hazardous waste business plan california

Hazardous Materials Business Plan

CalEPA oversees the statewide implementation of the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) program, which aims to prevent or minimize harm to public health and safety and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following information is provided to assist with understanding the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) program. This information is not to be relied upon as legal advice or interpretation by CalEPA. It does not create any rights, obligations, or establish any new standards. Local governments may have requirements that are more stringent than state and should be contacted for further information.

• What Is a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)?

What Is a Participating Agency (PA)?

What is a hazardous material, what is a compressed gas, what does “handle” mean, what does “handler” mean, what is defined as a business, what is an agricultural handler.

• What Is a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)?
• What Is Required in an HMBP?

How Often Am I Required to Update the HMBP?

What is a unified program agency (upa).

An UPA is the CUPA, or its PA to the extent each PA has been designated by the CUPA, pursuant to a written agreement, to implement or enforce a particular unified program element.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(3)

What Is a Certified Unified Program Agency?

A CUPA is the agency certified by the Secretary of CalEPA to implement the unified program.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(e)(1)

A PA is an agency that has a written agreement with the CUPA and is approved by the Secretary of CalEPA to implement or enforce one or more of the unified program elements.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(e)(2)

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A hazardous material is defined as any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. A material can be considered hazardous if its flammable, ignitable, corrosive, or toxic. A hazardous material includes, but are not limited to, any substances which:

• Require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) [California Labor Code 6360].
• A substance listed pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• A substance listed in Section 339 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
• Listed as a radioactive material (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Appendix B).
• A hazardous waste (California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.5).

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(n)(1)

A compressed gas is a material, or mixture of materials, that meets either of the following:

• The definition of compressed gas or cryogenic fluid found in the California Fire Code.
• Compressed gas that is regulated pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 5 of the Labor Code.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(i)

“Handle” means all of the following:

To use, generate, process, produce, package, treat, store, emit, discharge, or dispose of a hazardous material in any fashion.

The term, “store” does not include the storage of hazardous materials incidental to transportation, as described in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with regard to the inventory requirements of Section 25506.

The use or potential use of a quantity of hazardous material by the connection of a marine vessel, tank vehicle, tank car, or container to a system or process for any purpose.

The use or potential use does not include the immediate transfer to or from an approved atmospheric tank or approved portable tank that is regulated as loading or unloading incidental to transportation by Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(l)

A handler is a business that handles a hazardous material.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(m)

A “Business” means all of the following:

(1) An employer, self-employed individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, corporation, partnership, limited liability partnership or company, or other business entity.

(2) A business organized for profit and a nonprofit business.

(3) The federal government, to the extent authorized by law.

(4) An agency, department, office, board, commission, or bureau of state government, including, but not limited to, the campuses of the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California.

(5) An agency, department, office, board, commission, or bureau of a city, county, or district.

(6) A handler that operates or owns a unified program facility.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(c)

An agricultural handler is a business operating a farm for purposes of cultivating the soil or raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity that is subject to the exemption specified in HSC 6.95 Section 25507.1.

HSC 6.95 Section 25501(a)

What is a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)?

A HMBP is a plan that is used to protect public health and safety and the environment. A HMBP also meets the requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) that requires emergency planning and reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals for federal, state, and local government, tribes, and industry.

The HMBP provides local Unified Program Agencies (UPAs), local fire agencies, and the public with information on hazardous materials handled at businesses in order to prevent or mitigate the damage to the health and safety of persons and the environment from a release or threatened release of hazardous materials into the workplace and environment.

The HMBP is required to be established and implemented by a business that handles a hazardous material at or above a specified threshold. The business must electronically file the HMBP to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) .

Information from HMBPs is used to assist with emergency responses to a release or threatened release of a hazardous material within a city of a county.

HSC 6.95 Section 25500

19 CCR Sections 2650

What is Required in an HMBP?

An HMBP must contain detailed information that includes all of the following:

  Facility Information

• Business activities conducted at the facility subject to CUPA program requirements.
• Information about the owner and/or operator.

19 CCR Section 2652(a)(1)

  Hazardous Materials Inventory

• A list of all reportable hazardous materials handled at the facility at any one time of the reporting year. To determine the reportable threshold or any hazardous material reporting exemptions, refer to HSC 6.95 Section 25507 .

Please refer to the Unified Program Regulator Directory to search for and view location/contact information for your local CUPA to determine if that jurisdiction has more stringent reporting requirements.

HSC 6.95 Section 25505(a)(1)

19 CCR Section 2652(a)(2)

A site map must be developed to assist emergency responders in the event of a hazardous materials release. The site map must contain the following:

• North orientation;
• Loading areas;
• Internal roads;
• Adjacent streets;
• Storm and sewer drains;
• Access and exit points;
• Emergency shutoffs;
• Evacuation staging areas;
• Hazardous material handling and storage areas;
• Emergency response equipment; and
• Additional map requirements the governing body of the unified program agency finds necessary.

HSC 6.95 Section 25505(2)

19 CCR Sections 2652(a)(3)

  Emergency Response Plans and Procedures

The HMBP must include emergency response plans and procedures in the event of a reportable release or threatened release of a hazardous material, and include, at minimum, the following:

• Immediate notification contacts to the appropriate local emergency response personnel and to the unified program agency and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
• Procedures for the mitigation of a release or threatened release to minimize any potential harm or damage to persons, property, or the environment.
• Evacuation plans and procedures, including immediate notice, for the business site.

Consolidated Emergency Response/Contingency Plan Template

This optional template may be used to satisfy requirements that Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBP) contain emergency response plans, procedures, and employee training in the event of a reportable/threatened hazardous material release.

HSC Section 6.95 Section 25505(a)(3)

19 CCR Section 2658

  Employee Training Program

A HMBP must also include a training program, for all employees, that includes training in safety procedures in the event of a release or threatened release of a hazardous material. The program can be reasonable and appropriate for the size of the business and the nature of the hazardous materials handled. Additionally, the program shall take into consideration the responsibilities of the employees to be trained and shall, at minimum, include:

• Methods for safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Procedures for coordination with local emergency response organizations.
• Use of emergency response equipment and supplies under the control of the handler.
• Familiarity with the emergency response plan and procedures.

The business plan shall include provisions for ensuring that appropriate personnel receive initial and refresher training. The training must be documented electronically or by hard copy and shall be made available for a minimum of three years.

HSC 6.95 Section 25505(a)(4)

19 CCR Section 2659

An HMBP is required to be updated within 30 days of any of the following changes:

• 100% Increase of a Previously Disclosed Hazardous Material: A 100 percent or more increase in the quantity of a previously disclosed material.  
• Previously Undisclosed Hazardous Material: Any handling of a previously undisclosed hazardous material subject to the inventory requirements of this article.  
• Change of Business Information: Change of business or facility address, changed of business ownership, or change of business name.  
• Substantial change in handler’s operation: A substantial change in the handler’s operations occurs that requires modification to any portion of the business plan.

“Substantial change” means any change in a facility that would inhibit immediate response during an emergency by either site personnel or emergency response personnel, change the operational knowledge of the facility, or impede implementation of the business plan.

HSC 6.95 Section 25508.1

Legal Authority

California State Law: California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Article 1, Sections 25500 to 25519

California State Regulations: California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 4, Sections 2620 to 2671

If you have any questions regarding the HMBP program, please contact the program at [email protected] .

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Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)

California Health & Safety Code , Division 20, Chapter 6.95

Effective January 1, 2013 all unified program facilities are required to electronically submit their facility information through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) . This includes information related to your:

• Unified Program Facility Permit (UPFP)
• Hazardous Materials Business Plan  (HMBP)
• Hazardous Waste Onsite Treatment
• Hazardous Waste Tank Closures
• Remote Waste Consolidation
• Recyclable Materials Reports
• Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
• Aboveground petroleum storage over 1,320 gallons (APSA/SPCC)

IMPORTANT. Please Read: Changes in the law might affect your facility and hazardous materials reporting. Click this link for more information.

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A Guide to California’s Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program

Introduction.

California is home to a diverse range of industries, many of which handle hazardous materials as part of their operations. Manufacturers may use hazardous chemicals as raw materials throughout their production processes or produce them, construction companies use hazardous solvents, and oil and gas companies involved in extraction or refining of oil and gas use a variety of regulated hazardous chemicals such as diesel fuel. These use cases, as well as others within the agriculture, automotive, and healthcare industries among others are all around us, helping to provide us the creature comforts we’ve come to appreciate. 

