CHER-CAP Initiative

FEMA has extended the Comprehensive HAZMAT Emergency Response - Capability Assessment Program (CHER-CAP) throughout the nation. The program has operated very successfully in FEMA Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas) for several years. Fifty-six communities nationwide have completed CHER-CAP and twenty additional ones are currently underway. FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh has approved the nation-wide expansion of CHER-CAP and has tasked the Readiness, Response and Recovery Directorate to make it a reality.

Hazardous materials are present in every community in the country. Over 800,000 shipments of these materials occur daily and over 80,000 chemicals are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

While CHER-CAP focuses on issues specific to HAZMAT preparedness and response, it also reinforces preparedness for all hazards by drawing together the key partners from the public and private sector at the local level. It gives responders from all disciplines - fire fighting, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public works, health, environment, volunteer organizations, and industry - a forum to plan, train, and work together demonstrating skills and discovering opportunities for improvements in preparedness and response.

FEMA believes that communities must be better prepared for the accidents resulting from technological hazards as well as natural disasters. All communities face HAZMAT risks. FEMA offers CHER-CAP as a voluntary, comprehensive preparedness effort to address HAZMAT accidents or intentional incidents. FEMA encourages local jurisdictions and industry to work together toward being better prepared for HAZMAT and all-hazards risks that we may confront in the 21st century.

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