MA Chemical Safety and Climate Change Preparedness Training
MRPC was awarded a grant from the MA Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sponsor workshops designed to educate municipal officials, community leaders, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and businesses about the toxic chemicals stored, used and transported through their communities.
MRPC collaborated with OTA, EPA, New England Consortium, and ESIS Health, Safety and Environmental to develop chemical safety trainings and pollution prevention assessment tools that can be used and adopted in future climate change preparedness planning. The goal is to ensure our region's communities are more capable of addressing climate change-related disasters by providing information and thoughtful preparation needed for targeted planning.
MRPC and OTA hosted trainings for local authorities and vulnerable facilities to help raise awareness on the issue and as part of their emergency preparedness plans. The trainings built models for incorporating toxics use reduction into community and regional emergency preparedness and climate resiliency planning and supply toxics users with the tools they need to prevent industrial accidents.
The first training was held on September 28, 2017 at the Devens Eco-Effficiency Center for municipal Fire Departments, Emergency Response personnel and Emergency Management Directors, as well as other municipal departments who are chemical users. Presentations were made by OTA, EPA and ESIS.
The second training was held on April 26, 2018 at the North Central Career Center in Leominster for businesses in our region who are chemical users. Emergency response plans, chemical incidents and resources for businesss were presented by OTA, ESIS, New England Consortium and the MA Department of Industrial Accidents. To view the presentations and selected handouts, click below:
Preparing for Natural Disasters
Department of Industrial Accidents Training Grant Program
NJ Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Example
NJ Quick Response Sheet Example
Hazardous Materials Screening Tool
Emergency Plan Summary Template