Ensuring the safety of these operations and the well-being of the surrounding communities is of paramount importance to California’s governing bodies, and the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Program is a key initiative designed to achieve this goal. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of California’s HMBP Program including: how to comply, common challenges during compliance, and potential exemptions.

Understanding California’s Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program

The Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Program is a state-mandated program that aims to protect public health, safety, and the environment by ensuring that businesses handling hazardous materials in California have adequate emergency response and training plans in place. These plans outline how hazardous materials are stored, handled, and disposed of, in addition to providing crucial information to first responders in the event of an emergency, so that they can respond in the safest and most effective manner. 

The California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) serves as the central reporting portal for HMBPs, which allows businesses to electronically submit their HMBP information, ultimately delivering it to the relevant Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs).

The HMBP Program is implemented statewide in California, and compliance is enforced by the local CUPAs. Businesses located in different regions of the state will submit their HMBPs to the appropriate local CUPA, which will then review the plans and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with HMBP. In order to ensure compliance, organizations may consider implementing enterprise compliance software .

What are the steps to maintain compliance with California’s Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program?

There are several steps that businesses must follow to meet hmbp compliance requirements: .

• Identifying hazardous materials: The first step towards compliance is for businesses to identify and inventory all hazardous materials present at their facility.
• Developing an HMBP: Once a business has identified all hazardous materials on site, they must complete the HMBP that outlines business activities, facility information, hazardous materials inventory, site map, emergency response plan, and an employee training program.
• Submitting the HMBP to the local CUPA: Businesses must submit their HMBP to the appropriate local CUPA via the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) by the applicable due date.
• Facility inspections: Local CUPAs conduct regular inspections of facilities to verify HMBP compliance and ensure that businesses are adhering to safety standards, meaning that an organization must maintain ongoing compliance.
• Updating the HMBP: Dependent upon the facility’s operations, businesses must review and update their HMBP annually, once every three years (if the facility is not regulated under EPCRA or APSA), or whenever there are significant changes to their hazardous materials inventory or processes. These requirements can also change based on the CUPA’s discretion.
• Employee training: As part of HMBP compliance, businesses must provide ongoing training to employees responsible for handling hazardous materials or responding to emergencies.

While this list covers the requirements of the program, it is an exhaustive list of activities, as each individual requirement may necessitate many additional steps. Working with an expert to identify exactly what your business needs to comply is a great way to get started.

What are the challenges of complying with HMBP?

As you may have guessed, each of the above requirements can present many challenges to organizations, which are made up of many different functions and departments that may experience turnover, etc.

Some common challenges organizations face are:

• Keeping up with regulatory changes: The regulations governing hazardous materials are constantly evolving to address new risks and improve safety standards. Businesses must stay up-to-date with these changes to ensure ongoing compliance with HMBP requirements.
• Accurate identification and inventory management: Properly identifying and tracking hazardous materials can be a complex task, especially for businesses that handle a large variety of chemicals or experience frequent changes in inventory. Implementing enterprise software can help businesses maintain accurate records and comply with HMBP requirements.
• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive HMBP: Creating a plan that addresses all required elements, including facility information, an inventory of hazardous materials, a site map, an emergency response plan, and an ongoing employee training program, can be time-consuming and challenging. Businesses may need to invest in training or hire experienced professionals to ensure they maintain HMBP compliance.
• Ensuring employee training and awareness: Training employees on the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, as well as emergency response procedures, is essential for HMBP compliance. However, employee turnover, time constraints, and a lack of training resources can make it difficult for businesses to maintain a well-trained workforce.
• Navigating local variations: The implementation and enforcement of the HMBP Program can vary between local CUPAs, leading to differences in requirements and interpretations of the regulations. Businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions may find it challenging to navigate these variations and ensure compliance across all locations.

It’s critical to note that, regardless of how challenging the company’s situation, it doesn’t mean they’re exempt from complying with HMBP.

So, what can be done? To help overcome these challenges, organizations should consider the following:

• Designate a compliance officer or team responsible for staying up-to-date with regulatory changes and ensuring that the HMBP is revised accordingly.
• Implement software to accurately track hazardous materials and maintain up-to-date records.
• Invest in training or software to develop and maintain a comprehensive HMBP that addresses all required elements.
• Allocate resources for ongoing employee training and establish a system to track and document training completion.
• Consult with local CUPAs to understand any variations in requirements and ensure compliance across all locations.

Are there any exemptions to the Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program?

Certain businesses may be exempt from the HMBP requirements based on specific criteria. While this post includes a list of exemptions, you should always check with your local CUPA to confirm subjectability to regulations.

Some common reasons a facility may be exempt from complying with HMBP are:

• Small quantities of hazardous materials: Businesses that handle hazardous materials below specified threshold quantities may be exempt from HMBP requirements.
• Retail facilities: Retail facilities that primarily sell hazardous materials to the general public for personal, family, or household purposes may be exempt from HMBP requirements.
• Temporary storage: Businesses that temporarily store hazardous materials during transportation and do not store them at a facility for more than 30 days may be exempt from HMBP requirements.
• Household hazardous waste collection events: Facilities or events that collect household hazardous waste from the public for proper disposal or recycling may be exempt from HMBP requirements.

California’s Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program and the California HMBP re is a vital initiative designed to protect public health, safety, and the environment from the potential dangers posed by hazardous materials.

By understanding the program’s requirements, implementation, and compliance processes, businesses can effectively participate in the HMBP Program and contribute to the safety of their communities. Although there are some exemptions to the HMBP requirements, it is crucial for businesses to consult with their local CUPA to ensure they fully understand their obligations.

California’s HMBP Program serves as a comprehensive framework for businesses to safely manage hazardous materials and mitigate the associated risks. By adhering to the program’s guidelines, businesses not only fulfill their legal obligations but also promote a safer and more sustainable environment for all Californians. To learn how Encamp can help your organization maintain compliance with HMBP, drop us a line here .

Encamp Staff

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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BUSINESS PLAN

A Hazardous Material Business Plan (HMBP) is an electronic compilation of detailed information on the:

• Business activities
• Business owner/operator identification
• Hazardous materials inventory stored and/or generated
• Facility site map
• Emergency response/contingency plan for procedures in the event of a release or threatened release of a hazardous material/waste
• Employee training plan, which includes hazardous communications/SDS, annual training refresher courses, and safety procedures in the event of a release or threatened release of a hazardous material/waste, etc.

The intent of the HMBP is to provide basic information necessary for use by first responders in order to protect public health, safety, and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material/waste. The HMBP also satisfies the federal Tier II reporting requirements and the state Community Right-to-Know Act.  The material threshold for this program is 55 gallons of a liquid, 500 pounds of a solid, 200 cubic feet of a compressed gas, and/or the applicable state/federal threshold quantity for an extremely hazardous material.

CERS is a statewide, web-based system that supports regulated businesses with electronically reporting, collecting, and managing hazardous materials-related data. It is mandated by the California Health and Safety Code and AB 2286 that all California businesses required to report Unified Program data.

Step-By-Step User Guide

Conditions of Use

• CERS is designed for standard-sized screens using relatively current web browsing software (e.g. Internet Explorer 8+, Firefox 3.6+, current versions of Google Chrome or Safari)
• CERS is not designed to be effectively used on smaller displays (e.g. mobile phones, etc.)
• Your initial submittal at a minimum shall include: facility information, business activities, complete chemical inventory, site map, emergency response/contingency plan, and employee training plan. Do not submit sections individually; complete all sections prior to submitting unless updating a previous submittal
• CERS reports require relatively current PDF viewing software (Adobe Reader 8+)

Creating an Account

Visit  http://cers.calepa.ca.gov

• Select “Business Portal Sign In”
• View the “Watch Demo Video”
• Select “Create New Account”
• Fill out registration form and select “Create Account”
• You will then receive an automated email message to activate your account. If you do not receive one, check the spam or junk folder. Follow the instructions on the email to activate your account.

