA also emphasizes the importance of spill response training, noting that over the past two years several oil spills have occurred at Kinder Morgan’s facilities in Arizona and California. Last November, a pipeline near Baker, Calif. was shutdown after the discovery of a gasoline leak. Last April, more than 100,000 gallons of oil spilled into a marsh near Suisun, Calif. from a ruptured pipeline. In 2003, roughly 32,000 gallons of oil was released near Tucson, Ariz. from a corroded pipeline. Kinder Morgan and its subsidiaries operate more than 25,000 miles of oil pipelines nationwide. The company transports more than two million barrels of gasoline and petroleum products per day. From an EPA Press Release: Contact Dean Higuchi, 808-5412711; Press Office Main Line: (415) 947-8700 Employer Emergency Action Plans Take a look at: "Principal Emergency Response and Preparedness: Requirements and Guidance." Published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA 3122-06R. 2004. Located at: http://www.osha.gov/Publication s/osha3122.pdf "Several Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards explicitly require employers to have emergency action plans for their workplaces. Emergency preparedness is a well-known concept in protecting workers' safety and health. To help employers, safety and health professionals, training directors, and others, the OSHA requirements for emergencies are compiled and summarized in this booklet. This publication provides a generic, non-exhaustive overview of OSHA standards for emergencies." … to protect human health and the environment GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 6 of 14 HAZWOPER Chain of Command [OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120(b)(2)] A written safety and health program is required to be developed and implemented by employers if their employees are involved in hazardous waste operations that are conducted within the scope of OSHA's HAZWOPER standard. According to _29 CFR 1910.120(b)(2)_ http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshawe b/owadisp.show_document?p_ta ble=STANDARDS&p_id=9765 the organizational structure part of the site safety and health program must establish the specific chain of command and specify the overall responsibilities of supervisors and employees. The organizational structure must include, at a minimum, the following elements: • A general supervisor who has the responsibility and authority to direct all hazardous waste operations • A site safety and health supervisor who has the responsibility and authority to develop and implement the site safety and health plan and verify compliance • All other personnel needed for hazardous waste site operations and emergency response and their general functions and responsibilities • The lines of authority, responsibility, and communication According to _29 CFR 1910.120(b)(2)(ii)_ http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaw eb/owadisp.show_document?p _table=STANDARDS&p_id= 9765 , the organizational structure must be reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect the current status of waste site operations. Thanks to: Environmental Resource Center. Visit http://www.ercweb.com/train/i ndex.htm#HW24 , or call 919469-1585. Questions or comments on today are Reg? Need more information? Post your questions or comments on Environmental Resource Center's Reg of the Day discussion forum at http://www.ercweb.com/forum /toast.asp What’s on OSHA’s Agenda? OSHA recently published its regulatory agenda in the Federal Register. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/o wadisp.show_document?p_table=F EDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=1835 1 being used to reduce employee exposures to be. OSHA is using this information to develop a proposed rule addressing occupational exposure to be. Emergency Response and Preparedness: Emergency responder health and safety is currently regulated primarily under the following standards: the fire Ionizing Radiation: brigade standard (29 CFR OSHA is considering amending 1910.156); hazardous waste The following is an overview of 29 CFR 1910.1096 that addresses operations and emergency some of the pending regulations: exposure to ionizing radiation. response (29 CFR 1910.120); The Department of Energy and the respiratory protection the Nuclear Regulatory Occupational exposure to standard (29 CFR 1910.134); Commission both have more Beryllium: the permit-required confined OSHA published a Request for extensive radiation standards that space standard (29 CFR Information (67 FR 70707) to reflect new technological and 1910.146); and the blood borne solicit information pertinent to safety advances. In addition, pathogens standard (29 CFR occupational exposure to be radiation is now used for a 1910.1030). Some of these including: current exposures to broader variety of purposes, standards were promulgated Be; the relationship between including health care, food decades ago and none were exposure to be and the safety, mail processing, and designed as comprehensive development of adverse health baggage screening. OSHA is in emergency response standards. effects; exposure