HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 1 - Intro to HazMat
Test Review
▪ Emergency response organizations are responsible for preparing their personnel for HazMat when it may be encountered during the normal course of work.
▪ NFPA standards are considered consensus standards while OSHA produces governmental regulations.
▪ First responders include firefighters, police officers, EMS workers, industrial emergency response personnel, utility workers, & other members of private industry.
▪ HazMat is termed "Dangerous Goods" in Canada.
▪ Transporation modes for HazMats include road, rail, water, air, & pipelines.
▪ HazMat can be encountered at ordinary facilities such as service stations, hardware stores, doctor's offices, school labs, agriculture & Co-Op stores, farms, & residences.
▪ Tanker trucks are found in every jurisdiction.
▪ Liquid & gaseous products are carried in pipelines.
▪ Doctor's offices & medical buildings can contain hazardous chemicals, etiological agents, & radiation hazards.
▪ Paints, thinners, & garden chemicals are considered HazMats & can be found in hardware stores.
|First responder responsibilities include: |
|Pre-incident planning, recognition, incident control |
|Determination of HazMat types, properties, & characteristics |
|Methods used to transport/handle HazMat |
|Defensive actions |
|Local, state, & federal regulations for HazMat |
▪ A HazMat incident is one that involves a substance that has been released or is on fire.
▪ Causes of HazMat incidents, such as human error, package failure, & vehicle accidents/derailments, cannot be regulated by law.
▪ Government regulations for HazMat covers issues such as packaging, labeling, inspection/operation of fixed facilities, & transportation vehicles/methods.
▪ Operations that may have to be performed simultaneously at a HazMat incident include: Rescue, Evacuation/Sheltering in Place, Exposure Protection, Confinement/Containment, & Emergency Notification.
▪ Awareness level personnel are responsible for recognition/presence of HazMat, protecting themselves, calling for assistance, & securing the area.
▪ Securing a HazMat incident is a basic measure for first responders.
▪ Operations level first responders normal duties include responding in a defensive manner.
▪ Operations level first responders are responsible for all 4 awareness level responsibilities plus confining the release in a defensive fashion from a safe distance.
▪ All HazMat incidents can be viewed as learning experiences regardless of their magnitude.
▪ The potential for a HazMat incident can exist any time during a material's lifetime, whether in raw form or when mixed or refined.
▪ Some materials become more dangerous after they are refined.
▪ Materials that are ready to be consumed or used in any physical state may be stored as a gas or a liquid.
▪ Chlorine may be used or stored as a gas in industry, but is used in the liquid state in household bleach.
▪ Some hazardous waste is treated to remove or destroy its dangerous properties while some is sold for raw material.
▪ Hazardous wastes such as improperly stored mixed materials, flammable liquids, heavy metals, and various carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens, have been found in lagoons, pits, septic tanks, storage vessels, and drums.
▪ Hazardous waste must be stored in a special container specified by law and must be secured in a facility permitted as a hazardous waste site.
▪ When assessing risk of rescuing a life, the responder should evaluate the risk to rescuers, probability of victim survival, difficulty of rescue, capabilities/resources of on-scene forces, possibility of explosions & sudden material release, available escape routes, distance/time constraints.
▪ Many HazMat incident will require agencies such as Fire, Police, EMS, the material's Manufacturer/Shipper, Government Agencies, Technical Support Groups (CHEMTREC/CANUTEC), and Specialized Emergency Response Groups.
▪ When agencies pre-plan together, vital resource information can be shared and rapport between agencies can be developed.
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 2 - Properties of HazMat
Test Review
▪ HazMat may be elements, compounds, or mixtures found in gaseous, liquid, or solid states or in a combination of states.
▪ An exposure may be acute (single occurence) or chronic (long-term, re-occuring) and may have health effects that are immediate or delayed.
▪ Threats/harmful effects of HazMat include: thermal, mechanical, poisonous, corrosive, asphyxiation, radiation, and etiological.
▪ Living microorganisms that cause diseases, such as hepatitis and tuberculosis, are etiological agents.
▪ Mechanical exposures from direct contact or fragments can result in blisters, bruises, and lacerations.
▪ Thermal effects (related to temperature extremes) can cause heat stress, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat stroke, and frostbite.
▪ Cold exposure from cryogenic substances such as refrigerated liquids and liquified gases can cause serious tissue damage.
▪ The core temperature of an individual is the deep temperature of the body, not the skin/extremity temperature.
|Heat Exposure Facts |
|CONDITION |SIGNS/SYMPTOMS |CAUSES |
|Heat Stroke |NO perspiration, SHALLOW breathing, RAPID pulse, Headache, Weakness, |Occurs after heat exhaustion stage, true emergency |
| |Temp 105oF or higher, Hot/Dry/Red skin, Confusion, Convulsion, Loss | |
| |of Consciousness | |
|Heat Cramps |Muscle Cramps, HEAVY perspiration, Physical weakness, MOIST skin |Occurs after heavy exertion and exposure to high |
| | |temperatures as a result of excessive salt loss |
|Heat Exhaustion |MILDLY elevated temperature, WEAK pulse, Dizziness, PROFUSE sweating,|Occurs with prolonged physical work in a hot |
| |Cool/Moist/Pale skin |environment, Causes a mild form of traumatic shock |
| | |due to body not being able to release excessive heat |
|Heat Rash |Intolerance to heat, mainly an annoyance |Occurs when continuous heat/humid air contacts skin. |
▪ Carbonated drinks should be avoided to replenish body fluids.
