Emergency Response Guidebooks Available

June 2, 2008

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook. The book was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Mexican Government for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of an incident involving a hazardous material.

The Guidebook will aid first responders in quickly identifying the specific material(s) involved, and in protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response. The Emergency Response Guidebook is updated every three to four years to accommodate new products and technology, with the next edition scheduled for publication in 2012.

The Department of Transportation hopes to place a Guidebook in every emergency service vehicle – from police cars to ambulances to fire trucks -- nationwide. The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) serves as the state coordinator/distributor for these books. Copies are made available free of charge to public emergency responders through their county Emergency Management Agency starting the first week of June.

Please contact your county EMA office for more details or to arrange for your copy. For more information or to download either a PDF or electronic searchable copy of the 2008 Guidebook please go to: http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/gydebook.htm

Contact:

Robert Gardner
(207) 624-4440

MAINE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Emergency Response Guidebooks Available

June 2, 2008

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