CHAPTER 5

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER) C. A. Leif Ericson and Thomas K. Warnock CHEMTREC, Arlington, VA

5.1

INTRODUCTION The Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) was established as a public service by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in 1971. It was organized in response to several accidental chemical releases for which responders could not obtain adequate information to mitigate the hazards. ACC’s approximately 190 member companies represent more than 90% of the productive capacity for basic industrial chemicals in the United States. CHEMTREC is a 24-hour resource center that provides technical and emergency response information, shipper contact, and medical assistance for incidents involving chemicals and other hazardous materials to first responders, the transportation industry, medical professionals, and others. The Center also provides access to industry mutual aid programs and is involved in prevention by providing training assistance and materials and educational programs. CHEMTREC also assists shippers of hazardous materials to satisfy regulatory requirements related to shipping chemicals and assists in chemical incidents and medical emergencies not related to transportation. Anyone with a chemical emergency may call, free of charge, to receive appropriate emergency response advice. CHEMTREC provides immediate technical assistance from chemical product safety specialists, emergency response coordinators, toxicologists, physicians, and other industry experts. The Center serves as a communications link for the responder, facilitating the rapid transfer of information and allocation of resources. Calls are received from all over the world, including from ships at sea. Translation services are available for callers who do not speak English. ACC employees who are fluent in foreign languages also provide translation assistance. The emergency response information provided by CHEMTREC comes from a number of sources. Some is from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), which are product-specific documents containing health and safety information provided by the manufacturer. Shippers provide MSDSs on their products to CHEMTREC for distribution to responders during an emergency. Other sources of information include the North American Emergency Response Guidebook (NAERG), standard industry text references such as the Emergency Action 5.1

5.2

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FIGURE 5.1 CHEMTREC Emergency Call Center, Arlington VA.

Guides published by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), and programs on CDROM such as Tomes. CHEMTREC’s Emergency Services specialists are hazardous materials professionals, many of whom are experienced in the emergency response field. They attend a 40-hour, technician-level course on hazmat response as well as additional specialized training courses throughout their career. They have access to an extensive database of contacts with manufacturers, shippers, carriers, and contractors if further chemical or technical assistance is required. As shown in Table 5.1, CHEMTREC receives more than 100,000 calls each year and handles nearly 20,000 incidents annually. The number of employees at the Center has increased by 50% in the last three years as their services become better known and the number of calls increases. In addition, shippers and carriers are now required to report 100% of incidents through CHEMTREC and Responsible Care outreach to carriers and the industry. CHEMTREC can be reached 24 hours a day, every day of the year, from anywhere in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands through a toll-free emergency number (1-800-424-9300). Callers outside the United States and ships at sea can contact the Center using CHEMTREC’s international and maritime number (1-703-527-3887). Emergency collect calls are accepted.

5.2

CHEMTREC’S RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY CALL When CHEMTREC receives an emergency call, an Emergency Services specialist obtains the caller’s name and organization, telephone and fax number, the location of the incident, the shipper, consignee, and carrier, the product name, and the nature of the incident. CHEMTREC then provides immediate emergency response information about the chemical(s) involved, often obtained from the manufacturer’s product-specific MSDS in the Center’s library of nearly 2.5 million such documents. These are accessed in seconds and faxed to responders on-scene at a hazardous materials incident. Other sources of information are other technical text references and computer databases. The details of the incident are quickly relayed to the shipper or manufacturer of the product involved, and the carrier can be notified as necessary. The shipper is put in contact with the incident scene to provide follow-up technical advice and assistance, including dispatching personnel to the scene if required.

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER)

TABLE 5.1 Total Calls to CHEMTREC (1995 to 1998) 1995: 44,179 total calls (25,020 emergency-related, 19,159 non-emergency)

5,000

Total Calls Related to Emergencies for the Month (both incoming & outgoing):

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 JAN '95

Total Non-Emergency Calls for the Month:

MARCH '95

MAY '95

JULY '95

SEP '95

NOV '95

1998: 110,973 total calls (84,685 emergency-related, 26,288 non-emergency)

Total Calls Related to Emergencies for the Month (both incoming & outgoing):

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000

Total Non-Emergency Calls for the Month:

2,000 0 JAN '98

MARCH '98

MAY '98

JULY '98

SEP '98

NOV '98

FIGURE 5.2 CHEMTREC’s original reference library: Tub files with documents on 1,700 different products.

