Opening Session

Mr. George Burk

Mr. George Burk will present his moving story at this year’s general session. In May 1970, he was the sole survivor of 14 passengers in a military plane crash. The crew was en route to Spokane, Wash., to conduct an operational analysis. Ascending through 3000 feet, the aircraft experienced rapid decompression and massive structural failure, crashing in the hills near Sonoma, Calif. He suffered severe burns and multiple internal injuries and spent 90 days in intensive care and 18 months in the hospital. While in intensive care, he had two near-death experiences. He walked across the bridge and saw the door and the light. He knows we have guardian angels. He was medically retired from the Air Force in 1971. His awards include the Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Award for Outstanding Employee with a Disability, Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability, Department of the Navy Outstanding Employee with a Disability, Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Adrian College (Mich.) Alumni Achievement Award. This session will inspire you and help you realize the difference you make in the lives you save.

Survival in the Hot Zone, Part 1

Entry operations at hazmat incident are inherently dangerous. Incidents that require the use of a Level-A ensemble place even more dangers and constraints on personnel. Maneuverability, visibility, dexterity and communications are all compromised. There are many problems related to suit usage that may be encountered during entry operations. Are you as an entry team member aware of the various problem situations that may develop, and are you familiar with procedures to address them? This workshop will explore some of the many techniques used to self-rescue responders working in this environment; the session will be both classroom and practical application. Glen D. Rudner, Hazardous Materials Officer, Virginia Department of Emergency Management; Paul J. Cusic, Lieutenant, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore, MD; John N. Frost, Lieutenant Hazardous Materials Coordinator, The Woodland Fire Department, The Woodlands, TX; Ralph Royall; Joseph J. Leonard, Chair, Planning and Operations Subcommittee, Greater Houston Local Emergency Planning Committee, Friendswood, TX; Justin Royall, Driver Operator/EMT/Hazardous Materials Technician, The Woodlands Fire Dept, Highlands, TX; R.W. “Bob” Royall, Chief of Emergency Operations, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, Crosby, TX; Richard J. Sarudy, Hazardous Materials Coordinator, Baltimore City Fire Department, White Hall, MD; Brian Wagner, Master Firefighter, National Institutes of Health Division of Fire and Rescue Services, Bethesda, MD

Survival in the Hot Zone, Part 2

Training Demo

Interview with Kevin Good

Northeast Account Manager, Smiths Detection Emergency Response

Interview with Ken from Smith Detection Emergency Response

Interview with Charles "Charlie" J. Wright

Interview with Charles "Charlie" J. Wright, manager of hazardous material training for the Union Pacific Railway, who received the IAFC Hazmat Committee's John Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award on May 26, 2009, during the International Hazardous Materials Response Conference (Hunt Valley, Maryland, May 27-31, 2009).

Interview with Vin from RSDecon

Interview with Perry Beaty

Flow Stop

Demo Flow Stop

Va Hazmat conference in October

Small Packages—Big Problems?

Many more hazmat incidents occur in small containers than in bulk storage or transportation-containment vessels. In the absence of a label, hazmat responders can get a general idea of what is in a container (or at least the hazards) based on the material of construction, shape, safety devices and other attachments. This session will present different forms of chemical packaging, the safety devices that may be found on them and how to handle small packaging emergencies. Catherine Blair, BS, CEM, Emergency Management Coordinator, City of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON; Rem Gaade, Chief of Special Operations (Ret.), Toronto Fire Department, Oakville, ON

Recognizing and Responding to Commercial Explosives Incidents (It Doesn’t Have to Go Boom)

Commercial explosives have changed the face of the world and helped in tremendous progress, but for many responders, they still remain a source of confusion and misinformation. The ERG says to work “UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.” Who is that? In this session, you’ll learn how to recognize commercial explosives. You’ll also learn commonsense actions to make a scene safer and when it’s truly time to “get out of Dodge.” Albert M. Valerioti, Director of Training, (Ret.), Waterbury Fire Department, Waterbury, CT; Robert J. Bradley, Battalion Chief, Middletown Fire Department, Cromwell, CT

Interview with Christy Munding

New Business Development

Interview with Dan Currie

Regional Outreach Cooorinator

Tank-Car Tank-Damage Assessment

This program will discuss the critical task of rail tank-car tank-damage assessment in emergencies. Topics include types of damage, factors affecting severity and interpreting the damage found. A number of significant emergencies will be addressed during the program. Charles J. Wright, Manager, Hazardous Material Training, Union Pacific Railroad

Demo with Richard Bizzari, Hazardous Materials Business Manager, Foster-Miller

Interview with Jennifer Hemingway, Product Manager, Coastal Environment Systems, Inc.

Interview with Richard Bizzari, Hazardous Materials Business Manager, Foster-Miller