Adding a New Facility

Once the account has been activated, a user can add a new facility by selecting “ Add New Facility/Business ”

• Provide Address and Facility Name
• Select “Continue” after facility has been added to CERS
• Complete questions for Business Activities and select “Save”
• Fill out Business Owner/Operator Identification and select “Save”
• Do not submit  your Facility Information element until you are ready to also submit Facility Site Map, Hazardous Materials Inventory, Emergency Response/Contingency Plan, and Training Plan

Accessing an Existing Facility

If the facility already has a CERS ID number, select “Search Existing Business/Facility”.

• Add as specific information as possible (i.e. just CERS ID number or just number part of facility address, and select “Search”
• Once the facility has been found, select the green link on the right hand side of the screen that says “Request Access”
• Complete the questionnaire regarding phone number and title, select “Request Access”
• The Lead User of the business/facility must grant access to the user. Contact KCEHD if the lead user has left the business or is unsure of how to grant access.

Manage People/Users

Once access has been granted, an automated email will be sent to you and you will be able to sign in

• Select “My Business” tab then select “Manage Users”
• Select “Add Person”. Input email address; select “Continue”
• Input the person’s information; select “Continue”
• Do not select “Save” select “Initiate Invite”
• Lead Users- Can add, remove, and otherwise manage the CERS Business’ users and facilities
• Approvers – May view, edit, and submit facility reports to regulators
• Editors – May add/edit facility reports, but cannot submit reports to regulators
• Viewers- May only view facility reports (read only)
• Select “Save & Send Invitation”
• An email will be sent to the email address you input. The person must activate the link emailed to them before their account is active. Person must activate account within 30 days or the link will expire

A suggested Best Practice is to assign at least two Lead Users. Why? If you limit to one and that person becomes unavailable for any reason, the business will need to contact the local UPA or CalEPA for access permission.

Business Activites

All programs that apply the facility, must be selected “YES”

Note:  If “Hazardous Materials” is selected as “NO”, you will not have all of the proper elements to complete your business plan. Any item selected “YES” must have all components of that element complete before submitting. Items required for activities are as followed:

• Hazardous Materials: Complete inventory, site map, emergency response/contingency plan, and employee training plan
• UST Facility Operating Permit Application
• UST Tank Information/Monitoring Plan for each tank
• UST Monitoring Site Plan
• UST Certification of Financial Responsibility
• UST Response Plan
• UST Owner/Operator: Written Agreement
• UST Letter from Chief Financial Officer
• Owner Statement of Designated UST Operator Compliance
• Hazardous Waste Generator: Active and correct EPA ID number. No submittal elements
• Tiered Permitting (Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment): All forms are dependent on what treatment/quantity facility handles.
• Remote Waste Consolidation: Remote Waste Consolidation Site Annual Notification
• Hazardous Waste Closure/Removal: Closure Certificate
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection site: No submittal elements
• Excluded and/or Exempted Materials: Recyclable Materials Report Documentation
• Above Ground Petroleum Storage Act: Select “Stored at Facility” or “Exempt” and insert comment if regulated by USEPA or DOGGR.
• Regulated Substances: No submittal elements at this time

*Please note that in some instances Kern County UPA was not able to select “NO” prior to data seeding to CERS system. Several activities may be unchecked or incorrect for your facility. Under such instances, please edit and review all activities to ensure all correct elements are available.*

Business Owner/Operator Identification

All elements must be filled in with up-to-date and correct information. If the certification regarding Name/Title of Document Preparer/Signer is not completed, the submittal element may be “Not Accepted” by the Regulator.

Hazardous Materials Inventory

(Reporting thresholds: 55 gallons of a liquid, 500 pounds of a solid, 200 cubic feet of compressed gas, any amount of hazardous waste, and extremely hazardous materials based on the federal thresholds)

You may complete your Hazardous Materials Inventory by using the CERS chemical dictionary database, manually inputting the material, or uploading an Excel file. Facilities with small inventories are encouraged to manually enter chemical inventory through the use of the chemical library database.

Adding Chemical Inventory Manually

• Click on “Add Material”. Locate material and click on the most appropriate item in the results table, complete the corresponding form for each chemical in your inventory
• If the material is not found in the CERS Chemical Library, select “Unable to Find Material/Add New Chemical” to add your material to your inventory using SDS

*Reliable entries for waste items are not in the chemical library. A new material page will need to be created individually for each waste stream. All components must be completed

Uploading Inventory from Excel

• Select “Upload Inventory”
• The file size is limited to 500 inventory items
• If your file exceeds this limit, separate into groups of 200 chemicals, then use the “Replace/Append to Existing Inventory” function of the upload page to run the various functions.
• Copy and paste your data into the template.

The facility site map must be a document created by the user and uploaded into the respective section. Google maps are acceptable as long as they meet all requirements below:

• Site orientation (North, South, etc.)
• Date map was drawn
• Location of all buildings and other structures
• Parking lots and internal roads
• Hazardous materials/waste storage areas
• Storm drain, sanitary sewer drain inlets, dry wells
• All wells (water, monitoring of underground systems, etc.) if applicable
• Evacuation routes, emergency exits, and staging/meeting areas
• Adjacent property use
• Locations and names of adjacent streets and alleys
• Entrance and exit points/roads
• General purpose of each section/area within each building (e.g. “Office Area”, “Manufacturing Area”, etc.)
• Location of each hazardous materials/waste storage, dispensing, use, or handling area (e.g. individual underground tanks, above-ground tanks, storage rooms, etc.)
• Entrances to and exits from each building and hazardous materials/waste room/area
• Location of each utility emergency shut-off point (e.g. gas, water, electric)
• Location of each monitoring system control panel (e.g. underground tank monitoring, toxic gas monitoring, etc.)
• To upload a copy of the Site Map, locate and click the Site Map section under the Hazardous Materials Inventory Section. Click “Browse”, locate the PDF copy of your site map saved to your computer
• Select “Upload”
• Select “Save and Finish”

*Document must be uploaded. Any submittal that is selected “Stored on Site”, “Provided to Regulator”, or “Exempt” will be “Not Accepted” by the regulator.

Emergency Response and Employee Training Plan

You may use an existing Emergency Response Plan if all the corresponding information is current and complete.

Uploading a Copy of Emergency Response/Contingency Plan

• Locate your PDF copy by utilizing the “Browse” button in the Emergency Response/Contingency Plan section.
• Select “Save and Upload”

*Document must be uploaded. Submittals that select “Stored on Site”, “Provided to Regulator”, or “Exempt” will be rejected.*

Uploading a Copy of Employee Training Plan

• Locate your PDF copy by utilizing the “Browse” button in the Employee Training Plan section

*Document must be uploaded. Submittals that select “Stored on Site” or “Provided to Regulator” will be rejected. Facility must confirm with KCEHD that there are no employees before “Exempt” is selected.*

• Employee Training Plan

Acceptance Process

Once your facility’s information has been submitted to KCEHD, it will be placed in our queue for review to be “Accepted” or “Not Accepted.” Data will be “Accepted” by office staff, however “approval” will be granted at the time of inspection.

Responsibility for correct/incorrect data in CERS is given to each facility. KCEHD can't change any information. If incorrect data is submitted and “Not Accepted”, an automated email will be sent to the Lead Users for that Business/Facility and will be pending resubmittal with corrections.

USEFUL LINKS

• California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)
• CERS Business Guidance

• (888) 546-6511

California’s Hazardous Materials Business Plan Changes in Effect as of January 1

Posted on 1/23/2023 by Roger Marks

California Assembly Bill (AB) 2059 amended the state Health and Safety Code (HSC) requirements related to Hazardous Materials Business Plans. It was approved by the California legislature in September and took effect on January 1, 2023,  

Under the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Program, businesses in California that handle certain quantities of hazardous materials must create and implement a plan for responding to emergencies that involve a release (or threatened release). Reporting and recordkeeping requirements also apply 

AB 2059 affected Hazardous Materials Business Plans in three ways:

• Establishing stricter definitions for “consumer product” and “retail establishment” that apply to fewer products and businesses, 
• New recordkeeping requirements for “suppliers” that provide or sell certain amounts of covered hazardous materials to businesses in the state, and  
• A new notification requirement for hazardous materials handlers related to the removal and transfer of materials to another location.    

Facilities that took advantage of these exemptions in past years should review the revised definitions for both terms to make sure the business and/or specific products/chemicals remain exempt as of January 1.  

Cal/EPA released an update/fact sheet about changes to the HMBP program last year.

The full text of AB 2059 is available online. 

Who is Covered by California's HMBP Program?

