International Conference on Hydrogen Safety San Sebastian Spain

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

The Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel Initiative for Emergency Responder Training Presentation 1. 5. 130 William P. Chernicoff Commissioner Rick Mc. Cullough Chief Fred Postel 2

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

The Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel n n n 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 4

The Challenge n n n 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 5

A Disappointing Study: Ethanol n Billions of dollars invested • 85+ ethanol production facilities built or under construction • US automakers committed to “flex fuel” autos n 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 6

A more satisfying case study: Pipeline Emergencies n Safety training curriculum and materials • • n Textbook Instructors’ Guide Power. Point 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 7

HELPing to train responders for hydrogen emergencies üExpert team assembled üModel program outlined üExisting safety training programs evaluated üOne program selected for refinement and North American distribution n Negotiate, refine, produce (Underway) n Implementation (Projected to begin 1 Q 07) 8

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

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

Subject Matter Outline (Continued) n Response Procedures • • • n n 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 11

Selection of Best Available Program n Criteria • • n n 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 12

Framework of Program Implementation n Elements – “Blended Learning” • • n 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 13

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