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TRANSCAER® recently launched a 27-state training tour to provide education and training sessions on emergency response techniques involving anhydrous ammonia.

Sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, Association of American Railroads, CHEMTREC®, The Chlorine Institute Inc., The Fertilizer Institute, National Tank Truck Carriers Inc., Renewable Fuels Association and National Association of Chemical Distributors, TRANSCAER — or Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response — is a voluntary, nationwide outreach program that aims to help communities prepare for and respond to hazardous material transportation incidents.

Because anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous substance, and is used and stored under high pressure, people who work with the chemical must be properly trained on specific handling procedures, according to TRANSCAER officials.

The training tour will focus on a number of safety topics, including ammonia properties, what steps need to be taken to ensure ammonia is transported safely (including via rail cars), hands-on equipment training exercises and emergency response practices. The tour is targeted at emergency responders, ammonia industry personnel, emergency management officials, public safety representatives, law enforcement officers and others involved in anhydrous ammonia transportation.

“Since anhydrous ammonia plays a large part in the agricultural, manufacturing, industrial, commercial and transportation industries, emergency responders need the appropriate knowledge and skills to ensure protection of public health and the environment in the case of an accidental release incident,” said Rollie Shook, chairman of the National TRANSCAER Task Group and leader of emergency services and security for Dow Chemical Co., in a prepared statement.