Facilities in California are subject to the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) program if they handle certain amounts of hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, etc.), including:

• Liquids in amounts greater than or equal to 55 gallons; or
• Solids in amounts greater than or equal to 500 lbs.; or
• Compressed gases in amounts greater than or equal to 200 cubic feet; or
• Extremely hazardous substances listed in 40 CFR 355 in amounts greater than or equal to that substance’s threshold planning quantity (TPQ).

Facilities subject to the Hazardous Materials Business Plan requirements must submit info electronically to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). The facility's Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) evaluates and verifies the information reported. Required information includes:

• An inventory of the site’s hazardous materials;
• A detailed site map;
• A detailed emergency plan; and
• A training program for employees.

May 2023: RCRA/Title 22 and Hazmat Shipper Training (San Diego and Ontario, CA)

The requirements for Hazardous Materials Business Plans are only one of the important changes impacting facilities that manage hazardous materials and wastes in California in 2023. California DTSC is working on a rulemaking to adopt substantial changes to the state hazardous waste regulations, and completely re-organize the generator standards currently spread across 22 CCR Parts 66262 and 66265. 

At the California Hazardous Waste Management Workshops in San Diego and Ontario, California in May 2023, your instructor will call attention to state regulations that will change when California adopts mandatory stricter provisions and re-organized the state hazardous waste regulations. 

Tags: california hazardous waste , California health and safety code , California HSC , hazardous materials business plans , Title 22

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California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) Information

Hazardous materials business plan (hmbp) cers submittal.

In 1986, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) established the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Program, which prevents or minimizes damage to the public and the environment from a release of hazardous materials. Under the Program, California businesses that handle hazardous materials were required to submit an HMBP each year. Assembly Bill 1429, which was passed on July 9, 2019, would require a business with a facility that is not required to submit tier II information pursuant to the above-mentioned federal provision and is not subject to the provisions governing those aboveground storage tanks to submit its business plan once every three years, instead of annually.

However, the Los Angeles County Code of Ordinance, Section 12.64.030 still requires all hazardous materials handlers operating under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County must electronically certify, or submit an updated Hazardous Materials Business Plan, including hazardous materials inventory, site map, contingency plan and the employee training plan information via the Statewide information management system (also known as California Environmental Reporting System [CERS]) ANNUALLY.

Please click here for the CERS Central website for background and business guidance documentation.

HMBP Reporting Deadline: March 15, 2024

Please ensure that CERS submissions for reporting year 2024 is completed no later than March 15, 2024. Failure to submit before the due date may result in a late submittal fee of $505.00 pursuant to Title 12 of the Los Angeles County Code Section 12.64.045. If you have previously submitted in CERS you may start from the existing submittal, edit any changes and submit.

New Federal Hazard Categories

Instructions on removing warning signs in CERS

Safety data sheet (sds) sample, to log in to cers, step-by-step basic instructions, creating an account and access request, facility submittal, hazardous materials inventory, inventory template and upload, more information.

Consolidated Contingency Plan

Sample Site Map

Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification

Hazardous Waste Recyclable Materials Biennial Report

How can I recover my CERS Username?

How can I recover my CERS  Password?

If you have CERS related questions you may contact us at (323) 890 – 4000 or e-mail [email protected].

Julia Kim began her employment with the County of Los Angeles in January 2015, and has served in the Professional Performance Section, Employee Relations Division, Risk Management Division, and most recently, the Human Resources Division.

Chief Kim was appointed to Deputy Fire Chief in September 2023.

Theresa R. Barrera

In her role as Chief Deputy of Business Operations, Theresa Barrera oversees the Fire Department’s $1.5 billion budget and provides executive oversight of the Administrative Services, Special Services, and Prevention Services Bureaus.

Chief Barrera joined the Fire Department in 2004 where she served as the Assistant Chief and Chief of the Financial Management Division. In 2022, Chief Barrera was appointed as Deputy Fire Chief of the Administrative Bureau and worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to improve standard business practices, ensure administrative and fiscal compliance, and foster a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.  In August 2023, Chief Barrera was appointed as the Chief Deputy of Business Operations.

Prior to joining the Fire Department, Chief Barrera devoted 16 years climbing the ranks in administrative services at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services and Auditor-Controller.  Chief Barrera received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.  She is a Board Member for the F&A Federal Credit Union.

Jon O’Brien

Chief Deputy Jon F. O’Brien has worked as a fire service professional for over 33 years.  Chief O’Brien started his career as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Sierra Madre.  After graduating from high school, he completed paramedic training at the Los Angeles County Paramedic Training Institute and was hired by the City of Monrovia as a full-time firefighter/paramedic until he joined the County of Los Angeles in 1999.

Chief O’Brien has served in several operational and administrative assignments, promoting through the ranks to his current position as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations.  Along the way, he has worked as a flight medic in the Department’s Air Operations Section, a fire crew supervisor in the Camps Section, a recruit training captain, and a field battalion chief.

In April 2014, Chief O’Brien was assigned to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bureau and was responsible for the education and training of the Department’s 3,200 emergency medical technicians and 1,250 paramedics.  The following year in November 2015, Chief O’Brien was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief and assigned to Division VI in the Central Regional Operations Bureau.  In July 2017, he returned to the EMS Bureau as Acting Deputy Fire Chief and was officially promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in December 2017.

In April 2020, Chief O’Brien was assigned as Deputy Fire Chief of the North Regional Operations Bureau where he oversaw the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the Air & Wildland Division and the Technical Operations Section.  He was also the incident commander of the Department’s Incident Management Team 1.

In October 2022, Chief O’Brien assumed the role of Acting Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations.  As Chief Deputy, Chief O’Brien serves as second in command and is responsible for overseeing the Fire Department’s three Operations bureaus (North, Central, and East), as well as the Air and Wildland Division and the Lifeguard Division.  Chief O’Brien is also responsible for the Training and Emergency Medical Services Bureau and the Homeland Security Section.

On August 23, 2023, was officially assigned as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations.

Chief O’Brien received his Associate of Arts degree in fire science at Mount San Antonio Community College and his Bachelor of Science degree in public policy and management at the University of Southern California.  He currently represents the Department on the FIRESCOPE Operations Team and the Los Angeles County Measure B Advisory Committee.

Anthony C. Marrone

Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone has been a chief officer for the past 25 years and a member of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department for 37 years.  Prior to his executive appointment by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, Deputy Fire Chief Marrone recently served as Acting Chief Deputy over Business Operations and as Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Marrone leads one of the largest metropolitan emergency services agencies in the United States, providing traditional fire and life safety services to more than 4.1 million residents and commercial business customers in 60 cities served by the Department, in addition to all the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County within its 2,311-square-mile service delivery area.  The Department operates out of 177 fire stations, with 4,900 emergency responders and business professionals operating with an annual budget of just under $1.6 billion.  In addition, the Department provides lifeguard, air and wildland, health hazardous materials, and forestry services throughout the County.

Chief Marrone’s well-established career combines broad experience in both emergency and business operations with an extensive list of accomplishments and assignments, including leading and managing the Leadership and Professional Standards Bureau, Special Services Bureau, Emergency Medical Services Bureau, East Regional Operations Bureau, and Central Regional Operations Bureau, in addition to special projects and Business Operations.  He has also directly managed routine and complex wildland fires and other significant all-risk incidents.

During his career with the Department, Chief Marrone has served on the Los Angeles County Emergency Preparedness Commission, the FIRESCOPE Task Force, Legal Exposure Reduction Committee, County Emergency Operations Center, and as an Incident Commander on one of the Department’s three Incident Management Teams.

Chief Marrone looks forward to collaborating with the Board of Supervisors, labor unions, stakeholder organizations, members of the Department, and the residents and communities we serve, to further enhance the delivery and quality of emergency and life safety services to those in our care, while working together to increase our diversity, equity, and inclusion.

William L. Mayfield

Acting Deputy Fire Chief William L. Mayfield Jr. is a 34-year veteran of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.  He began his fire service career in 1988. He has held the ranks of Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter Specialist, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief.

His previous assignment includes managing Division IV of the East Regional Operations Bureau, consisting of three battalions, 12 cities and 25 fire stations.  Chief Mayfield has been a chief officer for over 17 years.  He has worked multiple operational, administrative, and special assignments throughout his career, including fire prevention, command and control, and several field commands.

