COHMED Conference

January 27-31, 2025

Costa Mesa, California

Download Schedule as PDF

January 27, 2025

08:00 AM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Level VI Inspection Certification Refresher

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructor: Carlisle Smith, CVSA

This session is for CVSA-certified Level VI inspectors only. This eight-hour refresher course is offered by the CVSA Level VI Inspection Program and its completion meets CVSA’s maintenance of certification requirement for Level VI certified inspectors as outlined in the CVSA Operations Manual. Note: Pre-registration is required for this session.

10:00 AM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Event Registration and Member Services

Pacific Ballroom Foyer, Banquet 2 Level

12:00 PM PT - 01:00 PM PT

Lunch on Your Own

01:00 PM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Training Session - Cargo Tank Cradle to Grave

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

Instructors: Mike Colaner and JP Gibbons

03:00 PM PT - 03:30 PM PT

Networking Refreshment and Snack Break | Sponsored by Usher Transport Inc.

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

Sponsored by Usher Transport Inc.

05:15 PM PT - 06:15 PM PT

Introduction to COHMED

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructors: COHMED Leadership

This session is for first-time attendees to the COHMED Conference. Attendees will be introduced to COHMED leadership and provided with a brief history of the COHMED Program.

January 28, 2025

07:00 AM PT - 08:00 AM PT

Networking Breakfast

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

07:00 AM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Event Registration and Member Services

Pacific Ballroom Foyer, Banquet 2 Level

08:00 AM PT - 10:00 AM PT

General Session and Regulatory Updates

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

  • Presentation of the Colors and National Anthems
  • Welcome Remarks – Sgt. Robert “Joey” Daniels, California Highway Patrol; COHMED Program Chair
  • CVSA President’s Welcome Remarks – Capt. John Hahn, Colorado State Patrol; CVSA President
  • Presentation of Awards
  • Update from Transport Canada – TBD
  • Update from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – TBD
  • Update from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – TBD
  • Closing Remarks – Sgt. Robert “Joey” Daniels, California Highway Patrol; COHMED Program Chair

10:00 AM PT - 10:30 AM PT

Networking Refreshment Break | Sponsored by AWM Consulting Services LLC, Cassidy's Transfer and Storage and Linde Inc.

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

Sponsored by AWM Consulting Services LLC, Cassidy’s Transfer and Storage and Linde Inc.

10:30 AM PT - 12:00 PM PT

Regulatory Updates - PHMSA

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

12:00 PM PT - 01:30 PM PT

Lunch on Your Own

01:30 PM PT - 03:30 PM PT

Hazmat Olympics

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

Instructors: COHMED Leadership

Conference attendees, organized into teams, will compete to find out who knows the hazardous materials regulations best. The winning team will be awarded COHMED Olympic-style gold medals.

01:30 PM PT - 03:30 PM PT

Hazmat Scenarios

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructors: COHMED Leadership

03:30 PM PT - 04:00 PM PT

Networking Refreshment and Snack Break | Sponsored by Marsh McLennan Agency

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

Sponsored by Marsh McLennan Agency.

04:00 PM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Region I Enforcement Meeting

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands and Vermont.

04:00 PM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Region II Enforcement Meeting

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

04:00 PM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Region III Enforcement Meeting

Newport Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ohio, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Yukon.

04:00 PM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Region IV Enforcement Meeting

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

04:00 PM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Industry Meeting

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

This meeting is for individuals from transportation safety organizations, truck and bus companies, training institutions, state and provincial truck associations, insurance companies and trade associations, as well as owner-operators, consultants and industry suppliers and vendors.

06:30 PM PT - 08:30 PM PT

Welcome Networking Reception

Fountain Terrace, Lobby Level

January 29, 2025

07:00 AM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Event Registration and Member Services

Pacific Ballroom Foyer, Banquet 2 Level

07:00 AM PT - 08:00 AM PT

Networking Breakfast | Sponsored by Hoffman Transportation LLC/G&D Trucking Inc.

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

Sponsored by Hoffman Transportation LLC/G&D Trucking Inc.

07:00 AM PT - 12:00 PM PT

FMCSA HM Team Meeting (Invitation Only)

Dana Point, Lobby Level

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - Ag Exempt Commodities

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Adam Balk

Hazardous materials are commonly used in the agricultural business. This session will cover agricultural hazardous materials and some of the common exceptions in 49 CFR.

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - Ops Policy 14 and 15 - How to Document a Violation

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Kevin Hogan

This session will be a detailed presentation on CVSA Operational Policies 14 and 15 and how inspectors should properly document hazardous material violations on roadside inspections.

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - IBC Focused Class and Hazard Communication

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Joey Daniels

This session will focus on IBCs with an emphasis on hazard communication including a recent change to the regulations that allows reduced sized combustible placards on IBCs.

08:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Morning Long Session - Cylinders

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructors: PHMSA

This session will focus on DOT and UN specification cylinders, cylinder marking, cylinder testing, cylinder inspection and common violations.

09:30 AM PT - 10:00 AM PT

Networking Refreshment Break

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - Ag Exempt Commodities

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Adam Balk

Hazardous materials are commonly used in the agricultural business. This session will cover agricultural hazardous materials and some of the common exceptions in 49 CFR.

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - IBC Focused Class and Hazard Communication

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Joey Daniels

This session will focus on IBCs with an emphasis on hazard communication including a recent change to the regulations that allows reduced sized combustible placards on IBCs.

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - Ops Policy 14 and 15 - How to Document a Violation

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Kevin Hogan

This session will be a detailed presentation on CVSA Operational Policies 14 and 15 and how inspectors should properly document hazardous material violations on roadside inspections.

11:30 AM PT - 01:00 PM PT

Lunch on Your Own

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Characteristics of Hazardous Waste

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Republic Services

This session will focus on hazardous waste characteristics and the waste codes used by EPA and adopted into 49CFR and how these codes are displayed on a uniform hazardous waste manifest.

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Understanding Physical and Health Hazards

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Tom Krolak

This session will focus on how hazardous materials can harm you and the tools you have at your disposal to identify the hazards and protect yourself and others.

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Packaging (IBCs)

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructors: Katelin Maits, PHMSA

This session will focus on the different types of IBCs, common commodities transported, now to read the UN packaging code, testing requirements and common violations

01:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Afternoon Long Session - Lithium Battery Safety/Incidents/Regulatory Update

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructors: Bill Reese and Suzanne Lessard

This session will focus on recent updates to the lithium battery regulations, review recent lithium battery incidents, undeclared shipments and common violations discovered.

02:30 PM PT - 03:00 PM PT

Networking Refreshment and Snack Break | Sponsored by AWM Consulting Services LLC

Sponsored by AWM Consulting Services LLC.

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Packaging (IBCs)

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructors: Katelin Maits, PHMSA

This session will focus on the different types of IBCs, common commodities transported, now to read the UN packaging code, testing requirements and common violations

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Characteristics of Hazardous Waste

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Republic Services

This session will focus on hazardous waste characteristics and the waste codes used by EPA and adopted into 49CFR and how these codes are displayed on a uniform hazardous waste manifest.

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Understanding Physical and Health Hazards

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Tom Krolak

This session will focus on how hazardous materials can harm you and the tools you have at your disposal to identify the hazards and protect yourself and others.

06:30 PM PT - 08:30 PM PT

Chairman's Reception

Marconi Automotive Museum

Shuttle transportation will be provided.

January 30, 2025

07:00 AM PT - 08:00 AM PT

Networking Breakfast

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

07:00 AM PT - 05:30 PM PT

Event Registration and Member Services

Pacific Ballroom Foyer, Banquet 2 Level

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - Reverse Logistics and Damaged Defective Batteries

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This session will cover reverse logistics and the associated regulation in §173.157 and shipping damaged/defective lithium batteries in §173.185(f).

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - IME SLP 22 and 23 Updated Standards

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Tom Snyder

This session will focus on recent updates to the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) SLP 22 and 23 standards that were adopted by PHMSA in a recent update to documents adopted by reference in §171.7.

08:00 AM PT - 09:30 AM PT

Morning Training Session - Infectious Substances/Regulated Medical Waste

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This course will focus on the transportation of infectious substances and the associated packaging and hazard communication.

08:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Morning Long Session - Multi-Unit Tank Car Tanks

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructors: Tom Krolak and Steve Eastman

This session will take a deep dive into the transportation of multi-unit tank car tanks and the associated regulations, including the TDG regulations.

