GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER December 1, 2005 Volume V, Edition 12 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 Lou Trammell, Dep. Dir. http://www.dem.state.az.us/ Daniel Roe, Executive Director http://www.dem.state.az.us/azserc/ Special Interest Articles: Got Nitrogen? Chemical Safety Board Concerns: • Got Nitrogen? Chemical Safety Board Concerns • Tanker Car and Rail Car Storage • Theft of Explosives • TRI Reporting May Face Significant Changes • Mitigation Measures Against Damage to Gas Pipeline • Urgent Safety Recommendation-CSB First of all, be sure to visit www.CSB.gov for a wealth of information on chemical incidents/accidents and investigations. The following is essentially from John Bresland, a Board Member of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Board Members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Two contract employees died from nitrogen asphyxiation while performing maintenance on a process vessel at a refinery. It wasn't the first incident at this facility. A previous incident involving a sulfuric acid storage tank explosion resulted in the death of one employee. • Shorts • Upcoming Deadlines • Upcoming Events • Q & A from IS-800 Individual Highlights: DOT Corner 2 Homeland Security Corner 2 Tribal Corner 3 EPA Corner 4 LEPC Corner 6 Industry Corner 10 Nitrogen was added to the vessel to prevent moisture from reaching the catalyst. It appears that one of the two contractor employees likely became disoriented, passed out, and fell into the vessel after he breathed nitrogen near the manway opening on top of the vessel. The manway was also the location on the vessel where the process piping was to be re-attached. Witnesses report that the contractor employee had been reaching into the vessel, attempting to retrieve debris that was inside it. Witness statements indicate that upon seeing his colleague fall into the vessel, the second contractor employee then entered it, probably in an attempt to save his coworker. Both men died quickly from nitrogen asphyxiation. At this time, it is not known if the two men knew that the vessel contained nitrogen. Interviews with employees led the CSB to believe that the workers who perished in the most recent incident were assigned to re-attach piping to a vessel that had been shutdown and was being prepared for a return to service. The vessel If they did know it contained contained a catalyst that is sensitive to oxygen and moisture. nitrogen, the CSB is not sure whether they were aware of its serious hazards. The CSB believes that several significant safety issues are involved in this case. They are concerned about the fatalities involved and the history of incidents at the facility. They are also concerned about employee awareness of the hazards of nitrogen. In June 2003, the CSB issued a Safety Bulletin on the hazards of nitrogen asphyxiation, in which they identified 85 incidents involving nitrogen in the United States between 1992 and 2002. Eighty deaths and 50 injuries resulted from these incidents. Might be a good time to review your facility's safety procedures!! (Thanks to John Bresland, CSB. John will be in town in February 2006 – stay tuned) GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 2 of 17 Tanker Car and Rail Car Storage- Some More Food for Thought the threshold volume calculation in determining the applicability of the SPCC Regulation. When the Federal SPCC folks were asked about a situation involving a semi-transport with petroleum, the following reply was received: "When tank trucks are being used solely for delivery purposes and not for storing oil while in a facility, we generally look to DOT as the regulator, not US EPA. In this case, the volume of the tank truck(s) are not included in threshold volume determination. These tank trucks would not be permitted to contain oil at any time except when they were being brought in for filling the storage tanks or are being filled for the purpose of making a Tank trucks are generally regulated at a facility under 40 CFR 112 when that facility is required to have an SPCC plan and the tank trucks are used to store oil. These would be considered portable storage tanks and would make no difference whether they were connected to a tractor when parked. The 1320 gallon rule applies and the tank trucks' volume needs to be included in delivery outside the facility Such tank trucks must be kept emptied of all oil while being parked in the facility to escape being regulated by SPCC." Thanks to Sheldon Schall, Chief, Storage Tank Regulation Section, Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Madison, WI ; (608) 266-0956 ; Web site: http://commerce.wi.gov/ NOTE: This appears to be quite consistent with approach to EPCRA/DOT /EPA issues as well. Theft of Explosives: "ATF: Thefts of Explosives from State and Local Government Storage Facilities Are Few but May Be Underreported," by Laurie E. Ekstrand, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform, in San Mateo, California. GAO-06- 182T, October 31. See: http://www.gao.gov/cgibin/getrpt?GAO-06-182T or Highlights http://www.gao.gov/highlights/ d06182thigh.pdf A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century: This U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command document is available at http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/a wcgate/army/guidterr/ (Thanks to Ed Kostiuk, Oklahoma Health Dept) GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 17 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Update: All, I do finally have some information regarding the 2006 PDM Program. Please take note of the information and important dates below. The key change is that only 5 subapplications as well as one management cost subapplication will be accepted from each applicant. Also, in order to be eligible for a project grant, a community must have an approved plan by April 14, 2006. There will be more information coming and I will forward that as soon as I am able. Please feel free to call or email with any questions. FEMA HQ has made a decision regarding FY 2006 PDM Program implementation approach: - The application period will open on November 18, 2005. - The application deadline is March 3, 2006. - A maximum of 5 project and planning sub-applications will be accepted from each Applicant as well as one technical assistance/ management cost subapplication for Applicant management costs. Proposed FY 2006 PDM Implementation Schedule: Activity Appropriation Publish updated FY 2006 Program Guidance Application period opens Reauthorization required Eligibility and Completeness Review Training Application Deadline Eligibility and Completeness Review (3 weeks) National Ranking (1 week) National Evaluation (2 weeks) Date plan must be approved Technical Review (2 weeks) Selection for further review Pre-award and award process Date October 18, 2005 November 18, 2005 November 18, 2005 December 31, 2005 February 2006 March 3, 2006 at 11:59:59 pm EST March 