(June 13, 2013) WASHINGTON — The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) will co-host a free Ethanol Safety Seminar June 18 & 19 at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is limited to the first 100 people per session. Lunch will be provided. Certificates of completion will be awarded to attendees at the completion of the course.

This course was developed to give first responders, hazmat teams, and safety personnel an in-depth look at proper training techniques needed when responding to an ethanol-related emergency. A majority of this training is based on the “Complete Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response,” a training package created by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) that has been distributed throughout the United States and to several countries worldwide.

“It is crucial that those responsible for the protection of their community are well informed on ethanol fuel safety and prepared to respond to an emergency,” said Kristy Moore, RFA’s vice president of technical services. “We are more than happy to provide a refresher course to first responders and safety teams with this extremely valuable information.”

The Ethanol Safety Seminar focuses on numerous important areas of ethanol safety including an introduction to ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels, chemical and physical characteristics of ethanol and hydrocarbon fuels, transportation and transfer of ethanol-blended fuels, storage and dispensing locations, firefighting foam principles and ethanol-blended fuel, health and safety considerations for ethanol-blended fuel emergencies and tank farm and bulk storage fire incidents.

To register for this seminar, go to www.rfa.traincaster.com.

The RFA will be co-hosting Ethanol Safety Seminars across the country throughout 2013. Locations of an upcoming state-wide tour of California include Sacramento July 8 & 9, Oakland July 10 & 11, Modesto July 12 & 13, Bakersfield July 15 & 16, Los Angeles July 17-20, and San Diego July 22 & 23.

For more information on ethanol emergency response, visit the EERC website at www.EthanolResponse.com.

About the Renewable Fuels Association
The Renewable Fuels Association is the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry. Its mission is to advance the development, production, and use of ethanol fuel by strengthening America’s ethanol industry and raising awareness about the benefits of renewable fuels. RFA’s members are working to help America become cleaner, safer, more energy independent and economically secure. For more information, visit www.EthanolRFA.org.

About Portland & Western Railroad
The Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) is a 520-mile short line freight railroad that interchanges with the Albany & Eastern Railroad, BNSF Railway, Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Coos Bay Rail Link, Hampton Railway, Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, and Union Pacific Railroad. Commodities transported include aggregates, brick and cement, chemicals, construction and demolition debris, food and feed products, forest products, metallic ores and minerals, and steel and scrap. The PNWR was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 1995. Visit www.gwrr.com.