Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Roundtable
Overview
On May 21–22, 2024, the 2024 HazMat Roundtable was hosted by the National Fire Academy (NFA) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the event was attended by HazMat technical specialists and practitioners from over 20 organizations including its host, sponsors, and other organizations. Organizations in attendance included the EPA, CHEMTREC, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Association of SARA Title III Officers (NASTTPO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to name a few.
The goal of the Roundtable was to discuss challenges in HazMat preparedness, offer recommendations and solutions to these challenges, and review the accomplishments and best practices that the Roundtable members and their organizations have been doing in the HazMat arena since the 2021–2022 Roundtable meetings.
The objectives of the Roundtable included:
- Prioritizing HazMat preparedness issues that have been previously identified and discussed at prior Roundtable sessions,
- Determining ways and processes to leverage the work that is currently being done, and
- Discussing new HazMat preparedness issues and challenges, as well as emerging trends and technologies that can be used to help address these challenges.
This report describes the Roundtable discussions, provides high-level summaries of the Roundtable member presentations and updates, and details the HazMat Roundtable’s feedback, recommendations, and suggested plans of action.
Reports
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 16, 2024