6 - 24, 2006 March 27 - 31, 2006 April 3 – 14, 2006 April 14, 2006 April 17 - 28, 2006 May 2006 May 2006 – June 2007 Tribal contacts: I do not have a complete tribal email list so please forward on to any tribe that would be interested in the PDM Program. Robert McCord Pre-Disaster Mitigation DHS/FEMA Region IX -Mitigation Division 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94607-4052 p) 510-627-7059 f) 510-627-7147 Robert.McCord@dhs.gov (Thanks to Imogene Casey – jeanie_kasey@yahoo.com for sharing) “Visit www.azserc.org to see Tribal Reporting Opportunities…“ Tribal Program Link: http://ww w.epa.gov/ region09/in dian GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 4 of 17 TRI Reporting May Face Significant Changes: (Excerpted from a Report by Tom Henry, Toledo Ohio, Reporter) … to protect human health and the environment The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for nearly 20 years, has made Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI or FORM R/A) reporting information available under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know program. But now, ostensibly to give industry a break by reducing its paperwork, EPA is proposing to roll back the reporting requirement to once every two years. It also wants to raise the bar tenfold by allowing companies that release fewer than 5,000 pounds of chemicals in a given year to report less information. The current threshold is 500 pounds. * The public has until Dec. 5 to comment on the latter. Agency officials told members of Congress on Sept. 21 that they will likely spend another year weighing the pros and cons of moving away from annual reporting before deciding whether to go beyond the internal discussion stage. Records show the federal EPA has previously solicited comments from industry groups. EPA fact sheets call the plan a proposed "burden reduction rule" to help save industry money. Administration officials say small businesses could be the biggest benefactors, by avoiding the expense of what some perceive as costly and cumbersome bureaucracy. There are 23,985 facilities nationwide that are required to disclose their chemical releases to the government. The U.S. EPA estimates they collectively spend $650 million a year to do so. "We're not saying we want the program disbanded," said Michael Walls, managing director of the American Chemistry Council, which has urged less frequent reporting since 1999. "We just want to see if it can be done as effectively at less cost." Few people familiar with the TRI - the abbreviated name that regulators, businessmen and activists use for the annual inventory - claim it is perfect. Case in point: The nation's biggest overall polluter for 2003, on paper, was Alaska, which has one of the nation's most pristine reputations. But Alaska has its totals grossly weighed down by all the tons of pollutants associated with its mining and disposal operations. Industry for years has questioned why chemicals injected underground or buried in waterproof landfills are tallied the same as those which get emitted into the sky or into a body of water, where they have a more immediate chance of impacting public health. The reason: The TRI is simple number crunching. It's not intended to be a subjective analysis. It's an annual report stuffed with raw, self-reported industry numbers for air, water, and land releases - all of which are highly subject to interpretation and, at face value, offer no perspective on risk. But many people also defend the TRI as a valuable starting point for thousands of journalists, community activists, government officials, academic researchers, business executives and health advocates trying to evaluate both a region's existing pollution issues and its potential for industrial growth. Without it, there would be virtually no perspective. "There's almost no law that has been more successful in reducing pollution at less cost," said Dan Esty, director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University's law school. He and others said the annual inventory has helped awaken industry to the need for more recycling and other forms of efficiency. Some have simply been "shamed" by how their numbers have stacked up against competitors, he said. Indeed, businesses are putting out less pollution now, pound-for-pound, than they were in the 1980s. Although the TRI list of 600-some chemicals has changed over the years, releases are down in nearly all categories since the 1980s. Many attribute that to efficiency inspired by the public airing of TRI figures. The American Lung Association, which uses the TRI as a starting point for reports about asthma and other breathing issues that Americans face, concedes that sheer numbers don't tell the whole story. But as Janice Nolen, the group's national policy director said: "The lung association feels strongly that less information is not a good thing when it comes to your health." The American Chemistry Council agrees that TRI has been effective at getting industry to operate more efficiently. But, like a lot of things in business, the law of diminishing returns eventually comes into play, Mr. Walls said. "Just because we're used to doing something doesn't mean we should accept the inherent high costs or burden of doing it," he said. Access to data is something that Americans largely take for granted. But the U.S. government itself was largely oblivious to what industry was releasing until one of the world's largest environmental disasters occurred on the other side of the planet in 1984, when a deadly cloud of methyl isocyanate killed thousands of people who lived near a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India. Residents who lived in that part of India didn't know what was being stored at that plant. U.S. officials realized that many people in this country were equally in the dark about chemicals in their own neighborhoods. So the requirement for annual disclosure began under public right-to-know laws. One component of that was the creation of the TRI program. (Tom Henry can be contacted at: thenry@theblade.com or 419-7246079. See www.ToledoBlade.com) * Extended to January 13, 2006 GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 5 of 17 Arizona EPA Liaison Michael Ardito Recognized: Mike Ardito, a Senior Program Specialist and Chemical Emergency Program Coordinator for the Emergency Prevention and Preparedness Section in EPA Region IX, is an old friend of Arizona's Emergency Response Commission and chemical emergency prevention and preparedness programs. It's with great pleasure that we recently found out that Mike was awarded the Chemical Emergency Prevention and Preparedness Office (CEPPO) 2005 National Leadership Award. Mike's dedication to the national and regional emergency prevention and preparedness program, coupled with his commitment to being a solid and reliable regional and national preparedness partner as well as his ability to establish and support strong relationships with key federal, tribal, state