Emergency Response Coordination

It is critical for facilities that store, handle, and use hazardous materials, to coordinate their emergency response activities with local first responders that may be involved in an emergency event. Site visits, phone calls, table top discussions, and joint training are all acceptable means to achieve this coordination. During an emergency, trust is critical to achieving a quick and safe response. In other words, it is ill-advised to have the plant manager meet the Fire Captain for the first time during a large ammonia leak.

The following is a letter that we often send accompanied by the emergency response plan to the most likely first responders for our clients’ facilities:

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The purpose of this letter is to communicate key information regarding the Emergency Response Program at Company XYZ. Company XYZ operates a cold storage and processing facility at 1234 Main Street. The facility utilizes a refrigeration system containing in excess of 10,000 lb of anhydrous ammonia. As it relates to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, Company XYZ has elected to use a minimal response strategy in which employees will evacuate to a safe refuge area and make notifications to trained, public responders. We have identified the Fire Station 1 as the agency most likely to fulfill the function of First Responder at Company XYZ.

Pursuant to Title 19 Division 2 Chapter 4.5 §2765.1(b)(1) “For stationary sources with any regulated toxic substance held in a process above the threshold quantity, the stationary source is included in the community emergency response plan developed under Section 11003 of Title 42 of the United States Code (USC), is included in the city or county Hazardous Materials Area plans and/or is included in the business plan program, pursuant to Section 25507 of the Health & Safety Code. The owner or operator must document that response actions have been coordinated with the local fire department and hazardous materials response agencies.“

We invite you to review the attached Emergency Response Program and provide feedback should you have any. We would welcome your department to make a site visit to Company XYZ to walk our facility and further coordinate our activities.

Please let me know if you have any questions.