09:30 AM PT - 10:00 AM PT

Networking Refreshment Break | Sponsored by Cassidy's Transfer and Storage

Sponsored by Cassidy’s Transfer and Storage.

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - Reverse Logistics and Damaged Defective Batteries

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This session will cover reverse logistics and the associated regulation in §173.157 and shipping damaged/defective lithium batteries in §173.185(f).

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - IME SLP 22 and 23 Updated Standards

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Tom Snyder

This session will focus on recent updates to the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) SLP 22 and 23 standards that were adopted by PHMSA in a recent update to documents adopted by reference in §171.7.

10:00 AM PT - 11:30 AM PT

Repeat of Morning Training Session - Infectious Substances/Regulated Medical Waste

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This course will focus on the transportation of infectious substances and the associated packaging and hazard communication.

11:30 AM PT - 01:00 PM PT

Lunch on Your Own

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Difference between TDG and 49 CFR

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructors: Steve Eastman and Nick Wright

This session will focus on the transportation of hazardous materials/dangerous goods between the U.S. and Canada and the difference between the regulations in 49 CFR and Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Hazmat Cargo Tank Compliance Review Prep

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Mike Colaner

This session will focus on preparation for a compliance review when you are transporting hazardous materials in specification cargo tanks and the unique preparation associated with the cargo tanks

01:00 PM PT - 02:30 PM PT

Afternoon Training Session - Hazardous Substances/Marine Pollutants

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This session will focus on the transportation of hazardous substances and marine pollutants and the associated regulations.

01:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Afternoon Long Session - Hazmat Incident Response

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Instructors: Bill Reese and Scott Maguire

This session will focus on emergency response safety and will serve as a refresher for person’s trained to the OSHA Awareness Level for emergency responders.

02:30 PM PT - 03:00 PM PT

Networking Refreshment and Snack Break | Sponsored by Twin Lake Trucking LTD

Sponsored by Twin Lake Trucking LTD.

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Difference between TDG and 49 CFR

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Instructors: Steve Eastman and Nick Wright

This session will focus on the transportation of hazardous materials/dangerous goods between the U.S. and Canada and the difference between the regulations in 49 CFR and Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Hazmat Cargo Tank Compliance Review Prep

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Leve

Instructor: Mike Colaner

This session will focus on preparation for a compliance review when you are transporting hazardous materials in specification cargo tanks and the unique preparation associated with the cargo tanks

03:00 PM PT - 04:30 PM PT

Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Hazardous Substances/Marine Pollutants

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: PHMSA

This session will focus on the transportation of hazardous substances and marine pollutants and the associated regulations.

04:30 PM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Region Meeting: Region I (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands and Vermont.

04:30 PM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Region Meeting: Region II (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)

Pacific Ballroom 1, Banquet 2 Level

Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

04:30 PM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Region Meeting: Region III (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)

Laguna Beach, Banquet 1 Level

Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ohio, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Yukon.

04:30 PM PT - 05:00 PM PT

Region Meeting: Region IV (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)

Pacific Ballroom 2, Banquet 2 Level

Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

05:00 PM PT - 06:00 PM PT

Information Session - Life After Law Enforcement

Emerald Bay, Banquet 2 Level

Instructor: Kenny Ray

This session is intended for enforcement officers who are at the end of their careers or ready to make a change and move to the industry side of hazardous materials. Kenny Ray is a former Texas State Trooper who currently works in the insurance industry. He will give you some advice and tools to use when making this transition

January 31, 2025

07:00 AM PT - 10:30 AM PT

Member Services

Pacific Ballroom Foyer, Banquet 2 Level

07:00 AM PT - 08:00 AM PT

Networking Breakfast

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

08:00 AM PT - 12:00 PM PT

Training Session - Class 3 Hazmat

Catalina Ballroom, Lobby Level

Instructors: Matt Mullen and Tom Fuller

This session will focus on Class 3 flammable liquids and combustible liquids. The course material is from curriculum that was recently revised and taught during regional COHMED training courses.

10:00 AM PT - 10:30 AM PT

Networking Refreshment Break

Pacific Ballroom 3-4, Banquet 2 Level

12:00 PM PT - 01:00 PM PT

Lunch on Your Own

01:00 PM PT - 03:00 PM PT

COHMED Leadership Meeting (Invitation Only)

Laguna Beach 3, Banquet 1 Level