Report posted July 10, 2009, at 11:51 a.m. CST
The Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition has released the latest version of its Complete Training Guide for Ethanol Emergency Response. The guide includes videos, an instructor's guide and interactive workshops focusing on specific areas of ethanol emergency response.
"We are proud of the collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders in the EERC to make this resource available," Renewable Fuels Association Technical Director Kristy Moore said. "Preventing just one injury makes all the resources invested in this effort worthwhile." Members of the coalition include the RFA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Liquid Terminals Assocation, Ansul Fire Protection, Industrial Fire World and Williams Fire Hazard Control.
The EERC has been distributing ethanol emergency response training guides annually since 2007 and adds new items of information each year. Moore said future plans for the emergency response tool kit include information on spill clean-up and specific considerations for communities that have an ethanol facility located within their response territory. "Ethanol has become an integral component of America's fuel supply," she said. "As such, transportation of this renewable fuel has become more frequent throughout the United States. Despite all efforts to prevent accidents, there is the possibility of one happening, and it is essential that the first responders act immediately to the ethanol emergency incident as fully prepared as possible to deal with the situation."
The recent Canadian National train derailment near Rockford, Ill., that involved 14 ethanol-filled rail cars was a tragic example of how dangerous an ethanol incident can be. However, Moore said extensive ethanol-specific training helped the coordinated firefighting efforts of emergency responders. "Illinois has had prolific ethanol blending for more than 20 years. The resources that were available for the Rockford incident can be attributed to the fact that Illinois emergency responders have been preparing for ethanol incidents for years."
Copies of the EERC's latest training package will be distributed to FRA members and the emergency response community free of charge, according to Moore. The package is also available at no charge at
www.ethanolresponse.com.