As of October 2022, Chief Mayfield’s new assignment is to command and lead the Central Regional Operations Bureau.  In this role, he provides leadership for four divisions, seven battalions, 55 fire stations within 22 cities, and over 1,600 firefighting and lifeguard personnel.  The Lifeguard Division provides water rescue and medical services to 11 cities and consists of specialized and trained professionals who protect Catalina Island and 72 miles of sandy beaches and open water.

As an Incident Commander, Chief Mayfield also manages the Department’s Incident Management Team 2.

Central Regional Offices

Carson 701 E Carson St., Rm B-24 Carson, CA 90745 (310) 830-9596

• Palos Verdes Estate*
• Rancho Dominquez
• Rancho Palos Verdes*
• Rolling Hills*
• Rolling Hills Estate*
• San Pedro (Co)
• Santa Catalina
• Torrance (Co)
• Wilmington (Co)

East Los Angeles 4801 E Third St. Los Angeles, CA 90022 (323) 881-7068

• Bell Gardens*
• City Terrace
• East Los Angeles

Hawthorne 4475 W El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 263-2732

• Marina Del Rey

Lynwood 3161 Imperial Hwy. Lynwood, CA 90262 (310) 603-5258

• Gardena (Co)
• Huntington Park*
• South Gate*
• Walnut Park
• Willowbrook

West Hollywood 864 N San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 (310) 358-2380

• Baldwin Hills
• Ladera Heights
• Universal City
• West Hollywood *
• Windsor Hills

*Incorporated Cities

LAND DEVELOPMENT UNIT

5823 Rickenbacker Road Commerce, CA 90040 (323) 890-4243

CODES AND ORDINANCES UNIT

5823 Rickenbacker Road Commerce, CA 90040 (323) 890-4226

PREVENTION DATA SYSTEMS UNIT

5823 Rickenbacker Road Commerce, CA 90040 (323) 890-4340

HIGH RISE/COUNTY FACILITIES UNIT

590 S. Park Street Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 620-8327

East Regional Offices

Arcadia 125 S. Baldwin Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 (626) 574-0963

• Angeles Crest
• Arcadia (Co)
• La Canada Flintridge*
• La Crescenta
• Pasadena (Co)
• San Gabriel (C0)

Cerritos 19030 Pioneer Blvd Cerritos, CA 90703 (562) 860-8014

• Bellflower*
• East Compton (Co)
• Hawaiian Gardens*
• Signal Hill*

Irwindale 5200 Irwindale Ave Irwindale, CA 91706 (626) 430-3050

• Baldwin Park*
• Hacienda Heights
• Pico Rivera*
• Rowland Heights
• South El Monte*
• South San Gabriel
• Temple City*

Azusa 605 N. Angeleno Ave Azusa, CA 91702 (626) 969-7876

Glendora 231 W. Mountain View Ave Glendora, CA 91741 (626) 963-0067

• Padua Hills

Diamond Bar 1061 S. Grand Ave Diamond Bar, CA 91765 (909) 620-2216

• Diamond Bar*
• La Verne (Co)

La Habra 850 W. La Habra Blvd La Habra, CA 90633 (562) 691-9369

Commerce 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, CA 90040 (323) 720-9913

PETROLEUM CHEMICAL UNIT

5200 Irwindale Ave Irwindale, CA 91706 (626)430-3040

Vince A. Peña

Deputy Fire Chief Vince A. Peña has been with the Los Angeles County Fire Department since 1981.  Chief Peña has held the positions of firefighter, firefighter paramedic, firefighter specialist, fire camp foreman, fire captain, battalion chief, assistant fire chief, deputy fire chief, and acting chief deputy.

As a chief officer, battalion chief assignments have included Battalion 5 in Malibu, Battalion 16 in Covina, Battalion 20 in Inglewood, and Battalion 2 in San Dimas.  He also served as the camp section battalion chief for the paid camps and heavy equipment unit.  As an assistant fire chief, he was assigned to Division 2 in the east San Gabriel Valley and the Air & Wildland Division.

In Chief Peña’s assignment as the deputy fire chief of the North Regional Operations Bureau, he oversaw the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the Technical Operations Section and the Air & Wildland Division.  He has also served as operations section chief for the Department on many large wildland incidents and was the incident commander of the Department’s Incident Management Team 1.

Since October 2022, and following his assignment as acting chief deputy, Chief Peña has served as the deputy fire chief over the East Regional Operations Bureau.

Chief Peña attended East Los Angeles College, the University of La Verne, and the Executive Leadership Development Program for the County of Los Angeles.  He also instructs incident command courses for the Fire Department and throughout the country.

Thomas C. Ewald

Deputy Fire Chief Thomas C. Ewald has served in the professional fire services for 35 years. Chief Ewald started his career as a firefighter with the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Fire Department in 1986. While working in the Midwest, he attended community college and completed paramedic training. Chief Ewald joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1992 where he rose through the ranks serving as firefighter, paramedic, captain, battalion chief, and assistant chief.

Chief Ewald has served as a firefighter paramedic at Universal Studios and West Hollywood; a fire inspector in East Los Angeles; an apparatus engineer in Carson and Pomona; an engine company captain in Southgate and South Los Angeles; a staff captain for the Central Regional Operations Bureau Deputy; a field battalion chief in El Monte, Commerce, Palos Verdes; the chief of Technical Operations, overseeing local, national and international Urban Search and Rescue Operations; assistant chief in Division I, covering the South Bay and Catalina Island, and as the assistant chief, overseeing the Air and Wildland Division.

During his career, Chief Ewald has been called upon to respond to manmade and natural disasters across the county and worldwide with notable incidents, including Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans), Hurricane Dean (Belize), Cyclone Nargis (Camp H.S. Smith Hawaii), 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (Ofunato) , 2011 New Zealand Earthquake (Christchurch) and 2015 Typhoon Maysak (Micronesia).

In December 2017, Chief Ewald was promoted to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief where he oversaw the Department’s Special Services Bureau consisting of three divisions: Fleet Services, Command and Control, and Construction & Maintenance.

On April 1, 2021, Chief Ewald’s tour of duty ended at Special Services and he assumed command of the Central Regional Operations Bureau. By October 2022, Chief Ewald was then assigned to oversee the North Regional Operations Bureau.

Chief Ewald holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Prevention Administration from Cogswell Polytechnical College and a Master of Science degree in Leadership from the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. In 2018, Chief Ewald attended the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Chief Ewald is a qualified Type 2 Incident Commander and Type 2 Operation Section Chief and provides leadership to the Department’s Incident Management Team Two.

Chief Ewald resides in Southern California with his wife and four children.

Robert Harris

Acting Deputy Fire Chief Robert Harris started his career at the age of 19 after he was appointed reserve firefighter with the City of Montebello Fire Department.

Chief Harris began his service with the Los Angeles County Fire Department on May 8, 1992. During his tenure with the Department, he has promoted through the ranks from Firefighter, Fire Fighter Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Fire Fighter Specialist, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Acting Deputy Fire Chief, effective September 1, 2022.

Over the years, Chief Harris has attended Dillard University (New Orleans), the University of Southern California, Long Beach Community College, and Compton Community College. Currently, he is a senior at Columbia Southern University, completing his bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Management.

For more than 28 years, Chief Harris has served as a member of the Department’s international Urban Search and Rescue Team. He has traveled and provided rescue efforts around the globe. For more than four years, he served as the program manager of our elite rescue team and was the Department’s primary point-of-contact with our state, federal, and international partners.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and riding motorcycles.  Chief Harris has a true passion for mentoring others who are seeking a career in the fire service. He believes in the motto, “each one, reach one”.

ANDERSON D. MACKEY, JR.

Anderson Mackey is an Acting Deputy Fire Chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, currently overseeing Training and the Emergency Medical Services Bureau.

