WHAT IS WORST CASE FOR HYDROGEN? In the US, serious state and local opposition to nuclear energy, natural gas, methanol and MTBE, LNG terminals, pipelines … followed by yet another failure to build public confidence in hydrogen infrastructure and technologies.
WHAT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION? Listening to public concerns now. Working with federal and state hazardous materials and safety regulators now.
US Department of Transportation scope: autos, highways, mass transit, hazardous materials transportation, aviation, pipelines, maritime, rail and portable devices WHO ARE WE? International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment: Promotes products that simultaneously meet high standards for safety, health and environment State Fire Marshals US scope: Fire code enforcement and permitting, incident investigations, hazardous materials, firefighter training and safety, public information, policy
International Consortium for Fire Safety Health & the Environment FACILITATING THE SAFEST POSSIBLE TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL TO HYDROGEN FUELS: HYDROGEN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PANEL William P. Chernicoff USDOT – RITA George Miller International Consortium for Fire Safety Health & the Environment
What is HELP’s Mission? “To bring together emergency responders, government regulators, scientists, consumers and experts from the automotive and energy industries to facilitate a safe and orderly transition to hydrogen and other alternative fuel sources.”
Who participates in HELP? North American state and provincial: law enforcement, fire service, emergency planners, health and environment Federal: US DOT, DOD, US EPA, CSB, NTSB Public representatives Industry: automakers, energy and fuel cell producers Insurance: FM Global, Geico Technical: NIST, SW Research, SP Swedish Testing and Research Standards/Codes: NFPA, ICC
What is HELP’s scope? Automobiles and Mass Transit Emergency response Hazardous materials transportation Filling stations Maintenance and repair Automotive parking and enclosed spaces Fixed facilities Human Behavior
What are HELP’s Goals? Hydrogen Highways safely built and operated, with zero incidents requiring emergency response. A significant overall improvement in passenger survivability of auto fires, so that the fire risks present in today’s autos are not carried forward. Reduction in the injuries and property damage from failures in the transport of HAZMAT First responders well trained to address hydrogen and alternative fuel incidents
HELP’s Scenario Based Approach Use current paradigms to gain resolution on actual risks Identify events that won’t happen in the lab Bridge between strong science and practicality and complexity of the real-world
Scenarios Multiple auto crash where victims require rescue because they are injured or trapped. Fires and explosions at a refueling station. Auto fires in a residential or commercial garage. Hybrid and compressed gases Fossil fuel Hydrogen 2005 2010 2015
What is HELP now producing? Standardized emergency responder safety training program delivered nationally Community education program Guidance to state and local land use, code enforcement and permitting officials Improved data on incidents involving hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles Guidance to automakers and energy producers on real world safety concerns Support to Hydrogen Highway projects
Want more information? http://www.nasfmhydrogen.com William Chernicoff william.chernicoff@dot.gov http://hydrogen.dot.gov Elizabeth Tucker etucker@firemarshals.org George Miller gmiller@cleansafe.org