5.3

5.4

CHAPTER FIVE

While not a government agency, CHEMTREC maintains contacts with several U.S. government response organizations that provide response information and assistance. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes that CHEMTREC will assist any caller with a chemical emergency. The Center can contact those government agencies that ship hazardous materials if their shipments are involved in accidents while in transit. CHEMTREC also liaises with emergency call centers in countries outside the United States. It is important to identify the shipper and the specific product name to minimize the time needed to provide information and assistance in an emergency. Shipping papers, which normally accompany hazardous materials in transportation, are the primary source for this information. If shipping papers are unavailable, rail car numbers, truck numbers, container markings, and carrier names can help to identify cargoes and shippers. Shippers want to know about emergencies quickly so they can provide needed emergency response information and solve customer service problems. Even when only limited information is available about the product or the nature of the problem, personnel at the Center can usually provide valuable information and guidance by using the network of company contacts, extensive reference library, product-specific mutualaid networks, and other resources. The more detailed the information provided, however, the faster and better service can be provided. The CHEMTREC Emergency Assistance Guidelines form is included in this chapter. This form can be reproduced and used as a checklist for gathering and organizing information during a hazardous materials incident.

5.3

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES CHEMTREC can assist those providing emergency medical treatment for chemical exposure. Assistance is provided by medical specialists from the manufacturer, the shipper, or those under contract to CHEMTREC. This assistance is best used by the physician at the receiving hospital. While the Center can provide assistance to emergency medical service personnel on the scene if necessary, CHEMTREC normally advises on-scene personnel to prepare and transport the patient in accordance with local protocols. The physician at the receiving medical facility should then contact CHEMTREC for further medical assistance.

FIGURE 5.3 CHEMTREC’s data center includes optical disk storage equipment for 2.5 million MSDSs.

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER)

5.4

5.5

NEW HAZARDS: RESOURCES FOR INCIDENTS INVOLVING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) With the growing threat posed by terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), CHEMTREC has developed resources to meet the response community’s need for information about these new hazards. In addition to assembling product information on chemical and biological agents that can be immediately relayed to responders, CHEMTREC has an up-to-date network of contacts with military, health services, and law enforcement personnel. The Center can quickly put emergency responders in touch with experts in this field. The U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) must also be notified of all known or suspected incidents involving acts of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction occurring in the United States. NRC then notifies the appropriate federal authorities. While CHEMTREC does not make that notification, it can arrange a conference call between responders and the NRC. Responders can contact the NRC directly by calling 1-800-424-8802.

5.5

PRODUCT-SPECIFIC, MUTUAL-AID NETWORKS Mutual aid networks are organized by chemical industry trade associations or by agreement between producers to ensure that resources are available for mutual assistance in case of an emergency involving specific chemical products. CHEMTREC serves as a central reporting and coordination point for several of these networks. When advised of an incident, shippers can instruct CHEMTREC to activate a mutual-aid program to dispatch specialized teams to the scene for incidents involving chlorine, compressed gases, vinyl chloride, pool chemicals, and many other products. For more information on CHEMTREC mutual-aid programs, contact CHEMTREC’s Director of Information Services and Marketing at 1-703-741-5503, by fax at 1-703-741-6503, or by e-mail at [email protected].

5.6

EMERGENCY SERVICES SPECIALISTS CHEMTREC’s Emergency Services specialists are people with extensive experience in civilian and military emergency response. The current staff of 14 Emergency Services specialists includes active and retired firefighters, former U.S. Coast Guard personnel, retired military explosive ordnance disposal personnel, and a chemist. Emergency Services specialists receive ongoing training throughout their career. In addition to a monthly refresher / drill program, they attend advanced training courses in telecommunications skills, crisis management, and hazardous materials response. Each year, several personnel receive specialized training on railroad and intermodal equipment at the Association of American Railroads Transportation Test Center training facility. While CHEMTREC personnel do not actually go to the scene of hazardous materials incidents, this training coupled with prior experience allows them to understand conditions faced by responders and to provide guidance on technical issues, such as selecting air monitoring or personal protective equipment. Most of CHEMTREC’s Emergency Services specialists work a rotating shift of two 12hour days, two 12-hour nights, and four days off. In addition to the 12 personnel assigned to shifts, two people work on weekdays during peak periods. The staffing schedule ensures that there are always enough personnel to handle the number of calls, which can be as many as 250 calls per day.