and local prevention and prepardness partners certainly contributed to his selection. Congrats Mike! EPA Region IX Awards: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented its third annual regional Emergency Prevention and Preparedness Leadership Awards during a ceremony on November 17th, 2005 held at the HazMat Explo conference in Las Vegas. Kathryn Lawrence, the EPA's Pacific Southwest regional chief for emergency prevention and preparedness, honored program leadership and presented plaques for Regional Emergency Preparedness 2005 to: * U.S. EPA Pacific Southwest's Emergency Prevention and Preparedness Leadership Award Winner in the Lifetime Achievement Category 2005: Dan Roe has over 35 years of program experience and has been with the Arizona Division of Emergency Management since 1988. He has served as executive director of the Arizona State Emergency Response Commission since 1994 and been a national leader in the formulation, use and enhancements of industry on-line federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act reporting to state and local jurisdictions. * U.S. EPA Pacific Southwest's Emergency Prevention Leadership Award 2005: Nevada's Chemical Accident Prevention Program has been recognized for leadership incorporating federal Risk Management Program requirements for facilities under the Clean Air Act Amendments and combining it with Nevada state requirements including the safe handling of explosive materials. The Nevada State Legislature passed the Chemical Catastrophe Prevention Act in July 1991 and created CAPP following a large chlorine release from a Henderson, Nev. facility in May 1991 and a large ammonium perchlorate explosion in May 1988, also in Henderson. * U.S. EPA Pacific Southwest's Emergency Preparedness Leadership Award 2005: The Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.'s Emergency Response Program is just one of more than 20 projects operated by this organization, a consortium of 19 Native American tribes in Arizona. The program has been a leader in providing chemical emergency response awareness and training among the Arizona tribes as well as supporting development of tribal emergency response plans and tribal emergency response commissions. Accepting this leadership award on behalf of ITCA was George Little, Jr., the organization’s emergency systems development coordinator. "This year’s hurricanes remind us all of the importance of emergency preparedness. The people we are honoring are making their communities safer by preparing in advance to address potential environmental damages before they occur," said Daniel Meer, branch chief of the EPA regional emergency response and planning programs. GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 6 of 17 Mitigation Measures Against Damage to Gas Pipelines: An assessment of measures in use for gas pipelines to mitigate against damage caused by third party activity can be seen at: http://213.212.77.20/research/crr _pdf/2001/crr01372.pdf (PDF); additionally, recommendations for protecting utitlities/pipelines, accomplished by the Missouri Security Panel, Utility Committee us available at: http://www.psc.state.mo.us/publi cations/homelandfinalnonames.p df see also http://tinyurl.com/9yr6j Plan Template- Community Clinic & Health Centers: From a California Clinic Emergency Preparedness Project, California EMS Authority/ California Primary Care Association, June 2004. See http://www.emsa.ca.gov/hbppc/h bppc.asp for emergency planning information. (Thanks to Gregory T. Banner, M.S., C.E.M., Regional Emergency Coordinator, Region I - New England, US Dept of Health and Human Services) Availability of Draft Toxicological Profiles: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). has announced the availability of the 19th set of toxicological profiles, which consists of one new draft and seven updated drafts, prepared by ATSDR for review and comment. See the Federal Register dated October 25, 2005. In order to be considered, comments on these draft toxicological profiles must be received on or before February 27, 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following draft toxicological profiles will be made available to the public. Document Hazardous substance CAS No. ---------------------------------------1.... ACROLEIN (Update).. 000107-02-8 2.... ARSENIC (Update)... 007440-38-2 3.... BARIUM (Update).... 007440-39-3 4.... BENZENE (Update)... 000071-43-2 5.... HEPTACHLOR (Update)/ 000076-44-8 HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE. 001024-57-3 6.... LEAD (Update)...... 007439-92-1 7.... PERCHLORATES *..... 014797-73-0 8.... XYLENES (Update)... 001330-20-7 ---------------------------------------* Denotes new profile. (We’ve got ‘em if you want to borrow – Dan) DOE's RCRA Orientation Workshop (handouts & slides): Visit: http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/wor kshop/RCRA_3day/RCRA_3day .html The following vugraphs from DOE's RCRA Orientation Workshop are in portable document format (PDF). Table of Contents, Agenda, Master Key Word Index, List of Acronyms Introduction Subtitle D Program Overview Subtitle I Program Overview Subtitle C Program Overview Solid Waste Definition Hazardous Waste Definition Generator Categories and Requirements Hazardous Waste Transportation Hazardous Waste Record Keeping and Reporting Permitting and Corrective Action Land Disposal Restrictions The posting of the vugraphs from DOE's RCRA Orientation Workshop satisfies two objectives. First, it provides persons that may be interested in attending (or having one of their staff attend) the three-day course with an opportunity to examine similar course materials to ascertain whether the three-day course will meet their individual needs. Second, if the three-day course goes beyond their needs, this course furnishes an introduction to RCRA that may serve as a cost-effective alternative to attending the three-day workshop. Further, see DOE's online workshops for Environmental Guidance http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/training. html -DOE's RCRA Orientation Workshop (three days) -RCRA Orientation for Facility Managers -Underground Storage Tank (UST) Leak Detection Workshop -CERCLA Orientation and Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study -Environmental Laws and Regulations GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 7 of 17 References for Emergency Preparedness: 1) Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Reference Guide for the Media. US Dept of Health and Human Services. Sept 2005 http://www.hhs.gov/emergency/ mediaguide/PDF/ 2) University of Minnesota Public Health Emergency Training (UM PHET) is a series of awareness-level online modules covering various topics related to emergency preparedness, including: *Disease Surveillance and Investigation *Contact Investigation *Isolation and Quarantine *Special Populations *Disaster Mental Health *Personal Protective Equipment (coming soon) *Decontamination (coming soon) Visit: http://www.sph.umn.edu/umncphp/ phet.html (Thanks to Gregory T. Banner, Region I Emergency Coordinator, US Dept of Health and Human Services) Writing a Disaster Plan? "Writing a Disaster Plan: A Guide For Health Departments" UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters, 2005. See http://www.cphd.ucla.edu/ (Thanks to Greg Banner) VFDs and Terrorism Analogs "Feel free to use them in your around making terrorism Dr. Fred Cowie has spent his career in emergency management preparedness rational in areas with training, I have found them to work no known national or international well. I am sure there are more out attempting (with some success, here and there, now and then) to targets. "We have to learn how to there, so enlarge the list too. We have to use the eight hazard classes make people care and then train bring federal rules, regulations properly. I have named my current and the orange book (USDOT and dictates down to the local, Emergency Response Guide) if we rural Volunteer Fire Department/ approach 'VFDs and Terrorism are to succeed at generating Analogs.'" The process Fred uses District (VFD) level, in order to appropriate response at the rural is to juxtapose local hazards and assure personal safety and risks with national threats, creating level, which includes the vast appropriate response in rural, majority of geographic area and a local nexus, a personal tribal and frontier jurisdictions. jurisdictions in the U.S." His latest attempts have centered perspective. Here are the analogs. Local Hazards Terrorism Nerve Gas OrganoPhosphates, pesticides Poison Gas Chlorine, Phosphine (meth labs) Blister Gas (incapacitate, not kill) Acids and bases (in moderation) Terrorists Criminals, gang members, wackos IEDs, RPGs Pipe bombs, BLEVEs, old dynamite, old ordinance, black powder Incendiary grenades Phosphorous, magnesium, fl. solids Jet fuel in planes, etc. Gas, Diesel, LPG, natural gas Biowarfare Staph, strep, flu, virus, salmonella, etc. Dirty bombs X-ray and diagnostic radiation sources As always, thanks to Fred Cowie. recent presentations, google Check out his website at (with quotation marks) "Fred www.fredcowie.com and to find Cowie" Frederick J. (Fred) Cowie, Ph.D. E-mail: fredcowie@aol.com Phone: (24 hr cell) 406-431-3531 Public Health Incident Command System: "The Public Health Incident Command System (PHICS): A Guide for the Management of Emergencies or Other Unusual Incidents Within Public Health Agencies." Center for Public Health Preparedness, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of NY. See: http://www.ualbanycphp.org/pinata /phics/default.cfm (Thanks to Greg Banner) GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 8 of 17 HAZMAT Response- Some Thoughts for Elected Officials: There may be some confusion at all levels when it comes to a response to a hazardous materials release, to include Meth labs and other illegal drug laboratories. The confusion mainly involves the level of training for individuals who respond to a suspected release of hazardous materials in either a defensive or offensive mode. The following is provided by: Frank Livingston, EFO TOP ASSISTANT 122 Bluff Circle Waynesville, MO 65583 573 774-3473 flivingston@webound.com Your dialog is encouraged... as are your comments: "Lets go directly to a question posed to OSHA that one can relate to law enforcement, fire or EMS operational response. Question: If the fire department dispatcher receives an emergency call reporting a suspected release of a hazardous material, could an Awareness Level fire fighter respond to the scene to confirm the existence of a hazardous material release and then notify another agency with a Hazardous Materials Response Team? Response: No. If a fire department receives an emergency call reporting a suspected release of a hazardous substance, this would be considered sufficient information to warrant an emergency response. The fire department should not knowingly dispatch an "Awareness Level" fire fighter to respond to a hazardous substance emergency response. As the scenario you presented in your letter to us explains, a police officer reports the discovery of three 55-gallon drums on the side of a road and the officer believes the drums may be the result of an illegal methamphetamine laboratory "meth lab" operation in the area. These facts provide enough information to classify the situation as a potential emergency release of a hazardous substance and thus require it to be treated as an emergency response. ONLY personnel trained and certified to the Operations Level can respond to the incident. So what does this mean to city managers, county commissioners, state and federal department supervisors along with local, county, state and federal appointed and elected officials? OSHA can cite for violations of these laws even if you don’t know about them or have never read them. What about the incident commander who is responsible for a hazardous materials incident, including Meth labs responses? Here is what 29 CFR 1910(q)(6)(v) states: On scene incident commander. “Incident commanders, who will assume control of the incident scene beyond the first responder awareness level, shall receive at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level.” You can find more information by conducting a Google search using OSHA 1910.120. Also, go to the United States Fire Administrations Website: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/subjec ts/hazmat/hmep.shtm and order a free copy of the Guidelines for Public Sector Hazardous Materials Training which is designed to be used as a working reference manual by public sector managers (elected and appointed officials at the city, county, state and federal levels) to determine the exact level of hazardous materials training required for an emergency response. Here is a direct quote from the Guidelines, page 4: “Public sector employees who respond to hazardous materials and related terrorist emergencies must be properly trained to perform their jobs safely and efficiently. The employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the responding personnel as well as the protection of the public and the communities served.” Another important document to review is the Hazardous Materials Response Technology Assessment published by the United States Fire Administration and can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads /pdf/publications/fa-199.pdf Another important document that is free and can be downloaded is the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs located at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/ NFPA1600.pdf It is most important for each level of government to become familiar with the laws and requirements towards the planning, response and mitigation of hazardous materials incidents. If not, each level of government can be held financially liable for their failure to completely protect our emergency responders." GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 9 of 17 