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International Conference on Hydrogen Safety

Explore the critical shift to hydrogen from fossil fuels at the International Conference on Hydrogen Safety in San Sebastian. Learn about safety measures, codes, and standards, and the mission to ensure a smooth transition. Address training challenges for responders and public perception of hydrogen risks.

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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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