Chief Mackey was born and raised in the City of Los Angeles and is a 33-year veteran of the Department.  After graduating from the fire academy, he was assigned to Fire Station 103 in Pico Rivera.  He was later assigned to Fire Station 105 in Compton as his second probationary station.  In November 1989, Fire Fighter Mackey transferred to Fire Station 8 in West Hollywood.  In January 1991, he volunteered to attend the Paramedic Training Institute.  After successful completion of the six-month program, he was re-assigned to Fire Station 8 as a Fire Fighter Paramedic.  In February 1992, he transferred to Fire Station 7 where he remained for the next six years.  In October 1998, Mackey transferred to Fire Station 161 in Hawthorne and, 11 months later, was promoted to the rank of Fire Fighter Specialist.  He was then re-assigned to Fire Station 58 in Ladera Heights.  In February 2000, Mackey promoted to the rank of Fire Captain and was assigned to Fire Station 83 in Rancho Palos Verdes.  By November 2000, he transferred to Fire Station 173 in Inglewood. In November 2006, Chief Mackey volunteered to head the Recruitment Unit where he managed over 50 recruiters who volunteered to give career presentations at high schools, colleges/universities, career fairs, and community events.  In November 2010, Chief Mackey was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief and was assigned to Battalion 10 in El Monte, and then Battalion 8 in Whittier.  In 2011, he was transferred to Battalion 20 in Inglewood.  Two years later, Chief Mackey was re-assigned to the Employee Services Section where he worked directly for the Fire Chief.  In February 2018, he promoted to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief.

Chief Mackey received his diploma of completion at Dillard University, New Orleans for the Executive Development Institute.  He resides in Pasadena with his beautiful wife Carmen and two lovely daughters, Denver and Blu.  In his spare time, he enjoys golf, swimming, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Eleni Pappas

Born to immigrant parents who moved to the United States from Greece, Deputy Fire Chief Eleni Pappas was raised in Jersey City, New Jersey.  After graduating from Saint Dominic’s Academy High School, she was accepted into the University of Southern California where she competed as a varsity rower, helping her team win the prestigious San Diego Crew Cup.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree during the civil unrest in May 1992.

From her college apartment, she watched Los Angeles burn and was impressed with the fire engines and tiller trucks racing across the city to extinguish the fires.  She decided then and there to become a firefighter.

By 1996, Chief Pappas earned her paramedic license from Daniel Freeman Paramedic School in Inglewood.  She then worked as an EMT for Goodhew Ambulance where she ran 9-1-1 calls with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD).

A few years later, she was hired by Ventura County Fire Department and served as a firefighter for one year.  She then became a firefighter with the City of Los Angeles and served there for four years.  In 2001, after the attack on the World Trade Center, she was accepted into the Department’s Recruit Academy and graduated from the 109 th Recruit Class later that year.

Since joining the LACoFD, she has promoted through every rank and is currently the highest-ranking woman in the Department’s history and the first-ever woman to obtain the ranks of Assistant Fire Chief and now Deputy Fire Chief.

She has worked in all three regional operations bureaus and in all 22 operations battalions.  Since her promotion as a chief officer in September 2012, Chief Pappas has spent three years as the co-chairperson of the Equipment Development Committee and also managed the Department-wide implementation of the electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) system.  As an Assistant Fire Chief, she was assigned to Division VI in the Central Regional Operations Bureau and managed the Fire Explorers youth mentoring program.  Currently, she is assigned to the Special Services Bureau where she manages the Command and Control, Construction and Maintenance, and Fleet Services Divisions.

In August 2021, Chief Pappas successfully completed her master’s degree in Emergency Management from Cal State Long Beach.

At home, Chief Pappas enjoys gardening and spending time with her family, their dogs, parakeets, and bearded dragon.  Raising her daughter is her greatest accomplishment.  She cherishes spending quality time with her beautiful 12-year-old daughter who is the center of her life.

Dennis Breshears

Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Breshears started his fire service career at the age of 23 after he was appointed to the Monrovia Fire Department on February 24, 1994.

Chief Breshears then moved to the Orange County Fire Authority in 1999 and began his service with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) in December 2000.  He has steadily promoted through the ranks from Fire Fighter, Fire Firefighter Paramedic, Fire Fighter Specialist, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and now to Deputy Fire Chief on December 16, 2021.

Over the years, Chief Breshears attended Lutheran High School (La Verne, California), Glendale College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Kaplan University, and California State University, Long Beach.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Management and a master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration.

For more than three years, Chief Breshears served as the Chief of the Professional Performance Section.  As a captain, he also completed a special assignment as the Department ICS Coordinator.  Chief Breshears is a state-certified instructor and Type II Operations Section Chief and Deputy Incident Commander for LAC IMT 1.

In June 2021, Chief Breshears was selected to serve on the FIRESCOPE Task Force.  He is currently assigned as the Deputy Fire Chief over the Leadership and Professional Standards Bureau.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and restoring classic cars.  While he is very proud of his profession, he considers being a father to three amazing daughters as his greatest accomplishment in life.

Assistant Fire Chief: 323.586.7049 Community Services Liaison: 323.586.7039

Huntington Park

Today’s Service Area

Today, the CFPD serves all of the unincorporated area within Los Angeles County, as well as the following 60 incorporated cities, 59 of which are in Los Angeles County and one in Orange County:

• Agoura Hills
• Baldwin Park
• Bell Gardens
• Diamond Bar
• Hawaiian Gardens
• Hermosa Beach
• Hidden Hills

La Canada Flintridge

La Habra (Orange Co.)

• Palos Verdes Estates
• Pico Rivera
• Rancho Palos Verdes
• Rolling Hills
• Rolling Hills Estates
• Santa Clarita
• Signal Hill
• South El Monte
• Temple City
• West Hollywood
• Westlake Village

Since the passage of Proposition 13, thirteen cities have entered into fee-for-service contracts with the CFPD. These are cities that are annexed to and/or contract with the Fire District for services. The CFPD bills these cities an annual fee for the cost of providing services. Annual fees are based upon the net cost of staffing levels in the city plus overhead. These fees are updated annually based upon current salary, employee benefits, and overhead costs. These fee-for-service cities are as follows:

La Habra (Orange County)

The CFPD also has contracts with State, Federal, and other agencies that generate revenues, as well as a few fees and charges for various services.

CFPD & F&FW Authority

Commonly known as the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (CFPD) is a dependent special district.  As a dependent special district, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors acts as the CFPD’s board of directors.  Fire protection districts are governed by the Fire Protection District Law of 1987 (Health & Safety Code, Section 13800 et al).  The CFPD has the additional responsibilities for the Forester & Fire Warden (F&FW).  In 1992, the duties of the F&FW were assigned to the CFPD and those responsibilities are found in the Los Angeles County Code 2.20.

The CFPD has a civilian oversight committee that annually reviews expenditures of the CFPD’s special tax to ensure it is expended in the manner approved by voters in 1997.  Authority for the oversight committee is found in the establishing resolution for the special tax.  The committee has seven members, one each appointed by each member of the Board of Supervisors, one appointed by the City Selection committee, and the director of the Los Angeles County Economy and Efficiency Committee.

Health Hazardous Materials is a Certified Unified Program Agency that administers the following programs within Los Angeles County; the Hazardous Waste Generator Program, the Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Program, the California Accidental Release Prevention Program (Cal-ARP), the Aboveground Storage Tank Program and the Underground Storage Tank Program.

Dawnna B. Lawrence

Chief Deputy Dawnna B. Lawrence is the first female Chief Deputy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

In her role as Chief Deputy of Business Operations, Chief Lawrence oversees the Fire Department’s $1.3 billion budget and more than 800 employees in the Administrative, Prevention, and Special Services Bureaus.

Chief Lawrence initially came to the Fire Department in October 2012 as the Deputy Chief of the Administrative Services Bureau, where she served as the financial advisor to Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby in the midst of fiscal challenges, stemming from the 2008 Recession.  In June 2015, Chief Lawrence was appointed to Chief Deputy of Business Operations and continues to work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the financial future of the Fire Department is stable and sustainable.

Chief Lawrence is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all Fire Department team members through comprehensive action and sustainable policies and practices, in addition to fostering a workforce that is truly representative of the communities we serve.

Prior to joining the Fire Department, Chief Lawrence devoted 20 years climbing the ranks in administrative services at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW), culminating in her appointment to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2006.  As CFO, Chief Lawrence was responsible for managing the DPW’s $2 billion operating budget.  Her efforts and achievement earned Chief Lawrence a CFO of the Year nomination in the September 2012 issue of the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Earlier in her career, Chief Lawrence spent a collective five years at the Department of Health Services and the Department of the Auditor-Controller.  Chief Lawrence received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.  She is also a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.

Chief Lawrence and her two sons are long-time residents of South Pasadena.