▪ Balanced diets usually provide enough salts to prevent cramping.
▪ Long cotton undergarments provide natural body ventilation.
▪ Mobile showers/misting facilities can be used to reduce body temperature and cool protective clothing.
▪ Alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated drinks contribute to dehydration and heat stress.
▪ Liquid oxygen (LOX), nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, and liquid natural gas (LNG) are examples of cryogenic materials.
▪ Cryogens can freeze materials, including human tissue, instantly.
▪ Fluorine is an example of a cryogen that is also a corrosive, oxidizer, and poison hazard.
▪ Cryogenic/liquified gases vaporize quickly when released from their containers.
▪ Frost Nip/Incipient Frostbite consists of whitening or blanching of skin.
▪ Superficial frostbite consists of waxy or white skin, outer layers of skin firm to touch, and underlying layers of tissue being flexible.
▪ Deep frostbite consists of cold, pale, skin that is solid to touch.
▪ Systemic hypothermia consists of shivering, sleepiness, apathy, listlessness, core temperature 1L/kg/hour |
|5.1 |[pic] |Oxidizers |Ammonium nitrate |Gives off oxygen |
|5.2 |[pic] |Organic peroxides |Ethyl ketone peroxide |Organic compound containing oxygen in the bivalent -O-O- |
| | | | |structure (considered a derivative of hydrogen peroxide) where |
| | | | |hydrogen atoms are replaced with organic radicals |
|6.1 |[pic] |Poisonous |Arsenic |Poisonous materials other than gases, known to be toxic to |
| | | | |humans and hazardous during transport |
|6.2 |[pic] |Infectious (etiological |Rabies, HIV, Hepatitis B |Viable organism or its toxin that causes disease in humans or |
| | |agent) | |animals, includes Department of Health and Human Services agents|
| | | | |and others that cause or may cause severe, disabling, or fatal |
| | | | |disease |
|7 |[pic] |Radioactive materials |Cobalt |Materials having specific gravity greater than 0.002 |
| | | | |microcuries/gram |
|8 |[pic] |Corrosives |Sulfuric acid, sodium |Liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible |
| | | |hydroxide |alterations to human skin or a liquid with a severe corrosion |
| | | | |rate on steel or aluminum |
|9 |[pic] |Other regulated materials|Consumer commodities |Materials with anesthetic, noxious, or similar properties that |
| | | | |cause extreme annoyance or discomfort, or hazardous |
| | | | |wastes/substances per 49 CFR 171.8 to include elevated |
| | | | |temperature materials |
▪ A UN HazMat Identification Number (UNID) is a 4-digit number assigned to each material listed in the DOT ERG.
▪ The 4 essential pieces of information required to be "communicated" by shippers and carriers of HazMat include: Shipping Papers, Markings, Labels, and Placards.
▪ DOT does not specify the type of document to be used as shipping papers for a HazMat.
▪ Shipping papers such as a bill of lading, waybill, or similar document can provide information about a HazMat being transported.
▪ Hazardous waste shipments must be accompanied by a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest document.
▪ Descriptions on a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest must include: Proper shipping name, Hazard class, Packing group, and quantity.
▪ Required information on shipping papers includes: Shipper name/address, Receiver name/address, Proper shipping names for materials, UN/NA number, packing group, gross weight/volume, HazMat listed first on list, "X" or "RQ" placed before shipping name in HM column for HazMats, and Emergency response phone number.
|SHIPPING PAPER IDENTIFICATION |
|Transport Mode |Shipping Paper Name |Location of Papers |Responsible Party |
|Air |Air Bill |Cockpit |Pilot |
|Highway |Bill of Lading |Cab of Vehicle |Driver |
|Rail |Waybill/Consist |Engine or Caboose |Conductor |
|Water |Dangerous Cargo Manifest |Bridge or Pilot House |Captain or Master |
▪ DOT marking requirements for containers include: Proper shipping name, UN ID number, and name/address of consignee.
▪ Container labels are simply small replicas of vehicle placards and may or may not have written text identifying the material.
▪ DOT placards are used on bulk packages, freight containers, unit load devices (aircraft), motor vehicles, and rail cars.
▪ Placards are NOT required for shipments of infectious substances (Class 6.2), ORM-D, limited/small quantity packages, or combustible liquids in non-bulk packaging.
▪ A transport vehicle/container that contains non-bulk packaging with 2 or more HazMats may be placarded DANGEROUS.
▪ The word "GASOLINE" may be used instead of "FLAMMABLE" or "FUEL OIL" instead of "COMBUSTIBLE" on a placard displayed on a cargo tank or highway transport.
▪ Transport vehicles and freight containers that contain lading which has been fumigated or treated with a poisonous liquid, solid, or gas, AND is offered for transport by rail, must have a "FUMIGATION" placard attached on or near each door.
▪ Some states do NOT require placarding of HazMat shipments if origin and destination are within the same state.
▪ Dedicated railcars transport a single material (name of material painted on car).
▪ Manufacturer's name/logo may be painted on dedicated railcars and is usually the largest printing on the container.
▪ White railcars with a horizontal red stripe and two vertical 3 foot red stripes on each end indicate hydrogen cyanide, however, it can be shipped in a noncolor-coded car.
▪ Non-tank railcars include trailers-on-flatcars (TOFCs) and containers-on-flatcars (COFCs).