Application Procedures Announced for the 2006 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program Application procedures have been announced for the 2006 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program is once again sponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA),the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Department of Homeland Security United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships. Deputy United States Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson said “Recent catastrophic events along with daily challenges remind us of the need for cooperation between senior executives in fire and emergency services organizations and their federal, state, and local level counterparts. This need has never been greater if we are to successfully respond to the many challenges we face as a nation.” Dickinson further stated, “Those individuals selected have an opportunity to inform and educate other state and local government participants of the many contemporary emergency services issues and challenges confronting society, including fire service roles in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating terrorism situations.” Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend Harvard’s annual “Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.” The 3week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selected Fellows will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 11–30, 2006, July 9-28, 2006. Applicants must be available to attend either session. Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process, and, if selected, also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at NETC for the interview process. Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to fire and emergency services in light of their State and local program experience. The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2006 program: • Application is open to senior fire executives who have demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to impact and initiate change. Attainment of a senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating significant change within a public sector setting. • Preference may be given to applicants who are graduates of the National Fire Academy’s "Executive Fire Officer Program," although program completion is not a prerequisite. Preference may also be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work. Individuals whose organizations have been represented in the Harvard Fellowship Program during 2003, 2004, or 2005 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants. Application Instructions: (Please follow carefully as the application procedures have changed from prior years). Applicants must complete and submit two Harvard/Kennedy School of Government (KSG) forms (Kennedy School of Government Universal Form and Recommendation Form). Forms may be requested by logging onto the NFPA, IFTSA, or IAFC websites at www.nfpa.org , www.ifsta.org http://www.iafc.org/ On the KSG Universal Form, enter “Senior Executives in State & Local Government” in the program title blank; enter “June or July 2006” in the program date blank; enter “IAFC/IFSTA/NFPA/ USFA Fellowship” in the financial sponsor blank. Complete all of the other requests for information. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO HARVARD/ KENNEDY SCHOOL. For the KSG Recommendation Form, ask the Chief of Department to complete this form for you. If you are the Chief, ask your supervisor (e.g., City Manager). For the program selection (at top of form), check the block “Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program.” DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO HARVARD/ KENNEDY SCHOOL. Please complete these forms and print for submission. All applicants must include a resume with their submission. All application packages should be forwarded to the following address: Harvard Fellowship Program International Association of Fire Chiefs c/o Ms. Christine Booth 4025 Fair Ridge Drive - Suite 300 Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2868 Packages must be postmarked no later than February 18, 2006. Applicants are encouraged to use return receipt or traceable mail to verify delivery of application package to the IAFC. For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms. Kathleen Carter at (301) 447-1349 or kathleen.carter@dhs.gov For more information please refer to the USFA Web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/h igher_ed/degree_programs/harvard/ or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State & Local Government Web site at http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/Prog ramDetail.aspx?programID=29&session ID=409 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. (Thanks to Lloyd Colson, Mayes County Emergency Management Pryor, OK USA http://www.mayescem.us GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 10 of 17 Urgent Safety Recommendation- CSB: The United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Washington D.C., in late October, issued an urgent safety recommendation to the BP Global Executive Board of Directors, calling on the BP Group to 'Commission an independent panel to assess and report on the effectiveness of BP North America's corporate oversight of safety management systems at its refineries and its corporate safety culture.' address these management lapses. Many of us are seeing room for improvement when distance separates corporate headquarters from its facilities. Under the charter, the panel is authorized to conduct public meetings and is required to act by majority vote, subject to a quorum requirement, and is required to make public its operating rules. The final As recommended by the Board and report as well as any and all as chartered by BP, the panelists recommendations of the panel will be are to work independently from any made public. These provisions will outside influence. Panel members afford the public an opportunity to are required to disclose, resolve, understand and examine the and make public any material effectiveness of the panel. conflicts of interest that would compromise the independence of BP has selected a panel of ten the panel. According to the panel members, including six with The CSB took this unprecedented charter, 'Only the Independent documented expertise in process step based on evidence of systemic Panel acting by a majority vote is safety or in the safe management of management lapses that contributed authorized to remove a sitting high-risk enterprises outside the to the tragic explosion at BP's member for good cause' and the petrochemical sector. Texas City Refinery on March 23, panel 'will be solely responsible for which cost 15 lives and more than the final content of its written Visit CSB's website at www.csb.gov . 