5.6

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FIGURE 5.4 A CHEMTREC Emergency Services specialist (with an industry response team member) receives training in chlorine leak control.

5.7

TRAINING RESOURCES The following emergency response training resources are available.

• Handling Hazardous Materials Incidents: A Lending Library of Audiovisual Training Pro-

grams for Emergency Response Personnel. Several of the programs in this catalog were developed by emergency response experts from ACC member companies. Others are produced by other chemical industry trade associations, carriers, and carrier associations, or hazardous materials training consultants. These materials provide responders with technical information and instruction on safely mitigating incidents involving a variety of hazardous materials. Library materials are available on loan at no cost. Many of the programs can

FIGURE 5.5 Handling Hazardous Materials Incidents.

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER)

5.7

also be purchased and some can be reproduced at no charge. For a copy of the catalog, please contact CHEMTREC at 1-703-741-5726 or by fax at 1-703-741-6082. • CHEMTREC Workshops. These workshops are hands-on training courses for emergency responders. Two classes are offered—a basic course and a 36-hour course designed for intermediate and advanced responders. In both classes, students participate in realistic scenarios and learn how to mitigate incidents involving various trucks, rail cars, and other

FIGURE 5.6 CHEMTREC Emergency Assistance Guidelines.

5.8

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FIGURE 5.7 Training workshop at the Association of American Railroads Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

containers. The classes also cover working in the Incident Command System, container features, containment and confinement, and personal protective equipment. For more information on training opportunities, contact CHEMTREC at 1-703-741-5259 or by fax 1703-741-6259. • The North American Emergency Response Guidebook. In 1996, the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican governments developed a single Emergency Response Guidebook for North America. The new book replaces previous versions of both the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook and Canada’s Dangerous Goods Initial Emergency Response Guide. This book is available free of charge to emergency response organizations through DOT-designated coordinators in each state. CHEMTREC personnel review proposed revisions of this publication prior to release. CHEMTREC is listed in the document as an organization that can be called for assistance in a hazardous materials emergency.

5.8

DRILLS FOR EMERGENCIES In many cases, CHEMTREC is called for the first time during an actual emergency. If CHEMTREC is involved in a drill for a hazardous materials response, an additional dimension of realism can be added to the exercise. CHEMTREC handles drills in exactly the same manner as an actual emergency. By working together in advance, emergency responders will better understand what resources and services are available. This facilitates smoother operations if an actual incident occurs.

FIGURE 5.8 The North American Emergency Response Guidebook.

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER)

5.9

CHEMTREC’s Hazardous Materials Exercise Scenario form, which is included at the end of this chapter, asks for the basic details about the exercise (who, what, where, and when) and a local contact person. The expected time of the drill must be included, as well as the time that participants are expected to call CHEMTREC. Because an emergency services specialist is assigned to each exercise, it is very important that an accurate time be given for an incoming call. If a call does not come in to the center at the indicated time, the staff person will attempt to reach the drill coordinator. If CHEMTREC is unable to participate for any reason, every effort will be made to contact the coordinator in advance. The completed form must be faxed or e-mailed back to CHEMTREC at least 48 hours before the drill or mailed at least 10 days before the drill. The fax number is 1-703-7416090, the e-mail address is [email protected], and the mailing address is 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Call the Center at 1-703-741-5525 to confirm that the form was received. For a drill involving specific products or chemicals, it can also be arranged for a product shipper or manufacturer to participate in the drill. CHEMTREC must be advised about drills as early as possible to allow for scheduling. CHEMTREC must also be advised if the drill is canceled or postponed for any reason, so that any special scheduling can be changed. The Center sends out a brief survey form after a drill to evaluate their performance and to obtain feedback on ways to improve their service. Further information is available by contacting the Senior Staff Assistant at 1-703-741-5525, or by fax or e-mail.

5.9

TYPICAL CHEMTREC INCIDENTS CHEMTREC is committed to providing emergency response personnel, law enforcement agencies, and other interested persons with information and advice for dealing with emergencies associated with hazardous materials. The following incidents are representative of the emergencies handled at the Center every day.

