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IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee

Mission The IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee serves as the IAFC’s subject matter expert regarding hazardous materials and dangerous goods. In that capacity, the committee: Monitors and identifies trends in the fire and emergency response community and industry with regard to emergency response to hazardous materials incidents both nationally and internationally. Monitors and provides recommendations with regard to development of new equipment and associated training and tactics. Develops lessons learned from major incidents. Advises the IAFC Board of Directors on policy issues relating to hazardous materials response. Works closely with Congress and federal agencies to ensure that federal law, regulations, and policies are written and implemented to meet the needs of the IAFC and chief fire officers. Projects Plans the annual International Hazardous Materials Response Team Conference. Hydrogen Leadership Panel Ammonia Emergency Response Project Tank car redesign U.S. Department of Homeland Security Target Capabilities Partners with other organizations to help develop training materials and advisory information on the response to alternative fuels, including ethanol-blended and biodiesel fuels. Assists with the development of the National Hazardous Materials Fusion Center to serve as a data and information sharing network for first responders, federal and state agencies and the private sector resulting in enhanced decision-making for the mitigation of hazardous materials incidents and better preparation for anticipating future incidents. Represents the IAFC on the NFPA 472 process committee. Advises Congress on major legislation concerning hazardous materials transportation and storage. Works with the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the development of federal initiatives and regulations to improve the training for and response to hazardous materials incidents. Coordinates with federal investigative agencies, such as the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the National Transportation Safety Board, to improve the preparedness and response to hazardous materials incidents. Cooperates with the chemical, petroleum, and transportation industries to improve safety, security, and provide training to emergency responders. Participates in international organizations, such as CTIF, to learn about international hazardous materials response tactics, equipment, and training. Filed Regulatory Comments IAFC comments re: PHMSA Request for Comments for Revisions of Requirements for Emergency Response Telephone Numbers (pdf) August 31, 2007 IAFC comments re: OSHA Request for Information for Emergency Response and Preparedness (pdf) December 7, 2007 Members Chair: Tim Butters, Assistant Chief, City of Fairfax (VA) Fire Department Vice Chair: Robert W. Royall, Jr., Assistant Chief, Harris County (TX) Fire and Emergency Services Richard Brenner, Hazardous Materials Coordinator, Clark County (NV) Fire Department Gene P. Carlson, Training Chief, York County (PA) Hazmat Charles Cordova, Captain, Seattle Fire Department (WA) Richard C. Edinger, Battalion Chief, Chesterfield (VA) Fire & EMS Richard B. Emery, President, Emery and Associates (IL) John Hellmers, Fire Chief, Kenner Fire Department (LA) Robert J. Ingram, Battalion Chief, New York City (NY) Fire Department James F. Kelly, Jr., Assistant Chief, Bryn Mawr (PA) Fire Department Jack Taylor, Chief, Emporia (KS) Fire Department John Voigt, Deputy Chief, Bloomington Fire Department (MN) Adjunct Members Chris Hawley, Senior Deputy Project Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation (MD) Gregory Noll, Program Manager, South Central (PA) Regional Counter-Terrorism Task Force Steve Patrick, FBI Laboratory (VA) Glen Rudner, Hazardous Materials Officer, Department of Emergency Management (VA) Staff Liaison Tom Wells, Program Manager,  National Hazmat Fusion Center, International Association of Fire Chiefs (VA)

Want to connect with IAFC members regarding hazmat issues? Participate in the conversation in the hazmat online discussion forum and set-up your preferences to get notified by email when postings occur. Need help logging in or with the discussion forum? Go to our help page. By using the IAFC discussion forums, you agree to adhere to the rules and etiquette. Presented by the IAFC’s Hazardous Materials Committee. Developed by the IAFC in cooperation with PHMSA.