170 injuries. It was the first urgent report.' While BP may facilitate For further information, contact Dr. recommendation issued in the the panel's operations, its role with Daniel Horowitz, CSB Director of Board's eight-year history. respect to the panel's final report is Congressional, Public, and Board limited to commenting and seeking Affairs, at (202) 261-7613 / (202) NOTE: Much can be learned by correction of any factual 441-6074. other industries from CSB's step inaccuracies. and the steps that BP is taking to Business Plan Support: Looking for boiler plate starting point for business plans? Try http://www.ukresilience.info/contin gencies/cont_bus.htm "Emergency Management Guide For Business & Industry”, as well. There is an online PDF copy at: http://www.fema.gov/library/bizind ex.shtm FEMA has a publication You can also find examples and samples at: http://www.continuitycentral.com/bcp d.htm (Thanks to hazmat101@yahoogroups.com ) Report that Incident! Might want to take a look at the following website for a pretty good summation of what's required. Good reference tool. Guidelines. (Thanks to Scott Stookey, http://www.phoenix.gov/fire/shu.ht Phoenix Fire Dept) ml and click on Incident Reporting CAMEO Companion for Responders- NOW IN SPANISH: To all those who have expressed interest in the Spanish Translation of the "CAMEO Companion for Responders", the document is now available for download at the CAMEO web site, at the bottom of the following page: http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/cameo/c ompanion.htm If you have any questions or comments, contact: Peter Gattuso Office of Emergency Management (5104A) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20460 202-564-7993 (office) 202-564-2625 (fax) Do not hesitate to inform others! GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 11 of 17 US EPA Seeks Comments on proposed RQ Exemption for Certain NOx Releases: EPA is proposing to make an administrative reporting exemption pertaining to releases of less than 1,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) to the air that result from combustion activities, unless such release is the result of an accident or malfunction. In short, EPA is proposing to raise the RQ reporting (December 5th) threshold for NOx events from 10 pounds to 1,000 pounds if the release is the result of a combustion activity, but is not due to an "accident or malfunction." in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions". EPA stated it has realized that "even turning on bakery ovens could trigger the RQ for NOx when turned on for daily operations." EPA received the bakery example, and others, during the comment period for EPA's April 17, 2002 Guidance on what a "federally permitted release" is under CERCLA. Upon review of the examples, and notification data provided by the Emergency Release Notification System Note: Within the notice, EPA (ERNS), EPA concluded that references 40 CFR Part 63's reporting 10 pound NOx releases definition of malfunction which overburdens the CERCLA means "any sudden, infrequent, and notification system and impedes the not reasonably preventable failure government's ability to focus its of air pollution control and responses on more serious releases. monitoring equipment, process equipment, or a process to operate EPA stated it has also recognized in a normal or usual manner which that there is an "apparent causes, or has the potential to misunderstanding" by industry cause, the emission limitations in regarding the requirement to report an applicable standard to be NOx releases and the Agency's exceeded. Failures that are caused exercise of enforcement discretion. As such, EPA is requesting comments on this proposed rulemaking including additional data or information to help EPA consider: 1. More efficient use of CERCLA's Continuous Release reporting mechanism; and, 2. Extending the administrative reporting exemption to include ALL releases of NOx from combustion sources that are not the result of an accident or malfunction. Did you know that the current EPA rule requires reporting NOX emissions that are 10 pounds or more in 24 hours? If you are affected by this requirement you may want to submit comments and ask your trade association to submit comments. The current way the exemption is proposed may be useless in practice. And did you know that the majority of NOX emissions are from mobile sources? Comments are due by December 5, 2005. Late Reporting...What to do? Late Reporting...What to do? We're fortunate that most facilities in Arizona are doing their filing electronically. Right now, when the filing deadline is met, we "stop the presses" (so to speak) and get the data to our Local Emergency Planning Committees and to those emergency response entities with whom we have electronic agreements. The problem we face is with those regulated facilities that fail to make the reporting deadline. Procedures require those facilities to send hard copies to the LEPC and Fire Department with jurisdiction. Others who have agreed to receive reports, do not receive the information electronically for late reports until our next mass distribution, and as a result their information is dated. We're working on a fix to our online reporting to provide access "on the fly" to the response community but until we're there, we really need the regulated community to get those reports in on time. We have another opportunity rapidly approaching to do just that! March 1, 2006 is just around the corner; it's only three months away. Early filing is suggested and encouraged. Beat the rush. Those of you who are members of organizations that have Tier Two filers as members, please get the word out through them to their membership. We're looking for an EPA initiative that will address late filing, and that most probably will mean fines for those companies who didn't get their reports submitted on time. Not a costeffective way to solve the problem! Questions? Suggestions? Please contact me at Dan.Roe@azdema.gov or at 602-231-6345. Thanks, Dan Tier Two Coming Due – March 1, 2006 GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 12 of 17 Shorts: Annual Report on Carcinogens: The latest edition of the annual report on carcinogens is available at: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cf m?objectid=32BA9724-F1F6975E-7FCE50709CB4C932 Response to BioTerrorism Events: Check out the US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for information to help field and facility-based health care professionals plan for and respond to bioterrorism events or public health emergencies. The evidence-based, best-practice models in this report provide guidance on personal protective equipment, decontamination, isolation/quarantine, and laboratory capacity. See: http://www.ahrq.gov/research/de vmodels/index.html (Thanks to Gregory T. Banner, M.S., C.E.M., Regional Emergency Coordinator, Region I - New England, US Dpt of Health and Human Services) Martindale's: The Reference Desk Find extensive health science links in this multimedia research collection at http://www.martindalecenter.com Plenty of useful information and if you decide