The 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2008) was prepared by the staff of Transport Canada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transport of Mexico with the assistance of many interested parties from government and industry including the collaboration of CIQUIME of Argentina. The principal authors of the ERG are Transport Canada’s Michel Cloutier and U.S. DOT’s George Cushmac. Printing and publication services are provided through U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training.

ERG2008 is based on earlier Transport Canada, U.S. DOT, and Secretariat of Communications and Transport emergency response guidebooks. ERG2008 is published in three languages: English, French and Spanish. The Emergency Response Guidebook has been translated and printed in other languages, including Chinese, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish and Thai.

We encourage countries that wish to participate in future editions of the Guidebook to provide their emergency response center information for inclusion. Please contact any of the websites or telephone numbers in the paragraph below.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS GUIDEBOOK

The primary objective is to place one copy of the ERG2008 in each publicly owned emergency service vehicle through distribution to Federal, state, provincial and local public safety authorities. The distribution of this guidebook is being accomplished through the voluntary cooperation of a network of key agencies. Emergency service organizations that have not yet received copies of ERG2008 should contact the respective distribution center in their country, state or province. In the U.S., information about the distribution center for your location may be obtained from the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety web site at http://hazmat.dot.gov/ or call 202-366-4900. In Canada, contact CANUTEC at 613-992-4624 or via the web site at http://www.canutec.gc.ca/ for information. In Mexico, call SCT at 52-55-5684-1275 or 684-0188 or via email at iflores@sct.gob.mx. In Argentina, call CIQUIME at 011-4613-1100, or via the web site at http://www.ciquime.org.ar/, or via email at gre2008@ciquime.org.ar

REPRODUCTION and RESALE

Copies of this document which are provided free of charge to fire, police and other emergency services may not be resold. ERG2008 (PHH50-ERG2008) may be reproduced without further permission subject to the following:

The names and the seals of the participating governments may not be reproduced on a copy of this document unless that copy accurately reproduces the entire content (text, format, and coloration) of this document without modification. In addition, the publisher's full name and address must be displayed on the outside back cover of each copy, replacing the wording placed on the center of the back cover.

Constructive comments concerning ERG2008 are solicited; in particular, comments concerning its use in handling incidents involving dangerous goods. Comments should be addressed to:

In Canada:

Director, CANUTEC
Transport Dangerous Goods
Transport Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0N5

Phone: 613-992-4624 (information)
Fax: 613-954-5101
Email: canutec@tc.gc.ca

In the U.S.:

U. S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training (PHH-50)
Washington, DC 20590-0001

Phone: 202-366-4900
Fax: 202-366-7342
Email: ERG2008@dot.gov

In Mexico:

Secretariat for Communications and Transport
Land Transport Directorate
Hazardous Materials and Wastes Directorate
Calz. de las Bombas No. 411-9 piso
Col. San Bartolo Coapa
Coyoacan 04800, D.F.
Mexico

Phone and Fax: +52-55-5684-1275 and 684-0188

In Argentina:

Chemistry Information Center for Emergencies (CIQUIME)
Juan Bautista Alberdi 2986
C1406GSS Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel. +54-11-4613-1100 Fax (011) 4613-3707
Email: gre2008@ciquime.org.ar