Ethanol emergency response training will be offered in eight Missouri and Illinois cities through May 14. This training group is offered by Transporattion Community Awareness and Emergency Response, a partnership of chemical and transportation industries that help communities with hazardous materials transportation and emergency preparedness.

Since ethanol is a prevalent fuel in the Midwest, first responders, including EPA on-scene coordinators, need to be prepared to respond to ethanol releases and fires. Fires involving ethanol or ethanol gasoline mixtures pose different hazards than traditional petroleum-based fires. Ethanol is water soluble and can burn with a flame so clear that it can be difficult to see.

The training will be offered in the cities of Rolla, Springfield, Carrollton, St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Laddonia, and Carthage in Missouri, and Sauget, Ill.

Ten EPA Region 7 on-scene coordinators will assist with the training sessions and the Mobile Command Post will be deployed to most of the training sites. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and local fire and police departments are also participating. Several railroad companies are providing classroom instruction and hands-on training with railcars, including ethanol tank cars.

Registration details and logistical information about the eight training sessions can be obtained at www.transcaer.com/events.aspx.