to check it out, please explore the areas of interest to the HAZMAT 101 List (tm) and post it advising what you found useful and why. Post to hazmat101@yahoogroups.com Guide to Help Prevent Drowsy Driver Accidents: The Transportation Research Board (TRB) has published "A Guide for Reducing Crashes Involving Drowsy and Distracted Drivers" that provides strategies that can be employed to help reduce trucking accidents. See: http://gulliver.trb.org/publicati ons/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_500v14.p df WMD, Emergency Management and Medical Web Sites See: http://www.health.ri.gov/biot/ web_sites.doc (Note: Word document, 75 pages.) Pandemic Flu/Avian Influenza Web Site: The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza is: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ Upcoming Deadlines: TSCA Reminder Any manufacturer or importer of 10,000 pounds or more of chemical substances described at 40 CFR 710.25 at any single site at any time during the manufacturer’s latest complete fiscal year before August 25 must report to EPA for each substance. - December 23 RCRA Reminder Generators or treaters of nonwaste-water residues described under 40 CFR 261.3(c)(2)(ii)(C)(1) that experienced a change in process or operation generating the waste or in the Subtitle D facility receiving the waste during 2005 must notify the applicable regulatory authority - December 31 Generators or treaters of nonhazardous characteristic waste described under 40 CFR 268.9(d) that experienced a change in process or operation generating the waste or in the Subtitle D facility receiving the waste during 2005 must notify the applicable regulatory authority. EPCRA Reminder Suppliers must give notice to each recipient of affected mixtures or trade name product containing toxic chemicals with the first shipment of the calendar year. - January 1 DOT/IATA/IMO Make sure you have the new International Air Transportation Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations for 2005, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Amendment 32, and the North American Emergency Response Guidebook 2004, all available from Environmental Resource Center. - January 1 GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 13 of 17 Upcoming Events (See http://www.dem.state.az.us/azserc/upcoming.htm for further details) December 6-7, 2005 First On-Scene Operations (FOSO) 16-Hour Training: Hosted by the White Mountain Apache Tribe Hon Dah Police Sunstation (1/2 mile East of Hon Dah Resort and Casino) Hon Dah, Arizona December 6-7, 2005 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call (602) 258-4822. December 7-8, 2005 Pipeline Safety: Workshops on Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) will host a workshop to help ensure full compliance with new public awareness program requirements for pipeline operators. PHMSA will provide an update on the compliance review plan. In addition, this workshop will provide a forum to share strategies for implementing new requirements successfully. Participants can learn about collaborative efforts undertaken in different sectors of the pipeline industry to improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of their related programs. The December workshop will focus on helping hazardous liquid and gas transmission operators improve their public awareness programs. It will be held on December 7-8, 2005, and will begin at 1 p.m. on the first day and end at noon on the second day. It will be held at the Hilton America, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010. Hotel reservations under the U.S. Department of Transportation room block can be made at 713-739-8000 or 1-800-4HILTON. The meeting room will be posted at the hotel on the day of workshop. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Keener, OPS, (202) 366-0970, blaine.keener@dot.gov . December 19-20, 2005 First On-Scene Operations (FOSO) 16-Hour Training: Hosted by the Gila River Indian Community District Seven Service Center. 83rd Avenue and Baseline Road (1/4 mile south of Baseline Road) Laveen, Arizona December 19-20, 2005 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions please call (602) 258-4822 January 18, 2006- Tucson: The Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society (SAEMS) will hold their 2006 "Gatekeeper" on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 in Tucson, Arizona at the Pima Community College, downtown campus. Seminar Topics • Local LEPC Issues - Panel Discussion • Data Management/ Electronic Filing of Tier 2 • Preparing for TRI Reporting • RMP Elements Management of Change • Community Emergency Response Teams • National Incident Management System • Security Vulnerability Assessments • Business Continuity Who Should Attend EH&S Professionals Emergency Responders Consultants, attorneys and regulators • • • Seminar Costs SAEMS Member Rate - $85 Non-Member Rate - $95 Late Registration (After January 4, 2006) - $100 Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. • • • Visit www.saems.org for current agenda, seminar registration and sponsorship information, or contact Pamela Beilke at (520) 720-2114 (pbeilke@apachenitro.com ) GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 14 of 17 Upcoming Events (See http://www.dem.state.az.us/azserc/upcoming.htm for further details) Continued… January, 2006 ACHMM-EPAZ...Joint Meetings: The ACHMM Thunderbird Chapter has made a reciprocal agreement with Environmental Professionals of Arizona (EPAZ) to begin having joint meetings, effective in January 2006. They believe that this new relationship will benefit both organizations and all of the members. With the combined resources of both groups, it is hoped to provide the members with great programs, events, and services. The two organizations will continue to exist as separate entities, with separate memberships and fund management. However, EPAZ members will enjoy the benefits of Thunderbird Chapter members and vice versa. ACHMM will be working with the EPAZ scholarship group, but will be offering separate ACHMM scholarships. ACHMM will also bring the CHMM certification to the mix, and hope that EPAZ members will take advantage of this opportunity for professional development. The monthly combined lunch meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursdays of each month, EPAZ's regular schedule. RSVP's are required. The cost of the meetings is $20 for EPAZ/ACHMM Thunderbird Chapter members and $30 for Nonmembers. In order to receive the ACHMM discount you must be a current, paid member of the Thunderbird Chapter. Details about the upcoming meetings can be found on the EPAZ website: http://www.epaz.org/ To learn about Thunderbird Chapter membership: http://www.thunderbirdchmm.org and click on "Membership.” Please feel free to contact Chuck Paulasky if you have questions. Chuck Paulausky, CHMM Thunderbird Chapter Vice President www.thunderbirdchmm.org CP Safety & Environmental, LLC Cell: (480) 694-1975 Fax: (480) 634-1998 