The Hazmat Files

Thermal Runaway: Fires, Emissions, and the Challenges for Responders

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and e-bikes to electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems, but when these batteries fail, the result

Leadership, Legacy, and the Future: Women Shaping the Fire Service

The fire service is evolving, and women are helping shape its future at every level, from the station floor to executive leadership, emergency management, hazardous mater

Behind Every Call: More Than an Emergency Number

When responders call CHEMTREC, they aren't reaching a call center, they're connecting with an experienced Emergency Operations Center team that's available 24 hours a day

From Detection to Decision: Air Monitoring and ERPG Values

During a hazardous materials incident, air monitoring is a critical tool for protecting responders, the public, and the environment. But collecting readings is only the f

When Land Meets Sea: Maritime Incidents and What Land-Based Responders Need to Know

This episode of The Hazmat Files explores the unique challenges of maritime incidents and what land-based responders need to know when emergencies occur aboard vessels. J

Hydrogen in the Field: Risks, Response, and Responder Safety

In this episode of The Hazmat Files, we explores the evolving risks and response considerations associated with hydrogen as its use expands across transportation, energy,

Toxic by Inhalation: What Responders Need to Know

This episode of The Hazmat Files tackles the evolving challenges of toxic and poison inhalation hazards (TIH/PIH) for emergency responders. Host Erica Fischer and chemica

Beyond the Gate: First Responder Skills for Chemical Facility Incidents

This episode of The Hazmat Files explores the critical skills and strategies first responders need when facing chemical facility incidents. Seasoned emergency response le

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires– Prevention, Response, Remediation

In this episode of The Hazmat Files, we explore the growing threat of lithium-ion battery fires—power sources behind everyday technology that can turn volatile when they

The Current State of Hazmat: Risks, Readiness, and What's Next

In this timely episode of The Hazmat Files, we examine the shifting landscape of hazardous materials response—from emerging chemical threats to the evolving standards of

CSX & Community Recovery: A Standard of Care Conversation

In this episode of The Hazmat Files, CSX's Michael Scully offers a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the company's Standard of Care— a comprehensive approach to rail saf

Reactive by Nature: Understanding Monomers and Polymerization for First Responders

In this eye-opening episode of The Hazmat Files, we dive into the volatile world of monomers and polymerization—chemical processes that can escalate quickly in emergency

Emerging Threats from Illicit Narcotics and Clandestine Labs

In this captivating episode of The Hazmat Files, we uncover the hidden dangers of illicit and clandestine labs—from lethal fentanyl to the explosive volatility of meth pr

Seconds from Disaster: The Ammonium Nitrate Fire That Didn't Explode

In this gripping episode of The Hazmat Files, firefighters Tyler Hoke and Jason Gore reflect on their involvement in the 2022 ammonium nitrate fire in Winston-Salem, NC—a

Learning from the Past, Securing the Future

In this powerful episode of The Hazmat Files, seasoned railroad hazmat leaders Clay, Lane, and Brian share firsthand lessons from major incidents, close calls, and key de

On Track with Hazmat: Railroads Moving Safety Forward

We will have two Class 1 Railroad (BNSF & UP) hazardous materials managers join us for a discussion that will focus on the integration of safety protocols across major ra

Responding to the Unknown: Global HazMat Incidents

We'll dive into the complexities of global chemical incidents, exploring the dangers faced by carriers, emergency responders, and the chemical industry when hazardous mat

Inside the Fenceline: Responding to Incidents at Chemical Facilities

We'll tackle the unique challenges and response strategies for dealing with hazmat emergencies within chemical facilities, focusing on on-site incident management and saf

From Reaction to Action: Leading Emergency Preparedness in the Chemical Sector

Special Guest: Matt Paynter, Emergency Response and Preparedness Manager, Nutrien  We'll delve into proactive emergency preparedness strategies within the chemical indu

Paramedicine at the Intersection of Hazmat and EMS

Special Guest: Adam Weiss, is a current Nationally Registeres Paramedic with over 30 years of advanced field medical experience both in country and abroad. He serves as t