▪ Some boxcars contain alcohol burning heaters to keep material from freezing.
|HAZMAT TRANSPORT VEHICLES |
|Cargo Tank Trucks |
|Shape/Classification |Materials Carried |Specs/Info |
|[pic] |Flammable Liquids (Gasoline, |Tank vapor pressure under 3 psi |
|MC-306/DOT-406 |Alcohol) |Elliptical aluminum tank |
|(Atmospheric Pressure) |Combustible Liquids (fuel oil) |Longitudinal rollover protection |
| |Division 6.1 Poisons |Valving/unloading control box under tank |
| |Liquid food products |Vapor recovery on right side and rear (not all have vapor |
| | |recovery) |
| | |Manhole assemblies/vapor recovery valves above each |
| | |compartment. |
|[pic] |Flammables, corrosives, poisons|Single or double top manhole assembly protected by a flash |
|MC-307/DOT-407 | |box (also provides rollover protection) |
|(Low-Pressure) |Chemicals with pressures under |Circumferential rollover protection at each end |
| |40 psi at 70oF |Single outlet discharge piping at midship or rear |
| | |Double shell with covered ring stiffeners (some have external|
| | |ring stiffeners) |
| | |Fusible plugs, frangible disks, or "Christmas Tree" vents on |
| | |top of tank |
| | |Drain hose from flash box down side of tank |
| | |Rounded ends |
| | |Permanent ownership markings |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|[pic] |Corrosive Liquids |Small diameter "cigar shape" |
|MC-312/DOT-412 |Usually Acids |Exterior stiffener rings |
|(Corrosive Liquid Carrier) | |Rear or middle top-loading/unloading with exterior piping |
| | |extending to bottom of tank |
| | |Splash guard around piping (serves as rollover protection) |
| | |Extra circumferential rollover protection at front of tank |
| | |Flange-type rupture disk vent inside or outside splash guard |
| | |Discoloration or painted area around loading/unloading area |
| | |from corrosive (paint is corrosive-resistant) |
| | |Permanent ownership marks |
|[pic] |Liquefied gases |Large hemispherical heads on both ends |
|MC-331 |Propane |Bolted manhole on rear |
|(High-Pressure Carrier) |Butane |Guard cage around bottom loading/unloading piping |
| |Anhydrous ammonia |Uninsulated tank, single shell vessel |
| | |Usually painted white |
| | |Permanent markings such as FLAMMABLE GAS, COMPRESSED GAS or |
| | |manufacturer name |
|[pic] |Liquefied gases |Carries gases that have been liquefied through temperature |
|MC-338 |Liquid Oxygen (LOX) |reduction |
|(Cryogenic Liquid Carrier) |Nitrogen |Large bulky double shell with heavy insulation |
| |Hydrogen |Ends are flat |
| |Carbon Dioxide |Loading/unloading station at rear or in front of rear dual |
| | |wheels under tank |
| | |Permanent markings such as REFRIGERATED LIQUID or |
| | |manufacturer name (i.e.-Air Products, Union Carbide) |
| | |Material name may be stenciled on tank |
|[pic] |Compressed gases |Can NOT carry liquefied gases |
|Compressed Gas Trailer |Air, Argon, Helium, Hydrogen, |Several horizontal tubes on trailer/intermodal unit |
|(Tube Trailer) |Nitrogen, Oxygen, refrigerant |Manifold enclosed at rear |
| |gases |Permanent marking for material/ownership (i.e.-AIRCO, Liquid |
| | |Air) |
|[pic] |Materials in dry bulk or slurry|Large, sloping, V-shaped bottom unloading compartments |
|Dry Bulk Carrier |form |Rear-mounted, auxiliary-engine-powered compressor or power |
| | |take-off air compressor |
| | |Exterior loading and bottom unloading pipes |
| | |Top manhole assemblies |
|Multiple carrier types |Molten Material |Carriers include tank trucks or large metal pots on trailer |
|(No Photo Available) | |Carriers keep material molten for several hours |
|Elevated Temperature Carrier | |Marking of "HOT" will be affixed to carrier |
| | |Marked either ALUMINUM MOLTEN or MOLTEN SULFUR |
|Railroad Tank Cars |
|Shape/Classification |Materials Carried |Specs/Info |
|[pic] |Flammable/Non-flammable liquefied |Protective housing around manhole, valves, |
|DOT-105, 109, 112, and 114 |gases, poisons, and other hazardous |gaging rod, and sampling well |
|(Pressure Tank Railcar) |liquids |Can have shell capacity in excess of 30,000 |
| |i.e.-Ethylene oxide, anhydrous |gallons |
| |hydrofluoric acid, motor fuel antiknock|Gas carried is actually 80% liquid |
| |compounds |Pressurized tank cars carrying flammable gases |
| | |are covered by a thermal jacket or protective |
| | |coating. |
| | |Visual characteristics include valve enclosure |
| | |at top and NO piping under car. |
| | |Ends of an insulated/jacketed car will be less |
| | |rounded than single-shell car. |
|[pic] |Flammable/combustible liquids, |Also known as general service or low-pressure |
|DOT-103, 104, 111, 115 |flammable solids, oxidizers, Division |tank car |
|(Non-Pressure Tank Railcar) |6.1 poisons, organic peroxides, molten |Not distinguishable from those carrying |
| |solids, and corrosives |non-hazardous material unless commodity name is|
| |Also non-hazardous materials such as |present |
| |fruit juices, molasses, tomato paste, |May be lined, insulated, or single-shelled |
| |and tallow |Capacities may be in excess of 30,000 gallons |
| | |Distinguished from pressure cars by visible |
| | |fittings or expansion dome |
| | |Tank railcars that carry corrosives are usually|
| | |smaller. |
| | |Sulfuric acid cars are limited to 14,000 |
| | |gallons and have no plumbing underneath (also |
| | |have black band around car under dome) |
| | |May have up to 6 compartments |
|[pic] |Argon |Capacities from 15,000-30,000 gallons |