• A driver for a trucking company called CHEMTREC from a highway in New Mexico to

report that tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide was leaking from a tote bin inside his trailer. He could not identify the shipper or consignee for his load, but did provide his company’s safety department contact and his trailer and tractor number. The Emergency Service specialist contacted the carrier’s safety department and identified the shipper and the consignee. The shipper was contacted and asked to call the carrier’s safety department. The safety manager for the carrier called back stating that the shipper had contacted him to provide product information and advising that the local fire department had arrived on the scene. He also advised that the consignee was sending a cleanup crew. CHEMTREC was also contacted by the New Mexico State Police, who were put in touch with the shipper to answer their concerns about the product. • A fire brigade in South Africa called the CHEMTREC Emergency Center reporting that a truck carrying purified terephthalic acid had been involved in an accident. An undetermined amount of product had spilled onto the highway and the shipper was not known. The caller wanted information on the product and advice on mitigation. While the caller was on the line, the Emergency Services specialist faxed out an MSDS from a basic producer in the United States. CHEMTREC offered to contact the basic producer and the caller accepted the offer. The specialist then passed all known details to the U.S. producer of the chemical, who agreed to assist. The producer later called back to advise that a chemist from the U.S. producer’s plant had contacted the fire brigade to provide needed information. • A trucking company dispatcher called CHEMTREC to report that an unknown product was leaking from a trailer parked at a truck stop in Arizona. After the local fire department was called, they called CHEMTREC for assistance in identifying the products in the trailer. As there were multiple shippers’ products in the truck, CHEMTREC asked that the bill of

5.10

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CHEMTREC Hazardous Materials Exercise Request Thank you for requesting CHEMTREC assistance for your hazardous materials exercise. To ensure the exercise proceeds smoothly, please provide us with the following information. We suggest that you contact us at (703) 741-5524 the business day before the drill to confirm the drill or let us know if the drill has been cancelled or rescheduled. IMPORTANT: WHEN CALLING, USE THE CHEMTREC EMERGENCY NUMBER (800) 424-9300 AND CLEARLY STATE TO THE COMMUNICATOR ANSWERING THAT THE CALL IS FOR A DRILL. DATE OF EXERCISE: TIME OF EXERCISE:

EASTERN

CENTRAL

MOUNTAIN

PACIFIC

OTHER (specify)

DRILL COORDINATOR NAME/TITLE: ORGANIZATION: ADDRESS:

CITY/STATE/ZIP:

TELEPHONE:

FAX:

PRODUCT(S) INVOLVED: (Chemical/product name and/or UN number) CONTAINER TYPE/SIZE(S): AMT. OF PRODUCT INVOLVED:

RELEASED:

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: INCIDENT SITE TELEPHONE:

FAX:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

EXPECTED TIME THAT DRILL PARTICIPANTS WILL CALL CHEMTREC: EASTERN CENTRAL MOUNTAIN PACIFIC

OTHER (specify)

ARE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING? MANUFACTURER: SHIPPER: CARRIER: PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME(S) AND NUMBER(S) FOR ANY SHIPPER, CARRIER OR MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATING, AS WELL AS ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS EXERCISE.

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY FAX AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR BY MAIL 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO: CHEMTREC 1300 WILSON BOULEVARD, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22209 voice:(703)741-5525 fax:(703)741-6090 e-mail: chemtrec @ americanchemistry.com

FIGURE 5.9 CHEMTREC Hazardous Materials Exercise Request.

CHEMTREC (THE CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER)

5.11

lading be faxed to the Emergency Center and determined that there were two shippers involved, shipping hydrofluoric acid solutions and ethylene glycol. The Emergency Services specialist contacted each shipper, requesting that each company contact the reporting carrier’s dispatcher. In turn, the shippers called back to advise that their respective emergency coordinators had made contact and that responders had been given information on the product. • CHEMTREC received a call from a railroad reporting a train derailment. The report stated that derailed tank cars contained sulfuric acid, a naphtha / xylene mixture, and residue of silicon tetrachloride. It was reported that an unknown amount of product was leaking from the rail cars. Adverse weather conditions in the area were hampering response and evaluation of the incident. CHEMTREC faxed MSDSs to the local fire department and to the nearest poison control center and arranged a conference call between the shippers, the fire department, and railroad representatives.