Updated September 29, 2015
Where is the Emergency Response Guidebook in your ambulance, rescue vehicle, fire truck or personal scene response vehicle? The Department of Transportation’s stated goal is to make sure there is an ERG in every emergency response vehicle.
Before you do anything, go out to your vehicle and make sure you have the most up-to-date copy of the ERG. If you need more free copies, contact your state coordinator.
How do you deliver ERG training to EMT students and new members? The U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has an excellent video available that you can view online or download. The video is designed for new emergency responders that are unfamiliar with the ERG. However, I have received numerous classroom lectures and refreshers on the ERG, and even I have learned several new things from watching this video.
Since 2012 the ERG has been available as a smartphone app. Here are ideas for training to use the ERG app.
Remember that any ERG training program should include hands-on opportunities to look up information in the ERG and discuss how it applies to different scenarios described by the trainer.
Visit the U.S. DOT PHMSA website to download a PDF of the ERG. There are also versions available for PDAs and in Spanish.
An updated ERG will be released in 2016.