assessment and the process of reviewing Consequently, they do not monitoring methods; exposure information about the issue, and address the full range of control methods; and medical will determine the appropriate hazards or concerns currently surveillance. In addition, the course of action regarding this facing emergency responders. Agency conducted field surveys of standard when the review is selected work sites to assess current completed. Continued on Page 7… exposures and control methods GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 7 of 14 What’s on OSHA’s Agenda? (Continued from Page 6) Many do not reflect major changes in performance specifications for protective clothing and equipment. Current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the major developments in safety and health practices that have already been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American National Standards Institute consensus standards. Standards Improvement: OSHA is continuing its efforts to remove or revise duplicative, unnecessary, and inconsistent safety and health standards. The Agency believes that such changes can reduce compliance costs and reduce the paperwork burden associated with a number of its standards. The Agency will only consider such changes if they do not diminish employee protections. To initiate the project, OSHA will be publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit input from the public on rules that may be addressed in Phase III of SIPS. The Agency plans to include both safety and health topics in Phase III. Hazard Communication: All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces are required to have a hazard communication program, including labels on containers, material safety data sheets, and training for employees. Within the US, there are other Federal agencies that also have requirements for classification and labeling of chemicals at different stages of the life cycle. Internationally, there are a number of countries that have developed similar laws that require information about chemicals to be prepared and transmitted to affected parties. These laws vary with regard to the scope of substances covered, definitions of hazards, the specificity of requirements (e.g., specification of a format for MSDSs), and the use of symbols and pictograms. The inconsistencies between the various laws are substantial enough that different labels and safety data sheets must often be used for the same product when it is marketed in different nations. The diverse and sometimes conflicting national and international requirements can create confusion among those who seek to use hazard information. As a result of this situation, and in recognition of the extensive international trade in chemicals, there has been a longstanding effort to harmonize these requirements and develop a system that can be used around the world. In 2003, the United Nations adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Countries are now considering adoption of the GHS into their national regulatory systems. There is an international goal to have as many countries as possible implement the GHS by 2008. OSHA is considering modifying its HCS to make it consistent with the GHS. This would involve changing the criteria for classifying health and physical hazards, adopting standardized labeling requirements, and requiring a standardized order of information for safety data sheets. causes acute or accelerated forms of silicosis that are ultimately fatal. The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for general industry is based on a formula recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in 1971 (PEL=10mg/cubic meter/(% silica + 2), as respirable dust). The current PEL for construction and maritime (derived from ACGIH's 1962 Threshold Limit Value) is based on particle counting technology, which is considered obsolete. NIOSH and ACGIH recommend a 50ug/m3 exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has published a recommended standard for addressing the hazards of crystalline silica. The Building Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has also developed a recommended comprehensive program standard. These standards include provisions for methods of compliance, exposure monitoring, training, and medical surveillance. Respiratory Protection: In January 1998, OSHA published the final Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), except for reserved provisions on assigned protection factors (APFs) and maximum use concentrations (MUCs). APFs are numbers that describe the effectiveness of the various classes of respirators in reducing employee exposure to airborne contaminants (including particulates, gases, vapors, bi Regulatory Flexibility Act and biological agents, etc.). Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica: Chronic silicosis is a uniquely occupational disease resulting from exposure of employees over long periods of time (10 years or Continued on next page 8... more). Exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline silica GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 8 of 14 What is OSHA’s Agenda – (Continued From Page 7) Employers, employees, and safety and health professionals use APFs to determine the type of respirator to protect the health of employees in various hazardous environments. Maximum use concentrations establish the maximum airborne concentration of a contaminant in which a respirator with a given APF may be used. Currently, OSHA relies on the APFs developed by NIOSH in the 1980s unless OSHA has assigned a different APF in a substancespecific health standard. However, many employers follow the more recent APFs published in an industry consensus standard, ANSI Z88.2-1992. This rulemaking action will complete the 1998 standard, reduce compliance confusion among employers, and provide employees with consistent and appropriate respiratory protection. Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium: In July 1993, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was petitioned for an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for occupational exposures to hexavalent chromium (CrVI). OSHA began collecting data and performing preliminary analyses relevant to occupational exposure to CrVI. However, in 1997, OSHA was sued for unreasonable delay in issuing a final CrVI standard. The 3rd Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in OSHA's favor and the Agency continued its data collection and analytic efforts on CrVI. In 2002, OSHA was sued again for continued unreasonable delay in issuing a final CrVI standard. In August, 2002 OSHA published a Request for Information on CrVI to solicit additional information on key issues related to controlling exposures to CrVI and on December 4, 2002, OSHA announced its intent to proceed with developing a proposed standard. On December 24, 2002, the 3rd Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals ordered OSHA to proceed expeditiously with a CrVI standard. OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on CrVI on October 4, 2004. Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment: Generally, OSHA standards require that protective equipment (including personal protective equipment (PPE)) be provided and used when necessary to protect employees from hazards that can cause them injury, illness, or physical harm. In 1999, OSHA proposed to require employers to pay for PPE, with a few exceptions. The Agency continues to consider how to address this issue, and reopened the record on 7/8/2004 to get input on issues related to PPE considered to be a "tool of the trade." Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards: Under section 6(a) of the OSH Act, during the first two years of the Act, the Agency was directed to adopt national consensus standards as OSHA standards. Some of these standards were adopted as regulatory text, while others were incorporated by reference. In the more than thirty years since these standards were adopted by OSHA, the organizations responsible for these consensus standards have issued updated versions of these standards. However, in most cases, OSHA has not revised its regulations to reflect later editions of the consensus standards. OSHA standards also continue to incorporate by reference various consensus standards that are now outdated and, in some cases, out of print. The Agency is undertaking a multi-year project to update these standards. A notice describing the project was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2004 (69 FR 68283), along with a direct final rule and notice of proposed rulemaking on the first set of standards to be addressed. The direct final rule has been withdrawn since a significant adverse comment was received, and a final rule based on the NPRM is being prepared. The next set of standards will be published as well. Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Oxide: OSHA has undertaken a review of the ethylene oxide (ETO) standard in accordance with the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of EO 12866. The review is considering the continued need for the rule, the impacts of the rule, comments on the rule received from the public, the complexity of the rule, whether the rule overlaps, duplicates or conflicts with other Federal, State or local regulations, and the degree to which technology, economic conditions or other factors may have changed since the rule was last evaluated. The Agency's findings with respect to this review will be published in a report available to the public in 2005. Thanks to Matt Conway and Chuck Paulausky, CHMM www.thunderbirdchmm.org GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 9 of 14 Disability Preparedness Center: The Disability Preparedness Center recently completed a survey of emergency preparedness of people with disabilities. The study found that disability-oriented organizations and emergency planners and responders approach the problem differently. Disability organizations tend to favor approaches unique to different disability needs, while emergency planning and response organizations tend to favor adapting existing approaches to make these more inclusive and accessible. coordinated approach that includes persons with disabilities; and (3) need for more information on what to plan for and how to do it. People with disabilities have a lot to offer, not just in planning for themselves, but in helping to plan for others as well. One participant explained, "persons with disabilities are not only sometimes more vulnerable, but also sometimes have important strengths they can contribute, like experience overcoming strange obstacles and dealing with their [different types of] disability." The Disability Preparedness Center When asked how to move emergency planning forward in our was chosen by the National Capital Region (NCR) Council of region, participants offered the Governments and funded through following top three priority areas: (1) need for better public awareness the U.S. Department of Homeland and communication; (2) need for a Security Urban Areas Security Initiative to incorporate individuals with disabilities and other special need groups in the region's emergency planning efforts. Major activities under this grant include a needs assessment, the establishment of an NCR Disability Advisory Committee, skills development training for first responders, community demonstration projects and emergency simulations, a public information campaign, and a NCR conference on disability preparedness. For more information, go to www.disabilitypreparedness-ncr.net or contact Carl T. Cameron, Ph.D., President, Disabilities Preparedness Center at 202.338.7158 x201 (Thanks to EmergencyManagement@yahoogroups.com) Alert/Notifications to Individuals with Disabilities The following is from the National Organization on Disability "In case any of you were wondering whether it is cost effective to make your emergency management plans and alert/notifications accessible to individuals with disabilities OR for those of you who continue to deny the need to incorporate this issue in your planning, training, and exercise programs, I thought I would share with you the recent FCC-issued fines to media outlets based on their failure to provide captioning during an emergency. Those of us acting as PIOs or with media consultants should take heed of the lawsuits and fines that are bubbling up from the disabled population and Federal/State/Local agencies responsible for protecting their rights. Someday (maybe) there will be a way to interpret the disability-rights laws against an EMA, for their failure to provide accessible preparedness information or include people with disabilities in their plans. It’s coming. It’s like one of those 'pay me now or pay me later' type things. Just food for thought. ACC LICENSEE, INC., LICENSEE OF WJLA-TV. Proposed NALF in the amount of $8,000 against ACC Licensee, Inc., licensee of WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (Closed Captioning Rules). Action by: Acting Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 05/25/2005 by NALF. (DA No. 051511). EB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publ ic/attachmatch/DA-05-1511A1.doc NBC TELEMUNDO LICENSE CO, LICENSEE OF WRC-TV. Proposed NALF in the amount of $16,000 against NBC Telemundo License Co, licensee of WRC-TV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (Closed Captioning Rules). Action by: Acting Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 05/25/2005 by NALF. (DA No. 05-1512). EB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_pub lic/attachmatch/DA-051512A1.doc FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC., LICENSEE OF WTTG-TV. Proposed NALF in the amount of $16,000 against Fox Television Stations, Inc., licensee of WTTGTV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (Closed Captioning Rules). Action by:Acting Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 05/25/2005 by NALF. (DA No.051513). EB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_pub lic/attachmatch/DA-051513A1.doc With thanks to Hilary Styron, Acting Director, Emergency Preparedness Initiative, National Organization on Disability 910 Sixteenth Street, NW 6th Floor Washington, DC 20006; Direct: 202-955-6320; Fax: 202-293-7999 GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 10 of 14 New Center for Risk Communication and Public Involvement The Center provides training and consulting services primarily for EPA on strategies for working with the public to secure their cooperation on emergency response, planning and environmental clean up actions. Use of these strategies strengthens an organization. While this training is free, the Center must prioritize program delivery. Fire departments are generally respected. They have earned public trust. In contrast, the history is much shorter and more complex in the world of emergency management and environmental protection. Solutions in environmental and emergency management are often longer-term but still require the best of judgment and the public’s trust. Without that trust there can be intense public fear and resistance. This training assists in acknowledging and addressing problems of trust and misperceptions. All the wellintended dedication and expertise can be rejected if those problems are not managed and handled. You have read about what happens after trust is lost! Further, telling people they are wrong when their issue