Ottawa-A training and awareness campaign directed at Canada’s first responders has been created by the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council (FSSC) to support the reclassification of anhydrous ammonia. The awareness program was developed in consultation with first responder partners including the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Transport Canada, and the agricultural retail community. The new program, consisting of a training DVD and printed materials, will be distributed to some 3,000 first responders across Canada in early 2009. “Our priority is public safety and the preparedness of first responders if they encounter an incident involving anhydrous ammonia in their community. The training and awareness campaign is one of the ways we inform front-line responders about the importance of recognizing anhydrous ammonia and the action required to protect themselves and the community in the event of a spill.” said Dave Finlayson, FSSC executive director. “We appreciate the support of our first responder partners in developing this program and in communicating this important message.” In Canada, anhydrous ammonia was reclassified under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Now classified as a Class 2.3 toxic gas, anhydrous ammonia will be identified with a new, distinctive black and white placard featuring a cylinder and product number 1005, which will immediately identify anhydrous ammonia as a toxic gas that requires protective measures. “We want first responders to understand that anhydrous ammonia is a commonly used fertilizer in Canada and how to protect themselves and the public in the event of a spill or leak,” said Don Warden, executive director of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The FSSC was launched in 2003 under the leadership of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI). The FSSC promotes the safe and secure manufacturing, handling, storage, transportation, and application of commercial fertilizers thereby protecting employees, transportation workers, first responders, farmers, and the general public from risk due to accidental release, environmental emergency, or criminal misuse of fertilizer products. Program materials will be available through the FSSC web site at or can be requested by calling the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council at 613-786-3031. For more information, see www.fssc.ca.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain