Emergency Film Group's New Training Program for Commercial Explosive Incidents

The Emergency Film Group production team recently traveled to Texas and Alabama to film location shots for a project for the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME). According to its website, the IME “develops recommendations and guidelines for all facets of explosives operations from manufacture to use and disposal. These recommendations and guidelines are produced as Safety Library Publications and promoted throughout the industry and to regulating agencies.”

The film, Responding to Highway Incidents Involving Commercial Explosives, will provide training for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, truck drivers, industry personnel, and others who may need to respond to an incident involving commercial explosives. Commercial explosives play an important role in today’s world and are utilized in mining, construction and in the petrochemical industry.

Over seven billion pounds of commercial explosives are manufactured and used every year in the United States. Most of these explosives must be transported over the highway. The IME and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have established rigorous and comprehensive safety practices to help prevent accidents.

One of the scenarios highlighted in the film involves guidelines and procedures emergency responders should follow when a truck transporting commercials explosives is involved in a vehicle accident. EFG had the pleasure of working with the Fort Worth Fire Department. Members of the department, as well as members of the Fort Worth Police Department, participated in the filming. Several local actors also played the roles of ‘victims’ and ‘bystanders’. A great job by everyone involved.

All of Emergency Film Group’s programs are created with the assistance of leaders in emergency response training. This technical committee for this program included experts from The Austin Powder Co., Core Labs, North America Orica Mining Services, Nelson Brothers Inc., Halliburton, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Eastern Kentucky University.