may be that you or your organization is not trustworthy, doesn’t help your organization’s cause. Taking the time to listen and understand encourages understanding and caring. From that understanding and caring, opinions regarding intentions and trustworthiness can be favorably impacted. The Center for Risk Communication and Public Involvement was established to assist EPA to meet those tough communications issues head-on. A facilitated workshop to allow managers and staff to examine these problems and to try out the skills for solving it, is, as the saying goes, PRICELESS! Managers and staff are both encouraged to attend since the skills and policies behind them may not be the standard operating practice an organization is used to. The way it “has always been done,” in fact, might be the root problem. Introductory seminars of several hours can also be provided and tailored to special audiences such as executives. Consultation can be provided for those needing advice on complex problems. Again, there is no fee for service but picking up travel expenses is expected. Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on instructor availability. Leading the new Center as Director is Captain Alvin Chun, who served as a U.S. Public Health Service commissioned officer. With over 30 years of experience at EPA, and at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Captain Chun has advised public and private organizations around the world. He has worked with agencies involved with the clean up after the attack at the World Trade Center in New York; Asbestos cleanup in Libby, Montana; Mad Cow Disease outbreak in Switzerland; SARS outbreak in China; lead smelter cleanup in Mexico; and emergency management in Australia and at the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. At the state level he has given numerous presentations and workshops for emergency responders across the country. Alvin has participated in Arizona’s “Gatekeeper” workshops, and has assisted state agencies in Arizona. Additionally, he has presented at the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) annual meeting and is on the HAZMAT EXPLO agenda to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 15-17, 2005. Captain Chun has ALWAYS received rave reviews! Some additional reactions to the courses that Chun and his colleagues have provided include: * “Best training I’ve ever had – bar none – Its interactive quality is really what makes it come alive!” * “Made me think about how to better do all the parts of my job.” * “Designed to change our perspective on risk, and it will have a long lasting effect.” * “Should be a requirement for all government employees.” (A common response from government staff.) *“I was just going to stay till the first break and then leave, but I decided to stay the full three days.” (Responses from a corporate executive and community activists.) So … what are you waiting for? You can call Captain Chun at (415) 972-3720 or email him at chun.alvin@epa.gov GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 11 of 14 "Are You Ready?" Preparedness Guide The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has, since November, distributed nearly 100,000 copies of the updated “Are You Ready?” indepth guide to citizen preparedness. Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response for Homeland Security, said "FEMA published and is distributing the free “Are You Ready?” guide, because we know that being prepared for disasters is everyone's responsibility. We're delighted that in just seven months, so many people have called to order this informative and comprehensive source of what to do when disaster strikes. We are prepared to print more when our original printing is depleted. Brown said the “Are You Ready?” guide walks the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their area, and instructs them on how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and build their own disaster supplies kit. The preparedness facts are based on the most reliable hazard awareness and emergency education information, such as the latest scientific knowledge and physical research on what happens in disasters. Facilitator Guides” for those interested in delivering FEMA's disaster preparedness content in a classroom or small group setting have also been ordered. The facilitator guide contains training modules for adults and older and younger children and contains a CD ROM tool-kit with customizable slides and hazard-specific fact sheets. College credit for the “Are You Ready?” course is being offered through Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD. FEMA's Publications Warehouse offers “Are You Ready?” in English only, while FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov , has the guide for downloading in both English and Spanish. Four preparedness booklets supplement the preparedness resource catalog. Topics include: 1) Preparing for Disaster; 2) Food and Water in an Emergency; 3) Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs; and 4) Helping Children Cope with Disaster. Organizations are urged to use the web site's instructions for printing large quantities of the guide, even customizing the covers with organization seals or logos. Nearly 3,000 “Are You Ready? “Are You Ready?” is just one of many resources Homeland Security provides American citizens to help them be prepared against all types of hazards. Homeland Security's Ready campaign seeks to help America be better prepared for even unlikely emergency scenarios. Information on how the public can be ready in case of a national emergency, including a possible terrorism attack involving biological, chemical or radiological weapons, can be found by logging on to www.ready.gov or by calling 800-BEREADY for printed information. For your free copy, link to the FEMA Web site, www.fema.gov , or call FEMA toll free at 1-800480-2520. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) The RFA program provides costshare grants for equipment, training, and fire prevention and mitigation activities for those rural/volunteer fire departments (RFD’s) that protect rural communities and play a substantial cooperative role in the suppression of wild land fires in, on, or near United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) lands. See http://www.nifc.gov/rfa/ for additional eligibility requirements and for contact phone numbers. See: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Appl icants/DOI/FWS/NIFC/DOIGRANTS-011504001/Modification3.html http://www.nifc.gov/rfa/contac ts.html GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 12 of 14 Shorts: Keep Your Eyes Open! Watch this site as it develops. Some great potential for distance learning. http://www.etc.cmu.edu/projec ts/hazmat Transportation Research Board (TRB) Publications One of the most important activities of the Transportation Research Board is the dissemination of current research results. A primary goal of the publications program is to circulate current information and research on transportation policy and practice as expeditiously and broadly as possible. The books, reports, and miscellaneous publications of the Transportation Research Board cover nine general subject categories: planning, administration, and environment; design; materials, construction, and maintenance; operations and safety; aviation; public transit; rail; freight transportation (multimodal); and marine transportation. Search more than 1,500 TRB full-text electronic publications at http://www4.trb.org/trb/online pubs.nsf (Thanks to CHMM for sharing) Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is quite interested in participating in ANY "spill drill" you may know about, particularly INLAND SPILLS. Can't think of a more delightful place to practice than the COLORADO RIVER!! Also, considering issues of TRUST RESOURCES, this is a great opportunity for mutual exploration of capabilities and knowledge. Tribal involvement/ participation would be quite beneficial to the tribes, FWS and all participants in such an exercise. Might be a great undertaking for the Region IX, Regional Response Team! So, if you have any information regarding upcoming exercises in this arena, please contact: Carrie Marr at Carrie_Marr@fws.gov Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Contaminants US Fish and Wildlife Service (602) 242-0210 x214 DHS Fire Grant Program Information The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program has posted on its home website http://www.firegrantsupport.co m some statistics on the applications received during the March 7 - April 8, 2005 application period. The application period for the AFG (also known as "fire grants") marks the first time that nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations could apply for financial assistance. The posted statistics reflect that one thousand five hundred and ninety (1,590) of the applications received were from EMS organizations. Useful Documents: The European Industrial Gases Association EIGA) is a safety and technically oriented organization representing the vast majority of European and a number of non-European companies producing and distributing industrial, medical and food gases. Most national industrial gases associations are also associated to EIGA. EIGA publishes a large range of useful documents, written by experts in technology and safety. The publications entitled "IGC Documents", "Position Papers", "Safety Newsletters", "Environmental Newsletters" and "Safety Information" are all available to the public on the EIGA website for downloading free of charge. http://www.eiga.be/catalogue/c atintro.asp Also, see "Compressed Gas TREM Card (TRANSPORT EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DRIVER) http://www.eiga.be/pdf/tremca rds%20English.pdf Thanks to hazmat101@yahoogroups.com GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 13 of 14 Upcoming Deadlines: EPCRA Reminder July 1, 2005 was the last day to be on time! Form R’s or Form A’s due to state and EPA – July 1 Voluntary revisions are due July 31, 2004 to ensure their inclusion in the annual data release for the previous calendar year. CWA Reminder Annual reports under 40 CFR 141.152(c) for community water system were due – July 1 TSCA Reminder Prepare written annual PCB Document logs were due – July 1 Annual