Fire District Services

Fire District services are funded primarily through a direct allocation of property taxes and a voter-approved special tax on all properties within the property tax cities served by the Fire District. The amount of property tax revenue generated within a city is based on assessed value and varies from city to city. This includes all unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and the following 47 cities:

Assistant Fire Chief: (626) 280-6959 Community Services Liaison: (626) 280-8504

Assistant Fire Chief: (909) 620-2003 Community Services Liaison: (909) 469-2659

Assistant Fire Chief: (310) 317-1802 Community Services Liaison: (310) 456-7923

Assistant Fire Chief: (661) 940-6791 Community Services Liaison: (661) 948-3785

Assistant Fire Chief: (562) 860-5524 Community Services Liaison: (562) 402-9709

Assistant Fire Chief: (661) 298-5280 Community Services Liaison: (661) 250-2710

• La Cañada Flintridge

Assistant Fire Chief: (626) 974-8371 Community Services Liaison: (626) 732-3531

Assistant Fire Chief: (310) 329-3315 Community Services Liaison: (310) 217-7074

CERT Training is offered free of charge. Participants have no obligation or commitment to respond or act in the event of a disaster. The class curriculum for the training program consists of the following:

Unit 1 – DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Introduction to disasters and the impact disasters have on infrastructures. This course covers the role of CERT volunteers.

Unit 2 – DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION Fire chemistry and basic fire suppression; identifying and reducing potential fire hazards; firefighting resources and techniques, as well as a discussion on hazardous materials.

Unit 3 – DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS 1 The principles of Triage and the treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions.

Unit 4 – DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS 2 Head-to-toe patient assessments, establishing treatment areas, treatments for burns, lacerations, raptures, sprains, and other injuries. This is basic information, NOT a first-Aid class.

Unit 5 – LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS Search and Rescue priorities and resources; size-up techniques and rescuer safety, lifting, cribbing, and victim removal.

Unit 6 – DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION The post disaster emotional environment, the Incident Command System, and decision-making and documentation.

Unit 7 – TERRORISM Risk and threat analysis, types of terrorism weapons, and travel and terrorism.

Unit 8 – COURSE REVIEW AND SIMULATION A review of your newly learned skills and either a hands-on drill simulation, or a table top exercise.

Explorer Sign-Up Form

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John R. Todd is a Registered Professional Forester in the State of California and he was employed as a forester by the Los Angeles County Fire Department from 1988 to 2012. In April 2012, John was promoted to the rank of deputy fire chief of the Prevention Services Bureau (PSB). The PSB is comprised of the Fire Prevention Division, the Forestry Division and the Health Hazardous Materials Division. Members of the Bureau serve the citizens of Los Angeles County by completing inspections and educating the community about the benefits of proper safety practices, completing building, sprinkler, and fire alarm plan checks, protecting natural resources, providing conservation education programs and advice to interested groups, using technology to assess weather, fuel moisture, and fire danger, and protecting public health and the environment from accidental releases and improper handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes.

John received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1988. He has also completed many advanced courses in leadership, the Incident Command System, fire behavior, protection of resources, and urban search and rescue.

Emergency Medical Services Bureau

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bureau was created in ____ ____, to address the growing EMS needs across the County. In total, EMS 9-1-1 calls comprise nearly 85 percent of the Department’s responses. The Department is committed to providing prompt, clinically skilled, and caring medical service to ensure positive outcomes for everyone, every time.

Sidewalk CPR Training Dates and Locations

Saturday, June 1, 2019:

• Pacific Palms Resort 1 Industry Hills Parkway Industry, CA 91744 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Wednesday, June 5, 2019:

• Huntington Park Farmers’ Market – Salt Lake Park 3401 East Florence Avenue Huntington Park, CA 90255 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Thursday, June 6, 2019:

• South Bay Pavilion 20700 South Avalon Boulevard Carson, CA 90746 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Los Cerritos Center (Nordstrom Wing) 239 Los Cerritos Center Cerritos, CA 90703 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Claremont Chamber of Commerce (with LACoFD Fire Station 102) 205 Yale Avenue Claremont, CA 91711 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Chili’s 707 Grand Avenue Diamond Bar, CA 91765 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Albertsons/Starbucks 1735 West Artesia Boulevard Gardena, CA 90248 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• LACoFD Lifeguard Southern Section 1200 The Strand Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Mednik Food Court – So Cal Burgers 203 South Mednik Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90022 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Lifeguard Division HQ’s 2600 The Strand Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• McDonald’s 11053 East Rosecrans Avenue Norwalk, CA 90650 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Antelope Valley Mall 1233 Rancho Vista Boulevard Palmdale, CA 93551 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Wingstop 756 East Arrow Highway Pomona, CA 91767 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
• Promenade on the Peninsula 550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 101 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Rosemead Place Shopping Center – The Habit Burger Grill 3610 Rosemead Boulevard Rosemead, CA 91770 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
• Costco 520 North Lone Hill Avenue San Dimas, CA 91773 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Central Park 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91350 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Westfield Valencia Town Center Outside Patio (near Apple Store) 24201 West Valencia Boulevard Valencia, CA 91355 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• LA Fitness 13806 Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90605 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Friday, June 7, 2019:

• Covina Farmers Market – Heritage Plaza 400 North Citrus Avenue Covina, CA 91723 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Fuel Modification History and Background

The dry, sunny climate and variable terrain of Southern California combine to create an environment where wildfires are a part of the natural ecosystem and an almost year-round occurrence. This ecosystem fosters a diverse fire-adapted community of plants and animals. Although human caused wildfires far outnumber naturally occurring wildfires within Los Angeles County, both have the potential to create situations where structures in the Wildland Urban Interface can be at risk. All vegetation will burn, even though irrigation has created a deceptively lush landscape of ornamental plants.

Following the loss of lives and structures during the 1993 wildfire season, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors created the Wildfire Safety Panel to offer recommendations that would help reduce the threat to life and property in areas prone to wildfires. One of the recommendations was to follow the findings of the Wildland Urban lnterface Task Force and another was to enforce the provisions of the Bates Bill. Jurisdictional Fire Departments were required to establish a set of guidelines and landscape criteria for all new construction in Fire Hazard Severity Zones. As a result, Fuel Modification Plans became a requirement within Los Angeles County beginning in 1996.

In the areas served by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, all new construction, remodeling fifty percent or greater, construction of certain outbuildings and accessory structures over 120 square feet, parcel splits and subdivision/developments within areas designated as Fire Hazard Severity Zones will require a Fuel Modification Plan approval before the applicable land division, Conditional Use Permit, or Building Permit will be approved. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department Forestry Division’s Fuel Modification Unit is responsible for processing, reviewing, and approving these plans.

Cal Fire is responsible for the mapping and revisions to all Fire Hazard Severity Zones across the state. These zone designations establish minimum standards for building construction and exterior landscape features in an effort to mitigate the increasing losses from our cycle of wildfire vents. Cal Fire designates the Severity Zones for all State Responsibility Areas (SRAs). In Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs), the jurisdictional county or city determines the Severity Zones with approval from the state that are then adopted by local ordinance or city councils.

North Regional Offices

Santa Clarita 23757 Valencia Blvd Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 286-8821

• Canyon Country
• Chatsworth (Co)
• Santa Clarita*
• Stevenson Ranch

Lancaster 335-A East Ave K-6 Lancaster, CA 93535 (661) 949-6319

• Antelope Acres
• Green Valley
• Lake Hughes
• Lake Los Angeles
• Leona Valley
• Quartz Hill

Palmdale Fire Prevention 38250 Sierra Highway Palmdale, CA 93550 (661) 537-2901

• Pearblossom
• Vasquez Rocks

Calabasas 26600 Agoura Road, Suite 110 Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 880-0341

• Agoura Hills*
• Hidden Hills*
• Westlake Village*

PUBLIC SAFETY AND FILM UNIT

14425 Olive View Drive Sylmar, CA 91342 (818) 364-8240

• Hazardous Waste Disposal
• Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal
• Hazardous Waste Training
• Certified Product Disposal
• Hazmat Emergency Response
• Electronic Waste Disposal
• Facility Closures
• Industrial Cleaning Services
• Lab Pack Services
• Medical Waste Disposal
• Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

How To Create A Hazardous Materials Business Plan

A Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) is an important document that contains information about hazardous materials used on site at a facility. 

In California, some companies are required to create a hazardous materials business plan, depending on the amount or type of hazardous waste on the facility’s premises. 

