Emergency Response Guidebook

A map of the world with warning signs

The Emergency Response Guidebook 2024 is now available. Get your ERG 2024 today!

The Emergency Response Guidebook was developed by Transport Canada, the US Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Transport and Communications of Mexico, with help from the Centro de Informaciòn Quìmica para Emergencias of Argentina.

This guidebook is for firefighters, police, and other emergency responders who are often the first to arrive at a transportation incident involving dangerous goods.

This guide will help first responders:

  • identify hazards based on the material involved in a transportation incident
  • protect themselves and the public during the initial response to an incident

This guide is designed for dangerous goods incidents on a highway or rail line. It may be less useful at fixed-facility locations, on aircrafts or vessels.

This guide does not:

  • include information on the physical or chemical properties of dangerous goods
  • replace emergency response training, knowledge, and good judgment
  • address every possible factor related to a dangerous goods incident

Take the time to read the guidebook before using it in an emergency!

On this page

Get a copy of the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook

  • Get a printed copy of the 2024 guidebook
  • Download the mobile app version of the 2024 guidebook (coming soon)
  • Access the web version of the 2024 guidebook (coming soon)
  • Download the PDF version of the 2024 guidebook (coming soon)

Get a copy of the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook

Spanish versions

Notes on the 2024 edition

Training resources

Questions

We welcome your questions or feedback, especially comments about using the guidebook for incidents that involve dangerous goods. Please send feedback to:

CANUTEC
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
Suite 1403 - 330 Sparks St
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5

Phone: 613-992-4624
Fax: 613-954-5101
Email: canutec@tc.gc.ca

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