PCB report due – July 15 CAA Reminder Existing sources subject to organic hazardous air pollutant emission controls under 40 CFR 63, subpart PPP, must submit periodic report to EPA – July 26 Semi-annual report for facilities subject to new source performance standards under 40 CFR 60, Subpart Eb, located within large municipal waste combustor plant – August 1 Each producer, importer, or exporter of a Class II controlled substance must submit a report to EPA providing information on the production, imports, and exports of such chemicals during previous quarter - August 14 Upcoming Events (See http://www.dem.state.az.us/azserc/upcoming.htm for further details) July 20 – CHMM chapter meeting at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1418 N Central Ave, Phoenix. Discussion: Spill Remediation Options Facilitated by: Dwight Clark, Ninyo & Moore. If you have a program you would like to see or present, contact: Dwight Clark, dclark@ninyoandmoore.com July APEX (Arizona Peer Exchange) Training – July 7th Navajo County LEPC Arizona Peer Exchange (APEX) training. Contact Larry Dunagan at Larry.Dunagan@co.navajo.az.us for details. August 23rd – AZSERC meeting and Peer Exchange training. The Arizona Emergency Response Commission will hold a public meeting in Flagstaff at 10:30 a.m. on August 23rd, location to be determined and posted. Following the Commission meeting, Arizona Peer Exchange (APEX) training for Commissioners, Advisory Committee members and members of the Coconino Local Emergency Planning Committee will be provided. Keep an eye on www.dem.state.az.us/azserc for details under upcoming events. September 6-9, 2005 Sixteenth Annual Continuing Challenge HAZMAT Emergency Response Workshop, Sacramento California. See www.hazmat.org November 15 – 17, 2005 HazMat Explo9 and NASTTPO Mid-Year Meeting Orleans Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Nevada. For additional information, call (702) 4555710 or send an e-mail to info@hazmatexplo.org. Visit www.hazmatexplo.org for the latest information. Also see www.nasttpo.org . Commercial products and services are mentioned for informational purposes only and should not be construed as AZSERC endorsements. Let’s Hear From You! Send us your inputs and feedback on the newsletter; including, exercises and other LEPC related activities in which you've been involved. Let us know what you’d like to see in future editions. Talk to us! We appreciate your input and look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Daniel Roe Daniel Roe, Executive Director Arizona Emergency Response Commission 5636 E. McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85008-3495 Phone: Fax: (602) 231-6346 (602) 392-7519 Visit: www.dem.state.az.us/azserc www.azserc.org (for reporting) Daniel Roe – Executive Director Roger Soden – Emergency Services Program Coordinator Steve Steed - Planner II Bryon Howe – Programs & Projects Specialist II Sylvia Castillo – Admin Asst III Christine McCullough – Admin Asst II Commissioners: Frank F. Navarrete Chair Susan Gerard ADHS Director Stephen A. Owens ADEQ Director Victor Mendez ADOT Director Roger Vanderpool ADPS Director Help us reduce hard copy mail outs. Send us your email and tell us to switch you to electronic notification. Thanks E-Mail azserc@azdema.gov Designees: Daniel Roe ADEM Don Herrington ADHS Shannon Davis ADEQ Sonya Herrera ADOT Terry Conner ADPS Advisory Committee: Corporation Commission Industrial Commission State Mine Inspector State Fire Marshal Radiation Regulatory Agency Department of Agriculture Arizona Fire Chiefs Association Mesa FD & Lake Havasu FD State Attorney General Smith and Associates – Sybil Smith About Our Organization… The AZSERC was established by Arizona Law (Arizona Revised Statutes-Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 3) and is tasked with the implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPRCA) in Arizona. Intel Corporation - James Wick Apache Nitrogen – Pam Beilke VA Med. Center - Dan Johnston Gatekeeper Newsletter: Daniel Roe – Editor in Chief Bryon Howe – Editor Christine McCullough - Staff This Commission oversees 15 Local Emergency Planning Committees and supports community, industry and government and academia in: planning, release and incident reporting, data management guidance for inventory reporting, public disclosure of information about hazardous chemicals in Arizona as well as development of training and outreach programs. The Commission supports individual agency goals and objectives. This is accomplished through the receipt and coordination of emergency notifications of chemical releases, collection and provision of chemical inventory information to interested parties, training and grants programs. Additionally, the AZSERC provides consultative services, conducts and participates in workshops and coordinates development and review of plans and programs for 15 Local Emergency Planning Committees. Further, the AZSERC serves as a state clearinghouse for hazardous chemical emergency preparedness and planning activities and information through coordination with federal, tribal, state, local governments, industry and community interest groups.