SERC-TERC Update: March 2023
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
EPA Compliance Advisory: Federal Facility Compliance Under EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to Reduce Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities
This advisory notifies the public about U.S. EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to reduce the risk to human health and the environment by reducing the likelihood of chemical accidents at these facilities. EPA found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing risks that chemical accidents pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities to protect surrounding communities. The goal of this NECI is to reduce the risk to communities by improving safety measures at these regulated facilities. EPA advances risk reduction by conducting inspections and enforcement activities at facilities subject to the CAA chemical accident prevention requirements and developing compliance assistance materials for the regulated community.
FEMA Seeks Public Feedback on Hazard Mitigation Documents
FEMA is seeking public feedback on nine Hazard Mitigation resource typing documents. These resource typing documents include two National Incident Management System-typed Hazard Mitigation teams for operations and planning and seven positions that make up the teams. This 30-day national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on March 16.
Hot Topics
Updated CISA.gov Website
CISA has launched its newly revamped CISA.gov website. In addition to organizing the site by service and tool, CISA added audience-based search capabilities so individuals and partners have another way to find what they’re looking for. A new Spotlight section highlights topics and the News and Events page, can keep you updated.
Importantly, the new website also reflects the One CISA philosophy. For example, CISA.gov now includes all the information from the former US-CERT website. All that operational content—the alerts and advisories—is still there, now consolidated so you can find it more quickly. Resources and tools are no longer separated by program, but are now listed in a filterable system on our Resources & Tools page, making it easier to find exactly what you need with just a few simple clicks.
If you had bookmarks to any of the CFATS or ChemLock webpages on the previous website, those bookmarks should still work. Please update all bookmarks, including links to individual documents. If for any reason you need help finding a new link, please don’t hesitate to contact CFATS@hq.dhs.gov.
- New Chemical Security topic webpage
- New Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) webpage
- New ChemLock webpage
- New Ammonium Nitrate Security Program webpage
This has been a long-awaited project, and CISA is excited to finally share it with our partners and the public. For a quick tour of the new web features, take a look at the launch video.
CFATS Operational Updates
To date, CISA has received over 107,000 Top-Screen submissions from over 44,000 unique facilities. Of these, CFATS covers 3,246 facilities. Additionally, the program has completed 4,644 Authorization Inspections, 10,204 Compliance Inspections, and 10,451 Compliance Assistance Visits.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
Online Training: Hazmat Management Railroading 101
The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Hazardous Materials Management Team presents Railroading 101, and provides and overview of the UPRR system, pre-planning, railroad equipment (locomotives, tank cars (pressure and non-pressure), contacting the railroad, discusses safety while operating on or near the railroad, railroad resources, markings, rail shipping papers, the emergency response process, and recovery operations.
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.
Event schedule updated regularly on ASTI website at www.ammonia-safety.com.
For a current list of events: Event Schedule
Contact ASTI via email at asti@ammonia-safety.com or call 831-761-2935 for more information.
More Information
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