SERC-TERC Updates: October 2023 |
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SERCs, TERCs, and Federal Partners: Please forward this monthly update to your stakeholders
Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, training opportunities and conferences does not constitute an U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the SERC-TERC audience.
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security |
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FEMA Releases Business Emergency Operations Center Guide for Private-Public Partnerships for Public Comment
FEMA is seeking content input from whole community partners on the Business Emergency Operations Center Guide for Private-Public Partnerships draft document. The comment period is open until October 20, 2023. This review affords an opportunity for the public to provide content recommendations and refinement of the drafts. The results of this review will inform the development of the published version of the “Business Emergency Operations Center Guide for Private-Public Partnerships” draft document.
The “Business Emergency Operations Center Guide for Private-Public Partnerships” is a roadmap for a jurisdiction to integrate the private sector into emergency management planning and operations through a BEOC to improve response and recovery preparedness and build resilience in any jurisdiction. To download the draft document and comment sheet, please visit FEMA.gov. Please submit feedback to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov by October 20, 2023.
FEMA releases Information Sharing Guide for Private-Public Partnerships
USDOT Proposes Updates to Gas Distribution Pipeline Regulations, Bolstering Safety Requirements and Strengthening Community Protections
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to strengthen safety requirements for millions of miles of gas distribution pipelines. These proposed changes aim to improve safety and mitigate risk through the improvement of emergency response plans, integrity management plans, operation manuals and more. This proposal comes after the tragic Merrimack Valley incident, which injured dozens and resulted in one fatality. The comment period is open until November 6, 2023.
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EPCRA 311-312 Lithium-Ion Battery Reporting Requirements
The EPA has updated the lithium-ion battery frequent question website to provide better guidance regarding what lithium-ion batteries are subject to the federal hazardous chemical inventory reporting requirements. The updated website provides explanations regarding the consumer product and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous chemical reporting exemptions, articles, and clarifies that states, tribes, and territories may impose more stringent reporting requirements than the federal regulations. This frequent question may be useful for facilities and implementing agencies to reference for the 2023 EPCRA Section 312 Tier II Reports, which are due March 31st 2024.
2023 Chemical Security Summit Complete
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hosted the 2023 Chemical Security Summit virtually and in-person from August 29-31 in Arlington, Virginia.
- Participants from across the spectrum of sectors that deal with chemical security—including industry organizations, facility owners and operators, government officials, first responders, and law enforcement—attended the Summit to share perspectives and lessons learned, receive updates on continued threats, and engage in dialogue regarding chemical security.
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Select presentations from the 2023 Summit are available on the Chemical Security Summit webpage.
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Training Opportunities and Conferences |
ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual
This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility. This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.
ChemLock: Secure Your Chemicals Security Planning Training Course, Virtual
This course walks through how to create a tailored, scalable security plan that meets the business model and unique circumstances of a facility. Participants will learn the key elements of a chemical security plan and benefit from examples, lessons learned, and best practices. The course runs 2-3 hours in length and is designed to help leadership, facility security personnel, and other applicable personnel understand, develop, and implement a facility security plan.
Please share this course information with relevant chemical security stakeholders in your area. To request a special offering of either course for a facility or organization, please fill out the ChemLock Services Request Form. If you have questions about the ChemLock program, please email ChemLock@cisa.dhs.gov.
Register Now for the Next TRI National Conference!
The Toxics Release Inventory National Conference is back! Join EPA on October 24 & 25, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia—or virtually--for conference sessions related to the theme "TRI: Transforming Data into Action." The agenda will be available soon, but you can register now via the TRI Conference webpage.
CAMEO for Planning, Virtual
Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train you how to use the CAMEO® Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training includes CAMEO Data Manager (DM). This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars; 1-hour Zoom call on the first day of class; and four, 2-hour webinars on the remaining 4 days. One remaining session in 2023:
- Session 3: Oct. 25 – Nov. 29 (Wed. webinars – skip Thanksgiving week)
- All Zoom Calls begin at 8am PT/9 MT/10 CT/11 ET
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Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises (TTX) available to local industry and community responders
- ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with IIAR, RETA, and GCCA to present safety and emergency response preparedness training at minimal cost to the attendees.
- ASTI worked with Region 9 EPA to create ammonia Tabletop Exercises based upon the One Plan four stages of response; focused on engaging local, state, and federal emergency response plans.
- ASTI organizes and leads a local committee of industry, public safety, and governmental leaders to create Safety Day presentations and Tabletop Exercises.
- Sample topics include: hazard analysis, health & safety concerns, critical task readiness, e.g., emergency system control, rapid “grab and go” rescue by first responders, and methods of containment and control of ammonia events using proper methods e.g., personnel protective equipment, decontamination, teaming agreement with public safety responders, monitoring systems, and command team coordination and communications readiness to address on-site and off-site life safety and environmental receptors.
Scheduled Events
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Environmental Protection Agency / Department of Homeland Security & US Coast Guard
Department of Labor & Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Department of Transportation / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/ Department of Agriculture
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