ALLIANCE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROFESSIONALSTM SIMULATES CHEMICAL SPILL TO PREPARE EMERGENCY FIRST-RESPONDERS AND FEATURES ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS AT 2011 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Austin, Texas – (Aug. 15, 2011) – The Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), the only U.S. organization devoted to the professional advancement of the hazardous materials management field, will host its 2011 National Conference in Austin, Texas from Aug. 28-31. Highlights include an emergency response scenario staged on the University of Texas campus simulating a chemical spill into Waller Creek; a keynote address from former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency appointed by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; and a presentation from a leader of the International Space Station.
AHMP’s annual conference brings approximately 800 of the nation’s leading experts of environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) management together to network, showcase new products and services and learn about policy and industry trends through real- world, interactive scenarios and seminars with world-renowned experts.
“This year, not only do we get to learn from distinguished veterans in the field, we also get to interact with and mentor local students – our future colleagues,” said Cedric Calhoun, executive director, AHMP. “Through our emergency response scenario, community service project, featured speakers and networking opportunities, our professionals will leave with invaluable training and professional education.”
Emergency Response Scenario Prepares First-Responders
AHMP attendees will put their knowledge to the test during a live, real-time Emergency Response Scenario at the University of Texas. Similar to the recent oil spill in the Yellowstone River in Montana, the simulation will feature a chemical spill in a large, crucial body of water. With more than 800,000 shipments of hazardous materials in the U.S. each day, the chances of a materials consignment vehicle overturning and leaking dangerous chemicals into a body of water is great. The full-scale demonstration of resources and equipment used by first- responders will take place at Waller Creek on the campus of the University of Texas.
Environmental Experts Share Knowledge/History
Kicking off this year’s conference is keynote speaker Terry Tamminen , former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency appointed by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and founder of Seventh Generation Advisors, a company that helps states and world governments adopt clean energy and sustainability polices based on California’s successes. Tamminen is an author, lecturer and strategist on energy and the environment and was ranked No. 1 on The Guardian’s list of “Top 50 People Who Can Save the Planet.” Tamminen is considered an expert on low carbon products that save money and preserve resources for future generations.
Following the keynote address, Stephen Laughlin, CHMM , will share his experiences as a hazardous materials responder and certified environmental trainer with more than 20 years of experience in the EHS&S industry. Laughlin has conducted training programs in the areas of OSHA, EPA, DOT, CBRNE-Bioterrorism and served as a coordinator for field service activities such as emergency response, tank cleaning and removal, decontamination of process lines and large remedial projects.
Internationally-renowned motivational speaker, distinguished lecturer of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and noted futuristic and technological historian, Jack Bacon, PhD , will close the conference. Bacon currently manages the construction and operation of the International Space Station, after being the U.S. lead systems integrator of the central bridge and adapter between all U.S. and Russian station technologies.
Community Impact The 2011 Student Program offers local students the opportunity to network with EHS&S professionals attending the conference. During a community service project and featured sessions, students will participate in interactive training sessions and gain real-life, “on-the-job” guidance.
This year, AHMP will launch the first annual Community Service Project. Through a partnership with the Montopolis Tributary Trail Association, AHMP professionals will work with local college students to remove trash and invasive species and test the soil quality of the Montopolis Greenbelt in Austin.
The seminars and exhibitions at the AHMP 2011 National Conference, co-supported by CleanHarbors® Environmental Services, will be held at the Hilton Austin. Additional sponsors include Shaw Group, Veolia ES Technical Solutions, Zephyr/HazMat Academy, Institute of Hazardous Materials Management and Weston Solutions. For more information about AHMP and the AHMP 2011 National Conference, visit www.ahmpnet.org.
About the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals
The Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) is a professional association with a membership of nearly 3,600 of the nation’s leading experts in environmental, health, safety and security management. AHMP is the only national organization devoted to the professional advancement of the hazardous materials management field.
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