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International Conference on Hydrogen Safety

International Conference on Hydrogen Safety. San Sebastian, Spain September 11-13 2007. The Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel Initiative for Emergency Responder Training Presentation 1.5.130. William P. Chernicoff Commissioner Rick McCullough Chief Fred Postel.

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International Conference on Hydrogen Safety

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  1. International Conference on Hydrogen Safety San Sebastian, Spain September 11-13 2007

  2. The Hydrogen Executive Leadership PanelInitiative for Emergency Responder TrainingPresentation 1.5.130 William P. Chernicoff Commissioner Rick McCullough Chief Fred Postel

  3. The Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel HELP • Mission: To facilitate the safest possible transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen

  4. The Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel • Co-sponsored by US DOT and National Association of State Fire Marshals • Diverse, expert membership • Primary areas of concentration • Emergency responder safety • Safety codes and standards • Public education

  5. The Challenge • New technologies in demonstrations and commercially available products are entering the market • Training 1.2 million firefighters, 800,000 law enforcement officers and 200,000 local safety code enforcement officers • Training is defined by law and may differ by state • Codes and standards not ready for all applications • Public wary of hydrogen risks

  6. A Disappointing Study: Ethanol • Billions of dollars invested • 85+ ethanol production facilities built or under construction • US automakers committed to “flex fuel” autos • But … • Ethanol producers refused offers of HELP • Many states will not permit for E-85 • Lack of a standard for dispensing units • Responders not yet trained or equipped • Placard does not differentiate between ethanol and gasoline

  7. A more satisfying case study: Pipeline Emergencies • Safety training curriculum and materials • Textbook • Instructors’ Guide • PowerPoint with 10 interactive scenarios • Videotape, CD-ROM, dedicated website • Results to date • 26,000 packets in use • 8,000 trainers trained • Program part of standard training in 23 states • SPANISH AWARD

  8. HELPing to train responders for hydrogen emergencies • Expert team assembled • Model program outlined • Existing safety training programs evaluated • One program selected for refinement and North American distribution • Negotiate, refine, produce (Underway) • Implementation (Projected to begin 1Q07)

  9. Expert Team • Same leadership as Pipeline Emergencies • Emergency responders • State and local fire marshals • Automakers • Energy producers • Technology and insurance companies • Independent scientists

  10. Subject Matter Outline • Fuel/Power • Fuel type/state • Fuel hazards and properties • Recognition and identification of fuel • Vehicle Construction/Features • Overview of alternative fuel vehicles • Automotive type/design • Recognition and identification of vehicle • Vehicle hazards and properties

  11. Subject Matter Outline (Continued) • Response Procedures • Safety and size up issues • Initial actions for securing hazards • Vehicle/fuel stabilization actions • Incident plans/response procedures • Response to fuel release • Primary extrication • Model SOPs/Guidelines similar to ERG • Other response issues, i.e., first aid, hazardous materials

  12. Selection of Best Available Program • Criteria • Meets responder training needs • Fits legal requirements for training • Developed with responder input • Field tested • Selected program from California Fuel Cell Partnership and West Sacramento, CA, Fire Department • Now in negotiations on best path forward

  13. Framework of Program Implementation • Elements – “Blended Learning” • Train the trainer courses • Regional Training Centers • Mobile training units • Interactive website to reinforce training • Outreach • “Early adopter” communities and demonstrations • Partnerships with training academies • Flexibility to accommodate differences in how States deliver training

  14. Don’t “ethanol” HydrogenPublic Safety Officials are your full partners in the transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen. Final thought:

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