|Cryogenic Tank Railcar |Nitrogen |Not transported completely full |
| |Hydrogen |Safety vent is set at 16 psi |
| |Oxygen |May be enclosed in a boxcar |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|Intermodal Tank Containers |
|[pic] |
|General Info |Designed to be used interchangeably with multiple modes of transportation (i.e. |
| |rail, highway, waterway) |
| |Generally a cylinder enclosed at both ends with framework |
| |Tube modules, compartmented tanks, and other shapes may be found in intermodals |
| |Box type intermodal frames encloses the tank in a cage, while beam-type encloses |
| |only the ends of the tank |
| |Capacity ordinarily does NOT exceed 6,340 gallons (Spec 51 up to 5,500 gal.) |
| |Marked with initials (reporting marks) and tank number (on right side of tank) |
| |Tank will display country code and four digit size/type code (first two |
| |number=container length/height, second two number=pressure range) |
| |Common sizes codes of intermodal containers: |
| |20 (20' x 8'), 22 (20' x 8'6"), 24 (20' x >8'6") |
|IM-101 |Working pressure of 25.4 to 100 psig |
|(NON-Pressure Intermodal Container) |Transports hazardous and non-hazardous materials |
| |Most common type of intermodal container (IM-101/IM-102) |
| |Internationally know as IM Type 1 |
|IM-102 |Working pressure of 14.5 to 25.4 psig |
|(NON-Pressure Intermodal Container) |Transports materials such as alcohols, pesticides, resins, industrial solvents, |
| |and flammables with flash points between 32oF and 140oF |
| |Commonly transports non-regulated materials such as food commodities |
| |Internationally known as IMO Type 2 |
| |Working pressure of 100 to 500 psig |
|Spec 51/IMO Type 5 |Usually transports liquefied gases |
|(Specialized Pressure Intermodal Container) |DOT classifies as Spec 51, known internationally as IMO Type 5 |
|Specialized Intermodal Containers |Cryogenic liquid tank containers carry refrigerated liquid gases argon, oxygen, |
| |and helium |
| |Tube intermodal models carry gases in high-pressure cylinders (3,000-5,000 psi) |
▪ Bulk packaging refers to a package, other than vessel/barge, in which HazMats are loaded with no intermediate form of containment.
▪ Common types of non-bulk packaging include: drums, boxes, bags, bottles, carboys, wooden/cardboard barrels, and portable tanks/bins.
▪ Compressed gas cylinders range in size from pint (liter) size to railcar size.
▪ All approved cylinders with the exception of poison cylinders, contain safety-relief devices.
|Safety Relief Devices |
|Type |Action |
|Spring Loaded |Recloses after operation |
|Heat-Fusible plugs |Heat activated |
|Pressure-Activated |Bursting disk completely empties container |
▪ There is no specific color-coding system in place for cylinders, however, manufacturers may have their own color-coding.
▪ Nearly all military ordinance are designed to inflict great bodily harm and/or heavy property damage.
|Military Symbols & Meanings |
|[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |
|Class 1 |Class 2 |Class 3 |Class 4 |Chemical Hazard|Apply no Water |Wear Protective Mask |
|Mass Detonation |Explosion with |Mass Fire Hazard |Moderate Fire | | |or Breathing Apparatus|
| |Fragmentation | |Hazard | | | |
▪ Canadian forces have 9 classes of explosives.
▪ The EPA regulates the manufacturing and labeling of pesticides.
▪ Pesticide labels must contain the signal words: DANGER/POISON, WARNING, or CAUTION.
▪ DANGER/POISON labels for pesticides are used for highly toxic materials, WARNING for moderately toxic, and CAUTION for low toxicity.
▪ EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE must appear on pesticide labels if the flash point of the material is below 80oF.
▪ CHEMTREC can provide information on pesticides based on the EPA registration number (PCP # in Canada).
▪ Information on pesticide labels may include: modes of entry into body (inhalation, absorption, injection, ingestion), requirements for storage/disposal, first aid info, and antidotes.
▪ The DOT Office of Pipeline Safety regulates HazMat pipelines.
▪ Pipeline markers must be present at railroad crossings, and in sufficient numbers along the length of the pipeline.
▪ Pipeline markers show the word WARNING and contain info describing transported commodity, phone number/name of carrier.
▪ The EPA requires a warning label on any containers, transformers, or capacitors that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
▪ Methods for detecting HazMat include: observing container shapes, placards, labels, or physical signs of leaking containers such as vapor, frost, and chemical reactions.
|Monitoring Equipment |
|Type |Designed Use |
|Combustible-Gas/Explosive Meter |Measure concentration of flammable gas in air |
|Oxygen Meter |Measures Oxygen concentration in air (oxygen-enriched/deficient) |
|Toxicity Monitoring Device |Detects presence of, and concentration of specific chemicals |
| |Types range from simple colormetric tubes to sophisticated devices |
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 4 - Hazard & Risk Assessment
Test Review
▪ The first step in successful mitigation of an incident is recognizing that HazMat is present.
▪ Mitigation is defined as those actions taken to lessen the harm or hostile nature of an incident.
▪ "Immediate Concern" at an incident includes specific tasks (preventative measures) and can be performed by the first responder with minimal or no risk.
