Unless otherwise noted, all scheduled sessions will take place at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. The schedule is subject to change.
January 23, 2023
08:00 AM CT - 05:00 PM CT
Level VI Inspection Certification Refresher
Live Oak, Hill Country 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 CT - 05:00 PM CT
Event Registration and Member Services
Los Rios Foyer, Ballroom Level
10:00 AM CT - 12:00 PM CT
U.S. HMRs and Canadian TDG Regulations Town Hall
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Instructors: TBD
Do you have burning questions about the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) or Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations you would like answered? In this session, those questions will be answered. Note: Questions must be submitted prior to the conference, so we have time to prepare the answers and related materials. Questions must be sent in advance to Bill Reese.
01:00 PM CT - 05:00 PM CT
Training Session - Verifying Cargo Tank Facilities On-site and During Roadside Inspections
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Instructors: JP Gibbons and Mike Colaner, NATC Inc.
This session will review the critical role cargo tank (CT) facilities play in transporting bulk hazardous materials. During first portion of this session, we will discuss and demonstrate what to focus on during an on-site audit of a CT facility. During the second portion, we will go over how to verify during a roadside inspection that the CT facility has performed tests and inspections properly. Both the U.S. Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations and Canadian B620 requirements will be reviewed and compared. The latest issues on composite cargo tanks and cargo tank motor vehicles will be included. Bring a new notebook for this one.
03:00 PM CT - 03:30 PM CT
Network Refreshment and Snack Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
05:15 PM CT - 06:15 PM CT
Introduction to COHMED
Live Oak, Hill Country 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 24, 2023
07:00 AM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Event Registration and Member Services
Los Rios Foyer, Ballroom Level
07:00 AM CT - 08:30 AM CT
Networking Breakfast
Regency Ballroom West Foyer, Ballroom Level
08:30 AM CT - 09:30 AM CT
General Session and Regulatory Updates
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Moderator: Sgt. Kevin Hogan, Michigan State Police, COHMED Chair
- Welcome Remarks – Sgt. Kevin Hogan, Michigan State Police, COHMED Chair
- CVSA President’s Welcome Remarks – Maj. Chris Nordloh, Texas Department of Public Safety
- Stand-up Introductions of Attendees
- COHMED Awards (Read about the awards)
09:30 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
Networking Refreshment Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
10:00 AM CT - 12:00 PM CT
General Session and Regulatory Updates (Continued)
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Moderator: Sgt. Kevin Hogan, Michigan State Police, COHMED Chair
Federal Panel for Regulatory Updates
- Transport Canada Regulatory Update
- FMCSA Regulatory Update
- PHMSA Regulatory Update
12:00 PM CT - 01:30 PM CT
Lunch on Your Own
01:30 PM CT - 03:30 PM CT
Hazmat Olympics
Regency DE, Ballroom 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.
03:30 PM CT - 04:00 PM CT
Networking Refreshment and Snack Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
04:00 PM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region I Enforcement Meeting
Rio Grande Center, Ballroom Level
Region I Chair: Sgt. Carl Huddleston, New Hampshire State Police
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 CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region II Enforcement Meeting
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Region II Chair: Sgt. Brad Gibson, Texas Department of Public Safety
Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
04:00 PM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region III Enforcement Meeting
Rio Grande West, Ballroom Level
Region III Chair: Sgt. Glenn Goode, Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Iowa Department of Transportation
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 CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region IV Enforcement Meeting
Live Oak, Hill Country Level
Region IV Chair: Matt Caudill, Montana Department of Transportation
Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
04:00 PM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Industry Meeting
Chula Vista, 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 CT - 08:30 PM CT
Welcome Networking Reception
Regency West, Ballroom Level
January 25, 2023
07:00 AM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Event Registration and Member Services
Los Rios Foyer, Ballroom Level
07:00 AM CT - 08:00 AM CT
Networking Breakfast
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
07:00 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
FMCSA HM Team Meeting (Invitation Only)
Live Oak, Hill Country Level
08:00 AM CT - 09:30 AM CT
Morning Training Session - Specification Vacuum Trucks
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Tom Forbes, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Vacuum trucks are commonly used in the hazmat industry, especially for cleaning hazmat spills. They may transport hazardous waste. Many of these vacuum trucks are specification cargo tanks. In this session, we will discuss specification vacuum trucks and the associated regulations.