cpaulausky@cpsafety.net ; www.cpsafety.net February 21-22, 2006 Second Annual Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup 2005 Join EPAZ, ACHMM, and AZSERC for a two day conference for all Environmental, Health & Safety Professionals! Featuring: Prominent Presenters, Keynote Speakers, Local & National Regulatory Agencies, Great Networking with Hundreds of your Environmental Colleagues. Located at the: Chaparral Suites Resort 5001 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, Arizona For more information please visit: www.epaz.org or www.thunderbirdchmm.org Environmental Professionals of Arizona: Upcoming EPAZ Events · Dec 8 – Luncheon Meeting, Renewable Energy, Paul Johnston, Arizona Public Service · Jan 12 – Luncheon Meeting, Joan Kard, ADEQ · Jan 25 – Mixer at George & Dragon (on Central) · February 21-22, 2006 – Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup Conference Visit http://www.epaz.org for more details about these events and check the JOB BANK too! March, 2006 LA Marathon: Pat Romero, a Dept of Transportation Federal partner (who has been quite supportive of industry and responders in Arizona), is signed up to run the next LA Marathon in March, 2006. He's running to help to find a cure for Leukemia. His family has adopted a ten year old (Laiken Kenwood) as his Honorable Team Mate. Laiken is a little girl that is battling Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). She is in remission but still receives chemotherapy four times a week. Her mom is a single mom, making their lives all the more difficult. They just don’t enjoy the good life our kids/grandkids do. You have probably heard of Team in Training (or TnT Purple) logos. Pat is looking for sponsors. He's committed to raise $2,500 by December 7. It’s a great cause, and tax deductible. The form can be found on our website www.dem.state.az.us/azserc under the "HOT STUFF" button. June 18-21, 2006 The 16th World Conference on Disaster Management (WCDM) Visit: http://www.wcdm.org for more information or call Adrian Gordon at (905) 331-2552 or email: agordon@ccep.ca GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 15 of 17 Q & A from IS-800 National Response Plan (NRP), an Introduction (See http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is800.asp ) Here are some more questions and answers from the Independent Study course IS800. Q. In accordance with HSPD-5 and other relevant statutes and directives, who has lead responsibility for criminal investigations of terrorist acts or terrorist threats? A. Attorney General B. Secretary of Defense C. Secretary of Homeland Security D. National Security Advisor organizations involved in incident management activities work together to provide critical emergency information. C. Grouping of Government and certain private-sector capabilities in an organizational structure that provides support, resources, program implementation, and services. D. Specialized advanced team that provides technical assistance to assess the situation, identify critical and unmet needs, and establish incident support facilities. Answer: C Answer: A Q. An ESF is a: A. Center that serves as the national hub for terrorism-related analysis, collecting information from members of the U.S. Government’s intelligence community. B. Physical location where public affairs professionals from Q. Which organizational element is a temporary Federal facility established locally to coordinate operational Federal assistance activities to the affected jurisdiction(s) during Incidents of National Significance? A. Incident Command Post (ICP) B. Regional Resource Coordination Center (RRCC) C. State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) D. Joint Field Office (JFO) Answer: D Q. Owners/operators of certain regulated facilities of hazardous operations: A. May bear responsibilities under the law for preparing for and preventing incidents from occurring, and responding to an incident once it occurs. B. Must take actions to prepare for and prevent incidents from occurring, but do not participate in response activities if an incident does occur. C. Use plans developed by Federal and State emergency managers to ensure that their facilities are prepared. D. Assume the role of incident Commander when an incident occurs on private-property areas associated with their facilities. Answer: A 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 GATEKEEPER NEWSLETTER Page 16 of 17 Hate to See You Go! If you recognize errors in how we've sent the email notifications, let us know. If you recognize an old email address of yours...let us know so we can remove it. Help us keep our listing accurate and up to date. Thanks. critelena@redrivernet.com downtownsouthwest@earthlink.net Mofire@ctaz.com addeddimension@qwest.com splatt@citlink.net lmrfd@ctaz.com drmcaz@workmail.com jhill@citlink.net lindenfd@frontiernet.net skyangelrn@webtv.net farkel@citlink.net mike.salisbury@phoenix.gov ilikearizona@cox.net argmkey@citlink.net admin@viohs.com rbhigley@cascadeaccess.com ae6n@citlink.net bproehl@QWEST.NET lstrodes@cascadeaccess.com sdkatrina@frontiernet.net Dorle@ultrasw.com schure@blackfoot.com clint5498@frontiernet.net astarita@solpower.com dpalml@1xnet.com akabarker@frontiernet.net f.dickerson@wt-us.com fire@dejertlink.oel gmfd@citlink.com a.stewart@wt-us.com bombero13@mail.com gsfd@ctaz.com doug.pettinger@negt.com betbay@mail.com fmmfd@ctaz.com bhcboci@frontiernet.net BHFDEMS@hotmail.com matha@pimahealth.org bgardnercep@frontiernet.net Wyatt.Brooks@citlink.net david.thibado@phoenix.gov edf@whitemtns.com gmfd@citlink.net wwiley@ca.blm.gov gbritt@vdem.state.va.us airbear@citlink.net dkerr@wcn.net charles.barr@us-pag.com nosotros@ctaz.com dbaker@wcn.net fire@ctaz.com gvfd@ctaz.com firedept@wbrgalaxy.com feshaw@ctaz.com emseagle@ctaz.com johndcable@hotmail.com dhfd@ctaz.com dianeems@ctaz.com jack@ci.pendleton.or.US bullfire@ctaz.com 4melrose@ctaz.com wolfden@ctaz.com beacom@ctaz.com jerste@et.mohave.cc.az.us wake@ncem.org emosher@theriver.com dane6@mindspring.com oatfire@citlink.net actlab@sprintmail.com steelejl@frontiernet.net sarad.nadaburgpo@maricopa.k12.az.us gwalker@basicchem.com vicjr@ctaz.com Arizona Emergency Response Commission 5636 E. McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85008-3495 Phone: Fax: Happy Holidays!! (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 Vacant Planner II Vacant – Programs & Projects Specialist II Sylvia Castillo – Admin Asst III Chrissy 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 Designees: Daniel Roe ADEM Don Herrington ADHS Amanda Stone ADEQ Sonya Herrera ADOT Terry Conner ADPS 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 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 Apache Nitrogen – Pam Beilke Intel Corporation - James Wick Private Sector Advisory Committie – Vacant Gatekeeper Newsletter: Daniel Roe – Editor Chrissy McCullough - Staff 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. 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.