▪ Primary objectives at an incident include specific "goal-oriented" tasks that can be identified by first responders, but must be executed by personnel with more advanced training and equipment.
▪ Immediate concern tasks can be performed upon arrival at incident and require no special equipment.
▪ The General Emergency Behavior Model (GEMBO) includes: Identifying types of STRESS, and predicting type of BREACH, type of RELEASE, dispersion pattern "ENGULF", length of exposure "CONTACT", and hazard causing the HARM.
▪ Areas of concern for size-up include: rescue, exposure, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, ventilation, and salvage.
▪ Decisions to be made in regards to areas of concern include: presence of HazMat, estimation of harm without intervention, choosing response objectives, identifying action options, and evaluating progress.
▪ Executing immediate concern tasks increases life safety.
▪ Immediate concern tasks include: isolating the area, denying access, evacuation/sheltering in place, diking, diverting, eliminating ignition sources, and cooling tanks exposed to heat/fire.
▪ The operational goal of an incident is termed the Primary Objective.
▪ First responders may identify the primary objective, however, personnel with more training/equipment are generally needed to accomplish the objective.
▪ Examples of primary objectives include: extinguishing fire, stabilizing scene, controlling vapor clouds, stopping leaks, and diking/damming.
▪ Allowing a fire to burn out is sometimes the most sound strategy.
▪ Successful completion of the primary objective depends on location/severity of incident, material properties, container damage, resource availability, first responders limitations, and accuracy of tactics.
▪ Strategic objectives are established after reviewing planning documents, technical data, and factors affecting the situation.
▪ Strategic objectives are based on their ability to achieve them, to prevent further injuries/deaths, and to minimize further damage to property/environment.
▪ Strategies are either defensive (confinement to a specific area), offensive (actions to control incident), or non-intervention (allowing incident to run its course).
▪ Plugging a hole in a drum is an example of an offensive strategy.
▪ The decision making acronym IFSTA stands for Identify problem, Formulate objectives, Select alternatives, Take appropriate action, and Analyze outcomes.
|Incident Handling (IFSTA acronym) |
|Identify nature of problem |Where is incident in relation to exposures? |
| |What HazMats are involved? |
| |What hazard classes and quantities involved? |
| |Reactions with material possible? |
| |Liquid, solid, or gas? |
| |Fire involved? |
| |Container type and condition? |
| |Time elapsed? |
| |Personnel, equipment, extinguishing agents available? |
| |Private fire protection available? |
| |Weather conditions? |
| |What has already been done? |
|Formulate objectives |Put objectives in the form of a statement of what they hope to accomplish. |
| |Objective could be short term or long term. |
|Select alternatives/options |This step determines the plan of action and the resultant tactics. |
| |Options should initiate conclusion of the immediate emergency, ensure its termination, and avoid creation of any |
| |new problems. |
| |How much loss can the community accept as a result of any proposed actions? |
|Take action |Implementation of the Tactical Plan. |
| |Orders have to be clear and concise. |
|Analyze outcomes |Continually analyze progress of current tactical plan and address need for alternative plan. |
|General Emergency Behavior Model (GEBMO) |
|GEBMO evaulated 6 specific conditions related to an incident |
|S |Defined as a stimulus causing strain (excessive tension/compression), pressure (force applied at right angles), or deformity (distortion |
|T |by torque/twisting) |
|R |Almost 1/4 of all reported HazMat incidents are caused by container failure |
|E |Common stressors include: |
|S |THERMAL-Excessive heat/cold, causing intolerable expansion, contraction, weakening, or consumption of container and its parts. May also |
|S |increase internal pressure and reduce shell integrity. |
| |CHEMICAL-Uncontrolled reactions/interactions of contents (i.e.-two chemicals placed in same container) |
| |MECHANICAL-physical application of energy resulting in container/attachment damage (i.e.-crushing, abrading, scoring). |
|B |Defined as stressed beyond its limits of recovery |
|R |The 5 types of breaches include: |
|E |DISINTEGRATION-general loss of integrity (i.e.-glass bottle shattering/grenade exploding) |
|A |RUNAWAY CRACKING-crack that rapidly grows, breaking container into two or more pieces (associated with closed containers such as |
|C |drums/tank cars) |
|H |ATTACHMENTS/CLOSURES OPENING UP-container attachments, valves, or relief devices open or break off |
| |PUNCTURE-usually a result of mechanical stress (i.e.-forklift puncturing drum) |
| |SPLIT OR TEAR-(i.e.-failure of welded seam or ripped seam on bag) |
|R |Most likely results in release of material |
|E |The 4 ways containment systems release their contents include: |
|L |DETONATION-instantaneous and explosive release (also includes fragmentation, disintegration, or shattering of container) |
|E |VIOLENT RUPTURE-immediately release of chemical or mechanical energy caused by runaway cracks, ballistic-like behavior or localized |
|A |projection of container/contents, occurs within time frame of 1 second or less |
|S |RAPID RELIEF-fast release from safety relief devices, piping, or valving that occurs in a period of several seconds to several minutes |
|E |SPILL/LEAK-slow release of material through holes, rips, or tears, occurring over several minutes to several days |
|E |Defined as dispersion of material |
|N |Factors affecting dispersion of material include: |
|G |Physical/Chemical Properties |
|U |Weather Conditions |
|L |Duration of Release |
|F |Control Efforts of Responders |
| |The outline of dispersing HazMat is sometimes called the "footprint" |
| |Descriptions of "footprints" include: |
| |HEMISPHERIC-semicircular or dome-shaped pattern of airborne HazMat partially in contact with ground or water |
| |CLOUD-ball-shaped pattern of airborne HazMat that has risen above the ground or water |
| |PLUME-irregularly-shaped pattern of airborne HazMat where wind/topography influences downrange course |
| |CONE-triangular-shaped pattern of HazMat with point source at breach and wide base downwind |
| |STREAM-surface-following pattern of fluid HazMat affected by gravity/topography |
| |POOL-flat and circle-shaped pattern of HazMat on surface of ground/water (no wind, no contour) |
| |IRREGULAR-irregular or indiscriminant deposit of HazMat (carried around by contaminated persons) |
|C |Time frames are related to contact of surrounding exposures by the HazMat |
|O |The four general time frames for contacts (impingements) include: |
|N |IMMEDIATE-milliseconds to seconds (i.e.-deflagration, detonation, explosion) |
|T |SHORT TERM-minutes to hours (i.e.-gas or vapor cloud) |
|A |MEDIUM TERM-days to months (i.e.-lingering pesticides) |
|C |LONG TERM-years to generations (i.e.-permanent radioactive source) |
|T | |
|H |Defined as injury or damage caused by exposure to HazMat |
|A |Factors that determine harm include: |
|R |TIMING OF RELEASE-speed of escaping material and length of exposure |
|M |SIZE-size of area covered by release |
| |TOXICITY-relative level of harm |
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 5 - Personal Protective Equipment
Test Review
▪ Personal protective equipment consists of SCBA and either structural firefighting, high temperature, or chemical-protective clothing.