08:00 AM CT - 09:30 AM CT
Morning Training Session - Secret Squirrel
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Nick Wright, Kansas Highway Patrol
Do you ever ask yourself, “where is that regulation?” You know it’s somewhere but can’t find it. This session will help answer that question, as well as cover some of the hidden and lesser-known regulations, including exceptions.
08:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Bulk Cylinders/UN Pressure Vessels (Advanced Track)
Regency West H, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Bill Reese, CVSA; Suzanne Lessard, Transport Canada; and Venessa Talbot, Transport Canada
This session will cover UN pressure receptacles and bulk DOT cylinders. The use of UN pressure receptacles is on the increase. Instruction will cover the different types of UN pressure receptacles and associated uses, bulk DOT cylinders and the associated uses, and cylinders not authorized for use in the U.S. and/or Canada. Note: This is an advanced session and will take the entire morning to complete.
09:30 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
Networking Refreshment Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
10:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Repeat of Morning Training Session - Specification Vacuum Trucks
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Tom Forbes, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Vacuum trucks are commonly used in the hazmat industry, especially for cleaning hazmat spills. They may transport hazardous waste. Many of these vacuum trucks are specification cargo tanks. In this session, we will discuss specification vacuum trucks and the associated regulations.
10:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Repeat of Morning Training Session - Secret Squirrel
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Nick Wright, Kansas Highway Patrol
Do you ever ask yourself, “where is that regulation?” You know it’s somewhere but can’t find it. This session will help answer that question, as well as cover some of the hidden and lesser-known regulations, including exceptions.
11:30 AM CT - 01:00 PM CT
Lunch on Your Own
01:00 PM CT - 02:30 PM CT
Afternoon Training Session - Most Challenged Hazmat Violations
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Scott Valentine, FMCSA
This session will cover the top hazmat violations that are challenged on roadside hazardous materials inspections.
01:00 PM CT - 02:30 PM CT
Afternoon Training Session - U.S. Safety and Security Plans and Canada’s Emergency Response Assistance Plan
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Roberto Bruni, Transport Canada; Venessa Talbot, Transport Canada; and Dan Richards, PHMSA
This session will cover the safety and security plans and associated applicability in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 172, Subpart I, and the Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) regulations for dangerous goods shipments transported in Canada.
01:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Lithium Battery Transportation (Advanced Track)
Regency West H, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Bill Reese, CVSA; Katie Morton, CVSA; Jim Boehringer, JEB Environmental Services; and Suzanne Lessard, Transport Canada
The use of lithium batteries continues to increase, which means more lithium batteries are being transported in commerce, including initial-use lithium batteries and used batteries for recycling. This course will introduce the class participants to the types of lithium batteries and common uses; lithium battery chemistry and safety; lithium battery classification in §173.185, including exceptions; shipping papers, when required; marking; labeling; placarding; emergency response; incident investigation; and undeclared lithium battery shipments. Note: This is an advanced session and will take the entire afternoon to complete.
02:30 PM CT - 03:00 PM CT
Networking Refreshment and Snack Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
03:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Most Challenged Hazmat Violations
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Scott Valentine, FMCSA
This session will cover the top hazmat violations that are challenged on roadside hazardous materials inspections.
03:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - U.S. Safety and Security Plans and Canada’s Emergency Response Assistance Plan
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Roberto Bruni, Transport Canada; Venessa Talbot, Transport Canada; and Dan Richards, PHMSA
This session will cover the safety and security plans and associated applicability in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 172, Subpart I, and the Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) regulations for dangerous goods shipments transported in Canada.
06:30 PM CT - 08:30 PM CT
Chairman's Reception
Howl at the Moon
January 26, 2023
07:00 AM CT - 08:00 AM CT
Networking Breakfast
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
07:00 AM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Event Registration and Member Services
Los Rios Foyer, Ballroom Level
08:00 AM CT - 09:30 AM CT
Morning Training Session - Railroad Crossing Incidents
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Glen Rudner
In this session, a review of commercial motor vehicle crashes at railroad crossings with an emphasis on hazmat incidents will be discussed.
08:00 AM CT - 09:30 AM CT
Morning Training Session - HM Non-bulk Scenarios for NAIC
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Brad Gibson, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Venessa Talbot, Transport Canada
This session will be a hands-on opportunity to mirror the non-bulk inspection problems inspectors who attend the North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) complete during the competition.
08:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Transportation and Use of Pesticides (Advanced Track)
Regency West H, Ballroom Level
Transportation and Use of Pesticides (Advanced Track)
Instructors: Adam Balk, Wilbur Ellis; Sarah Sims, Wilbur Ellis; and Bill Reese, CVSA
This session will cover common pesticides in detail, including classification, marking, labeling, placarding, packaging and the associated hazards. Note: This is an advanced session and will take the entire morning to complete.
09:30 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
Networking Refreshment Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
10:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Repeat of Morning Training Session - Railroad Crossing Incidents
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Glen Rudner
In this session, a review of commercial motor vehicle crashes at railroad crossings with an emphasis on hazmat incidents will be discussed.
10:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Repeat of Morning Training Session - HM Non-bulk Scenarios for NAIC
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Brad Gibson, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Venessa Talbot, Transport Canada
This session will be a hands-on opportunity to mirror the non-bulk inspection problems inspectors who attend the North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) complete during the competition.
11:30 AM CT - 01:00 PM CT
Lunch on Your Own
01:00 PM CT - 02:30 PM CT
Afternoon Training Session - NTSB Investigation – NH3 Incident in Illinois
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Shawn Currie, National Transportation Safety Board
This session will cover a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into an incident that involved a large release of anhydrous ammonia from nurse tanks in Illinois.
01:00 PM CT - 02:30 PM CT
Afternoon Training Session - Organic Peroxides – Basic Principles and Concerns for Enforcement and Industry
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Jim Boehringer, J.E.B. Environmental Services
This session will give you an overview of Division 5.2 organic peroxides, associated hazards and shipping regulations.
01:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
MC330/MC331 Cargo Tanks (Advanced Track)
Regency West H, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Juel Leuis, FMCSA; and Chad Bernbeck, FMCSA
This session will cover the inspection process for high-pressure MC330 and MC331 cargo tanks. It will include hands-on training with training tanks in the classroom. Note: This is an advanced session and will take the entire afternoon to complete.
02:30 PM CT - 03:00 PM CT
Networking Refreshment and Snack Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
03:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - NTSB Investigation – NH3 Incident in Illinois
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Shawn Currie, National Transportation Safety Board
This session will cover a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into an incident that involved a large release of anhydrous ammonia from nurse tanks in Illinois.
03:00 PM CT - 04:30 PM CT
Repeat of Afternoon Training Session - Organic Peroxides – Basic Principles and Concerns for Enforcement and Industry
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Instructor: Jim Boehringer, J.E.B. Environmental Services
This session will give you an overview of Division 5.2 organic peroxides, associated hazards and shipping regulations.
04:30 PM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region Meeting: Region I (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)
Regency West F, Ballroom Level
Region I Chair: Sgt. Carl Huddleston, New Hampshire State Police
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 CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region Meeting: Region II (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)
Rio Grande West, Ballroom Level
Region II Chair: Sgt. Brad Gibson, Texas Department of Public Safety
Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
04:30 PM CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region Meeting: Region III (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)
Regency West G, Ballroom Level
Region III Chair: Sgt. Glenn Goode, Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Iowa Department of Transportation
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 CT - 05:30 PM CT
Region Meeting: Region IV (Joint Meeting of Industry and Law Enforcement)
Regency West H, Ballroom Level
Region IV Chair: Matt Caudill, Montana Department of Transportation
Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
January 27, 2023
07:00 AM CT - 12:00 PM CT
Member Services
Los Rios Foyer, Ballroom Level
07:00 AM CT - 08:00 AM CT
Networking Breakfast
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
08:00 AM CT - 12:00 PM CT
Class 7 for the Non-Level VI Inspector
Regency West, Ballroom Level
Instructors: Carlisle Smith, CVSA, and the Level VI Instructor Staff
This session will focus on inspecting Class 7 radioactive materials that are commonly shipped but do not fall under the Level VI Inspection criteria. These materials include radioactive materials, such as radiopharmaceuticals, density gauges, radiography cameras and smoke detectors
09:30 AM CT - 10:00 AM CT
Networking Refreshment Break
Regency West Foyer, Ballroom Level
12:00 PM CT - 01:00 PM CT
Lunch on Your Own
01:00 PM CT - 03:00 PM CT
COHMED Leadership Meeting (Invitation Only)
Mesquite