Emergency response program communications

A plant team working with the Pampa fire department brought the fire under control. The Chemical Manufacturers Association s Community Awareness Emergency Response Program (CARE), developed after the Bhopal disaster was credited with effectiveness of their efforts in putting out the fire. 

Chemical Manufacturers Association. Community Awareness Emergency Response Program Handbook Chemical Manufacturers Association Washington, DC, 1985. 

It is certainly difficult to find any redeeming aspect to this story. However, it did lead the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) to adopt, in 1988, its Responsible Care program. The first step was the voluntary Community Awareness Emergency Response program. While chemical companies have demonstrated commitment to these values, today there is renewed concern over protecting chemical plants from terrorists. 

Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER)—a program designed to inform the community surrounding a plant of potentially hazardous situations and of hazardous chemicals found in the plant, to work with the community to develop emergency response programs, and to open the lines of communication between industry and the community. 

The analysis of evasive actions is empirical, and is based primarily on historical information firom past incidents. These rates may be pessimistic because increased attention is now being given to emergency response plans for CPI facilities. These response plans should improve the scope and response to evasive actions [e.g., CMA s CAER (Community Awareness and Emergency Responses) program]. 

Reports are another important communications aspect of the emergency response program. Most laws insist on prompt notification of the proper agencies immediately after an incident occurs. These reporting requirements can be complex, particularly in view of the fact that many laws have their own lists of hazardous substances and reportable quantities. CERCLA requires that releases of a reportable quantity of what it defines as a hazardous substance must be reported immediately to the National Response Center (NRC). EPCRA requires facilities that store and/or release reportable quantities of substances on its EHS list to report that information to the LEPC and the SERC. 

Provides information about all RCRA regulations and programs including the Resource Conseiwation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)/Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III. Operates weekdays from 9 00 a.m. to 6 00 p.m., EST, excluding Federal holidays. Sendees are also available in Spanish. 

CAER Community Awareness and Emergency Response a program developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association to provide guidance for chemical plant managers to assist them in cooperating with local communities to develop integrated hazardous materials response plans. 

Program Level 1 Conduct a worst-case release scenario analysis, review accident history, ensure emergency response procedures are in place and coordinated with community officials. 

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) program provides comprehensive guidelines for the development and implementation of an ERP. The CAER program has been expanded to include all aspects of the chemical industry in an initiative called Responsible Care. 

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