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Ethanol Training & Emergency Response

Online Training

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) created an ethanol emergency safety training course. Attendees taking this training course will receive in-depth information on proper training techniques that emergency responders and hazmat personnel need to effectively respond to an ethanol-related emergency.

I. An Introduction to Ethanol Training

Gain knowledge related to ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels. Also, learn about ethanol chemical and physical properties, transportation modes, transfer operations, and basics of foam, suggested responder tactics and strategies, and environmental issues.

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II. Ethanol and Ethanol-Blended Fuels

Understand the use and growth of ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels in the United States.

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III. Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Fuels

IV. Transportation and Transfer

Understand how ethanol-blended fuels are transported and transferred, as well as where the most likely points for error in these actions typically exist.

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V. Storage and Dispensing Locations

Understand the common locations for storage and dispensing of ethanol-blended fuels.

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VI. Fire Fighting Foam Principles

Learn about the firefighting strategies and foam-use tactics for controlling and fighting fires associated with ethanol-blended fuels.

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VII. General Health and Safety Considerations

Learn about the potential spill control methods, proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and detection and monitoring devices for responding to ethanol-blended fuel incidents.

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VIII. Storage and Pre-Planning Considerations

Understand the important of pre-planning considerations and how it relates fighting or containing fires at tank farms and bulk storage facilities.

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IX. Emergency Response Considerations

It’s important for emergency responders to understand what ethanol is and the different challenges that ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels pose to them. Traditional methods of fighting gasoline fires are not effective in combating fires involving ethanol or ethanol-blended fuels. It’s essential for responders to become familiar with the use, transport and storage, and extinguishment of ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel fires.

X. Responding to Ethanol Incidents

Learn how to best fight an ethanol or ethanol-blended fuel fire.

XI. Ethanol Tank Car Walkaround

Get an overview of tank car features including reporting marks, bottom outlet valves, “A” end and “B” end of a tank car, placarding; protective housings, valves, induction line (liquid line), and manway. Learn the difference between non-jacketed (bare skin) and jacketed tank cars.

XII. Tank Car Loading and Unloading