Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable
Overview
The 2026 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable (HazMat Roundtable) was held June 2–3, 2026, in Sterling, Virginia. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Roundtable brought together 49 participants representing federal agencies, state and local governments, emergency response organizations, industry associations, academia, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector stakeholders involved in hazardous materials preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. The Roundtable provided a collaborative forum for participants to exchange information, discuss emerging challenges, review progress on issues identified during previous Roundtables, and identify opportunities to strengthen the Nation’s hazardous materials preparedness and response capabilities.
A recurring theme throughout the Roundtable was the importance of improving data collection, information quality, information sharing, and data-driven decision-making. Discussions were heavily influenced by ongoing NRC modernization efforts and implementation of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) in 2025, which highlighted opportunities to improve incident reporting, data accessibility, interoperability, dashboard development, and the ability to transform incident information into actionable intelligence for responders, planners, and decision-makers. Participants discussed ongoing efforts to modernize information systems, improve accessibility of incident data, enhance interoperability among agencies and organizations, and leveraging emerging technologies to support preparedness and response activities. Discussions highlighted the need to move beyond simply collecting information and toward developing processes that transform data into actionable intelligence for responders, planners, and decision-makers. Participants also explored the concept of a centralized hazardous materials information-sharing clearinghouse to improve awareness of available resources, training opportunities, funding programs, and preparedness tools. Copies of the 2026 report and past Roundtable reports are available below.
Reports
2026 Hazmat Roundtable Report
2021 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable Report
2019 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable Report
Webinars
On Friday April 5, 2024 the U.S. Department of Transportation's (US DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) hosted a webinar to discuss the May 2023 Hazmat Roundtable. The HazMat Roundtable was formed to identify issues and suggest actions to strengthen HazMat preparedness throughout the United States. Comprised of technical specialists and subject matter experts, the Roundtable meets annually to address challenges, successes, and trends for improvement in Hazmat preparedness.
Hazmat Roundtable Webinar (2024)
Summit of Railroad HAZMAT Thought Leaders
Overview
On March 25-27, 2024, the U.S. DOT - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hosted a Summit of Railroad HAZMAT Thought Leaders in Addison, Texas. The summit was held as a neutral forum to openly discuss the various forms of training, planning, outreach, and best practices available to the emergency preparedness community as it relates to the transportation of HAZMAT by railroads throughout the United States and Canada.
Through a combination of expert panels, facilitated group discussions, and plenary reporting sessions, the summit engaged thought leaders from the emergency preparedness community, industry, and government to share their insight and feedback with a specific focus on rail-related training, planning and community outreach issues
The Thought Leaders' Summit complemented the findings of the 2022 and 2023 Hazardous Materials Roundtables which discussed emerging trends and issues within the hazardous material emergency preparedness community on a strategic level.
This report describes the background of the summit and provides a high level summary of the summit structure, topic area categories, key takeaways and observations, a conclusion, and participant feedback.
Reports
Summit of Railroad HAZMAT Thought Leaders 1-Page Report
Summit of Railroad HAZMAT Thought Leaders 17-Page Report
Video
Last updated: Friday, August 7, 2026