▪ Use of chemical protective clothing requires training above the first responder level.
|EPA Established Protective Equipment Levels |
|Level |Use |
|Level A |Highest level of protection against vapors, gases, mists, and |
| |particles |
| |Totally encapsulating (wearer and SCBA covered) |
|Level B |Protection against splashes |
| |Worn when vapor-protective clothing is not required |
| |Specific types of gloves/boots are donned depending on chemical |
|Level C |Same as Level B suit, except other breathing equipment may be used in |
| |place of SCBA (air purifying respirator) |
|Level D |Ordinary work clothes |
| |Not adequate for first responders |
| |Provides no respiratory protection and minimal skin protection |
▪ No single combination of protective equipment can protect against all hazards.
▪ Structural firefighting clothing is designed for protection from heat, moisture, and ordinary hazards of structure fires.
▪ Full protective clothing is defined as helmet, SCBA, turnout coat/pants, protective boots/hood, and gloves.
▪ Acids and bases can dissolve/deteriorate structural fire fighting gear, and gases can penetrate the garment.
▪ Rubber or neoprene in boots, gloves, and SCBA masks can be permeated by chemicals and render them unsafe.
▪ The manufacturer of chemical-protective suits must list chemicals the suit is compatible with.
▪ Chemical-protective clothing comes in re-usable (must be deconned/tested) and limited-use (disposable) versions.
▪ Reusable chemical-protective clothing can retain some chemicals even after decon and "leach" inward or outward days or even weeks later.
▪ Vapor-protective, support-function, and high-temperature suits do not allow body heat to escape in addition to impairing wearer's mobility, vision, and communication.
▪ Liquid-splash-protective suits are made of the same type of material as vapor-protective suits, however, they are NOT designed to protect against vapors or gases.
▪ Support-function suits may be full-encapsulating.
▪ Support-function suits may NOT be used against radiological, biological, or cryogenic materials, against immersion in liquids, or in flammable, explosive, or hazardous chemical vapor atmospheres.
|High Temperature Clothing |
|Type |Use |
|Approach Suits |High levels of radiated heat |
|Proximity Suits |Permit close approach to fires for performing rescues, fire suppression, and property |
| |conservation |
|Fire Entry Suits|Highly specialized garment for work in total flame environments for short periods of time |
|Protective Breathing Equipment |
|Type |Use |
|Open-Circuit SCBA |Most commonly used |
| |Exhaled air vented to outside atmosphere |
| |Most allow 15-20 minutes of heavy work, some up to 45 minutes |
| |Positive pressure SCBA maintains a slightly increased pressure (above atmospheric) in user's facepiece |
| |The four basic SCBA component assemblies include: |
| |BACKPACK/HARNESS ASSEMBLY-holds cylinder |
| |AIR CYLINDER-cylinder, valve, and pressure gauge |
| |REGULATOR-high pressure hose and low-pressure alarm |
| |FACEPIECE-low-pressure hose, exhalation valve (with harness-mounted regulators), and head harness |
|Open-Circuit Airline |Airline attached to one or several large air cylinders connected to open-circuit facepiece, regulator, and egress |
| |cylinder |
| |Enables travel up to 300 feet from regulated air source |
| |Provides greater mobility because no backpack is worn |
| |Not commonly used by fire service, more common with industry and special HazMat cleanup companies |
| |Required 5 minute escape cylinder must not be used for "untethered" work, use 30 or 60 minute SCBA augmented by |
| |airline instead |
|Closed-Circuit SCBA |Durations from 30 minutes to 4 hours |
| |Contains small pure oxygen cylinder instead of air cylinder (weighs less) |
| |Recycles exhaled air by mixing with pure oxygen, allowing re-breathing of air |
▪ Air-purifying respirators are used to purify ambient air through a filter before inhalation.
