Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel

Facilitating the safest possible transition from fossil to hydrogen fuels: the hydrogen executive leadership panel (help)

A joint initiative of the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), the Research and Innovative Technologies Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment (ICFSHE).

In August 2004, the US Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) sought guidance from the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) on how to involve emergency responders in the transition from fossil to hydrogen fueled autos and other applications. In February of 2005 RSPA was reorganized and the responsibility is now with the Research and Innovative Technologies Administration (RITA).

As a result of the RITA-NASFM discussions, in November 2004 emergency responders, government regulators, experts from the auto, energy and insurance industries, scientists, consumer advocates and others attended a three-day workshop to share their views of the future of hydrogen fuel cell powered autos and hydrogen commodity transport, distribution, and storage. Participants had varying perspectives on the appropriate path forward. In March 2005, many of the same individuals came together again to discuss the formation of the Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel (HELP) to bring stakeholders together to facilitate a safe and orderly transition from fossil to hydrogen fuels. By April 2005, experts were invited to serve on HELP's coordinating committee as well as technical and emergency responder advisory committees.

In October 2005, nearly 100 persons participated at HELP's first annual safety summit at the State of Michigan's spectacular new NextEnergy facility in Detroit. Michigan Congressman John Dingell - the Dean of the US House of Representatives - presented NASFM's first Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award to the man for whom the award is named, US Transportation Secretary Mineta. HELP continued its tradition of debating ideas, and working on the tools that will facilitate the transition. Because of its structure, RITA sponsorship and diverse membership, HELP will be the organization with the greatest credibility with emergency responders who understandably must be able to differentiate between facts and the commercial and political rhetoric that so easily cloud these issues.

For more information on NASFM's Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel, please visit the project website www.nasfmhydrogen.com