The purpose of this plan is to provide important information about hazardous materials on site to first responders when there is a threat to public health and the environment. It also satisfies federal and state Community Right-to-Know Act laws that require industries to report on the storage and use of hazardous materials.

If your company is required to create an HMBP based on how much hazardous waste that is generated in your facility, below are the steps you will need to take to meet federal, state and local laws. 

Know Your County’s Specific Requirements

• 55 gallons in liquid form
• 500 pounds in solid form
• 200 cubic feet of compressed gas

Your facility must also create a HMBP if the materials being used are considered to be “extremely hazardous substances,” per Section 355.61 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Additional state and federal requirements are outlined in this Governor’s Office of Emergency Services document . It’s important to note that some counties in California have stricter requirements such as the amount of a chemical that must be included in a facility’s plan. Facilities located in counties that do not have threshold amounts can refer to the California Health and Safety Code for guidance.

Compile And Submit The Plan

California’s Health and Safety Code establishes standards that must be included in a HMBP. Because local authorities may have additional requirements, it is important to check with your local government agency to determine any additional components that must be included in a plan.

In general, HMBPs include four elements:

• Business activities and owner identification
• Hazardous material inventory
• An emergency response plan and employee training

Business Activities And Owner Identification

This part of your HMBP should be pretty straight-forward and is a form found in the facility information section of the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). This form includes business activities conducted at the facility, as well as information about the owner/operator. 

Hazardous Material Inventory

This portion of your HMBP is a list of all the hazardous materials present at your facility that are subject to reporting. These inventory forms must be completed and submitted through CERS as well. 

Your list must include all hazardous substances on site and stored in underground tanks. One way to recognize any inventory that is hazardous is by the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that are provided by the manufacturer, as required by law. SDS documents contain:

• The substance’s chemical composition
• Fire and explosive potential
• Any health hazards
• Reactive characteristics
• Emergency procedures
• Special protection and precautions that should take place

Reported inventory also must include extremely hazardous substances that are in quantities equal to or greater than the “Threshold Planning Quantities,” which are established in the Federal Register or on the EPA website.

Facilities must develop a site map in the event that an emergency occurs and responding personnel must locate hazardous materials. This map, which must be submitted to Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA) through CERS, should include items such as: 

• Loading areas
• Internal roads and adjacent streets
• Storm and sewer drains
• Access and exit points, including driveway entrances and parking lots
• Emergency shutoffs
• Evacuation staging areas
• Hazardous material handling and storage areas
• Fire hydrants and other connections
• Emergency response equipment, such as fire extinguishers and spill kits

Indicate on the map the North direction, and be sure to label any adjacent properties, especially if they are schools, parks or residential areas.

Check with your local county for rules on using color versus black and white, and whether there are any requirements on whether maps must be drawn on a computer or by hand.

Emergency Response Plan And Employee Training

This portion of the HMBP outlines the facility’s emergency training program and a plan that should be put into action if an emergency occurs. 

According to the Health and Safety Code, employees should be trained in disaster preparedness when they are first hired and should be given annual refresher training courses.

Training programs should ensure employees are familiar with the facility’s emergency response plan and should include notification procedures should an emergency occur. The facility’s emergency response plan should include procedures to mitigate harm to employees, the public and the environment.

Not having a proper plan in place can be costly and lead to major fines. Our article, No Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan Leads To Big Fine For Manufacturer , shows why it is important to adequately train staff and have an emergency plan in place.

Review Accuracy 

Businesses change, and so may the amount of hazardous materials stored on site. After initially submitting a HMBP through CERS, companies should review the accuracy of their plan on an annual basis. 

This is important because any change in hazardous material use or location could impact an emergency response.

Government hazardous materials divisions that inspect facilities will compare materials on site with what is outlined in the HMBP. If any parts do not align, a facility will need to update its HMBP within a certain time period or face fines. 

A Critical Component

Facilities that generate hazardous waste and store hazardous materials on site are responsible for these substances from the moment they are generated to their final disposal . Called cradle to grave , this responsibility is critical to ensure the safety of the public and environment. 

Creating a hazardous material business plan is a critical component of this requirement since it outlines information about each substance at the facility in the event an emergency occurs. Not having an HMBP can be costly - not only to your facility in the form of fines, but to the safety of employees and first responders as well. 

If you need help, contact a hazardous waste disposal company. They can help you create a plan and review your processes to make sure you aren't in violation of any regulations. 

Welcome to RMA

The resource management agency strives to ensure that its customer service standards are consistent with the agency’s mission statement:.

The mission of the Resource Management Agency, in cooperation with the public and our partner agencies, is to protect the consumer and community’s health, safety, and environment by carrying out adopted laws and policies, and educating, assisting, and empowering Ventura County residents and businesses to be good stewards of the land and our resources.

In addition, RMA has identified those core values which will guide us in carrying out our mission. These values are directly related to our customer service and include:

Honesty, hard work, and ethical behavior

Transparency and accountability

Equitable treatment and respect of all constituents

Excellence in service delivery

Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program

What is the hazardous material business plan.

Hazardous materials are defined as items which because of their quantity, concentration, or physical and/or chemical characteristics, pose a hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released, or any material specified in a local ordinance code. A Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) provides the Ventura County Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), local fire agencies, and the public with information on hazardous materials at businesses and most government facilities.

A "hazardous material" includes any substance which:

• require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (California Labor Code, Section 6360); or,
• a substance listed pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations ; or,
• a substance listed in Section 339 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations ; or,
• are listed as a radioactive material (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Appendix B); or,
• are a hazardous waste (California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.5).

The law requires businesses that store, use, or handle hazardous materials at or above specified threshold amounts to provide the CUPA with a HMBP.  The CUPA provides HMBP data to emergency response agencies; including, local fire departments. These agencies use the information during hazardous materials emergency responses. 

The CUPA is responsible for HMBP program compliance throughout Ventura County, except, for the  City of Oxnard and the  City of Ventura . The law requires that the HMBP, records of employee training and updated site maps be available for review as part of the inspection. The CUPA conducts routine HMBP inspections to:

• Ensure compliance with HMBP laws, regulations, and local policies
• Provide guidance on preventing or minimizing the risk of hazardous materials spills or releases.
• Verify hazardous materials inventories, Emergency Response/Contingency Plans, Site Maps and Training.

Submit Your HMBP in the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

Facilities must submit a HMBP to the CUPA electronically through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) within 30 days of bringing hazardous materials onsite that are at or above threshold.  Also, a new and/or amended HMBP is required to be submitted to CERS within 30 days if at any time during the reporting year any of the following occur:

• 100 percent or more increase of a previously disclosed material
• Any undisclosed material(s)
• Change of facility address, ownership or name
• Any significant change: any change in a regulated facility that would inhibit immediate response during an emergency by either site personnel or emergency response personnel, or that could inhibit the handler's ability to comply with the HSC, Section 25507, change the operation knowledge of the facility, or impede implementation of the business plan.

The HMBP is required to be reviewed and submitted to CERS annually to ensure the plan is complete, accurate and up to date. 

CUPA has developed several handouts to assist you in submitting a complete and accurate HMBP to CERS:

• HMBP Frequently Asked Questions
• Hazardous Materials Reporting Chart
• Site Map Guidance
• Emergency Response/Contingency Plan 
• HMBP Unstaffed Remote Facility Exemption Request Form
• Liquefied Gas Conversion Chart
• Lead Acid Battery Reporting Guidance
• Common Hazardous Chemicals
• Guidance on Irritants and Sensitizers
• Guidance on Hazard Classification of Gases
• Chemical Incompatibility Storage
• Reporting Below Threshold
• Mixtures Guidance

HMBP Laws and Regulations

• California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.95
• California Code of Regulations Title 19
• Per the federal Community-Right-to-Know laws the general public can obtain the hazardous materials inventory for any HMBP facility by filing a  Records Search Request Form

More Helpful Documents and Links

• Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
• HMBP Guidance Documents and Publications
• HMBP Agricultural Operations Fact Sheet  - Information on Hazardous Materials Business Plan for agricultural operations (English/Spanish).
• Paint Care Product List
• Other Regulatory Links

Ventura County CUPA Contacts

For specific questions about your permitted facility, please contact your Area Inspector .

Program Specialist

Other regulatory contacts, oxnard cupa.