▪ Air-purifying respirators should NOT be used during emergency operations, only in controlled atmospheres where oxygen content is at least 19.5%
|Air-Purifying Respirators |
|Type |Use |
|Particulate-Filtering|Provides protection against dusts and/or mists |
| |Filter constructed of fibrous material that traps particulates |
| |Different filters for specific chemicals |
|Vapor/Gas Removing |Provides protection against specific gases/vapors (i.e.-ammonia, mercury vapor) |
| |Removes contaminants through interaction of molecules within a granular, porous material called sorbent (method of |
| |removal is called sorption) |
| |Some use catalysts that react with contaminant to produce a less toxic gas/vapor |
| |Divided into three classes: |
| |CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE |
| |GAS MASKS |
| |PARTICULATE VAPOR/GAS-REMOVING |
|Powered Air-Purifying|Uses battery-operated blower to pass contaminated air through a product that removes contaminants. |
| |Blower may be vehicle mounted and connected to the facepiece by a long flexible tube |
|Protective Breathing Equipment Limitations |
|WEARER LIMITATIONS |EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS |AIR SUPPLY LIMITATIONS |
|PHYSICAL |Limited Visibility-reduces peripheral vision, |Physical Condition of User-poorer condition = |
|Physical Condition-sound physical condition |fogging |less air supply |
|Agility-overcome apparatus restriction of |Decreased Ability to Communicate-hinders voice |Degree of Physical Exertion-more physical |
|movement |communication |exertion = less air supply |
|Facial Features-ability to get a good |Increased Weight-adds 25-35 pounds to wearer |Emotional Stability of User-excitement = less air|
|facepiece-to-face seal |Decreased Mobility-reduces range of motion |supply |
|MEDICAL |Inadequate Oxygen Levels-air-purifying |Condition of Apparatus-minor leaks and poor |
|Neurological Functioning-good motor |respirators can NOT be worn in oxygen deficient|adjustment of regulators = less air supply |
|coordination |or IDLH atmospheres |Cylinder Pressure before Use-not filled to |
|Muscular/Skeletal Condition-physical strength|Chemical Specific-air-purifying respirators can|capacity = less air supply |
|and size |only be used to protect against certain |Training and Experience of User-properly trained |
|Cardiovascular Conditioning-good |chemicals |personnel can draw the maximum use of air supply |
|cardiovascular shape | | |
|Respiratory Functioning-to maximize operation| | |
|time | | |
|MENTAL | | |
|Adequate Training in Equipment | | |
|Use-knowledgeable in use of equipment | | |
|Self-Confidence-belief in ability | | |
|Emotional Stability-maintain control in | | |
|excited or high-stress situations | | |
▪ A doctor determines if individuals are fit to wear protective breathing apparatus.
▪ Conditions that put responders at risk when wearing respirators include: asthma, emphysema, chronic lung disease, psychological problems (claustrophobia), physical deformities/abnormalities of the face, medication usage, and intolerance to increased heart rate (i.e.-heat stress).
▪ Respirators need to be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
▪ The minimum level of protection can provided by consulting the ERG guide book's action guide pages and health hazards emergency action section.
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 6 - Command, Safety, and Scene Control
Test Review
▪ Local emergency planning committees must address areas such as HazMat facilities, transportation routes, methods/procedures for handling HazMat incidents, methods to warn people at risk, HazMat equipment/information resources, evacuation plans, training of first responders, and exercising the LERP.
▪ Canadian emergency plans are referred to as emergency measures organization (EMO) plans.
▪ Initial information received about an incident is called external communication, while information received after responders arrive on scene is called internal communication.
▪ External communications begin with gathering information during pre-incident planning on HazMats present.
▪ The telephone is the most commonly used medium for reporting an emergency.
▪ Information gathered by a dispatcher about an incident should include: location of incident, name, phone, and location of caller, identity of substance, approximate quantity, weather conditions, number/proximity of persons threatened, brief description of events leading to and existing threats, summary of control actions, type of assistance needed, and call-back info.
▪ Dispatchers should be included in first responder training sessions/exercises.
▪ "Internal Communication" begins when emergency personnel arrive on scene.
▪ Dispatcher's responsibilities during an incident include: establishing internal or external clear-line communications with technical advisors, notifying mutual aid agencies, activating departmental procedures, and advising next-in-line supervisors and chief officers of incident.
▪ Dispatchers must relay ALL information received without filtering, editing, deleting, or changing information.
▪ On scene command personnel should talk directly to technical advisors when possible.
▪ CHEMTREC and CANUTEC should be used to provide information in the early stages of an incident.
▪ An awareness level first responder's mission is to implement the jurisdiction's SOPs.
▪ Standard awareness level procedures include: recognizing HazMat is present, calling for appropriate help, securing the area, surveying the incident from a safe distance, and determining the appropriate actions as recommended by the ERG.
▪ In addition to awareness level tasks, operations level first responders must define the problem, design a defense, and direct execution of the IAP.
▪ "Defining the Problem" at an incident includes: surveying condition of containers, estimating nature/extent of release, observing conditions, gathering/sharing info, predicting incident's future course, and estimating harm.
▪ "Designing a Defense" includes: establishing defensive goals, identifying defensive tactical options, ensuring appropriateness of training/PPE of personnel to take action, and preparing for emergency decon.
▪ "Direct Execution of the IAP" includes: establishing protective zones, activating IMS system, using PPE, carrying out defensive actions, evaulating/reporting incident progress, and performing emergency decon.
▪ Required aspects of command structure for IMS includes: common terminology, modular organization, integrated communication, and a unified command structure.
▪ Either the first person on the scene or the ranking individual of the first company on the scene should assume command.
▪ The Incident Commander (IC) is responsible for the development, implementation, and documentation of the IAP.
▪ The IC is responsible for establishing the site safety plan, implementing site security/control zones, designating a safety officer, identifying materials/conditions involved, implementing emergency operations, ensuring PPE is worn, and establishing decon plan and operation.
▪ The safety officer is responsible for maintaining communications with IC, identifying hazardous situations, participation in incident planning, reviewing IAPs for safety, and identifying/correcting unsafe situations.
▪ Size-up is the mental process of considering all available factors that will immediately affect the incident during the course of operation, also called Hazard Assessment.
▪ Hazard assessment is a continual evaluation that starts with pre-incident planning and continues through the course of the incident.
▪ Hazards assessment info gathered at the time of alarm includes: nature/location of call, equipment responding, time of day, and weather.
▪ Additional info gathered when performing size-up includes: evaluating response route, reviewing plans/sketches, noting arrival times of other units, noting exposure types/distances, reviewing hydrant/water supplies, making preliminary plans for apparatus placement, securing additional info from dispatch, and deciding if additional units are needed.
▪ Conditions on scene that must be evaluated include life hazards, materials involved, path of fire/material travel, and actions already taken.
▪ The three strategic goals in order of priority are life safety, environmental protection, and property conservation.
|Modes of Operation |
|Mode |Description |
|Non-Intervention |Responders take no direct actions |
| |Mode is selected when one or more of the following is present: |
| |Facility or LERP calls for it based on pre-incident evaluation |
| |Situation is already beyond capabilities of responders |
| |Explosions are imminent |
| |Serious container damage threatens mass release |
| |When operating in non-intervention mode, first responders should: |
| |Withdraw to safe distance |
| |Report scene conditions to dispatch |
| |Establish scene control and initiate IMS |
| |Initiate evacuation |
| |Call for additional resources |
|Defensive |Responders seek to confine emergency to a given area without directly contacting materials |
| |Defensive mode is selected when one or more of the following are present: |
| |Facility or LERP calls for it based on pre-incident evaluation |
| |Responders have training/equipment to confine incident to area of origin |
| |When operating in defensive mode, first responders should: |
| |Report scene conditions to dispatch |
| |Establish scene control and initiate IMS |
| |Establish/indicate zone boundaries |
| |Commence evacuation if necessary |
| |Control material spread by diverting and constructing dikes/dams to confine |
| |Control ignition sources |
| |Call for additional resources |
|Offensive |Responders take aggressive, direct action on the material, container, or equipment involved |
| |Offensive actions are beyond the scope of first responders and must be conducted by highly trained HazMat personnel |
|HazMat Incident Levels (Criteria & Examples) |
|Criteria for |Extent of municipal, county, state, and federal involvement |
|Determining Level |Level of expertise required |
| |Extent of evacuation |
| |Extent of injury/death |
|Level I |Small fuel spill from automobile |
|Incident |Leak from natural gas line on consumer side of meter |
| |Broken containers of "consumer commodity" containers such as paints, thinners, bleach, swimming pool chemicals, and |
| |fertilizers (owner normally responsible for cleanup) |
|Level II |Response Actions |
|Incident |Chemical protective clothing used |
| |Diking and confining within contaminated areas |
| |Plugging/patching operations |
| |Sampling/testing unknown substances |
| |Various levels of decon performed |
| |Examples |
| |Spill/leak that causes wide-spread evacuation |
| |Major accidents, spillage, or overflows of flammable liquids |
| |Spill/leak of unknown chemicals |
| |Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) involved |
| |Underground pipeline rupture |
| |Fire posing a BLEVE hazard |
| |Leaking, overturned tanker |
|Level III |Response Actions |
|Incident |Specialists from industry/governmental agencies |
| |Sophisticated sampling/monitoring equipment |
| |Specialized leak/spill control |
| |Large scale decon |
| |Examples |
| |Evacuation extending across jurisdictional boundaries |
| |Incidents beyond control of local HazMat response team |
| |Incidents that activate federal response system |
▪ For safety purposes, all responders should be briefed on the immediate goal, who performs which task, operation completion time, how to call for help, escape routes, material's effects, and signs/symptoms of exposure.
▪ Precautions to maximize safety include: avoid contact with vapor, mist, dust, and smoke, maintain safe distance (stay outside hot zone), use available shielding, and anticipate changes such as weather and delayed material reactions.
▪ Factors that have bearing on the IAP include: weather, topography, water, occupancies, community transport systems, utilities, and zero energy state (locking down power/energy sources).
▪ Container integrity, safety devices, leaking, and stability should be observed when looking for changes in container stability.
|Examples of Ignition Sources |
|Internal combustion engines |Electric motors, |Lighting |Fuel-powered equipment |Open/pilot flames |
| |switches, and |equipment | | |
| |controllers | | | |
|Electrostatic/frictional |Heated metal surfaces |Smoking |Fuses, flares, torpedoes, |Radios, hand lights, pagers, |
|sparks | |materials |lanterns |PASS devices |
▪ The process for establishing the initial isolation distance at a HazMat incident is covered in the ERG (green-bordered pages) and is size-related (small or large).
▪ To use the ERG, the material must be identified.
|Initial Isolation Zone |
|Establishing Zone |Evacuee Handling |
|Station responder at approaches/refuse entry |Decon evacuees if necessary |
|Activate local alarm devices |Record evacuees' identities |
|Reroute traffic away from scene |Perform triage/treatment |
|Put up physical barriers (i.e.-tape, rope, barricades) |NOTE: performing triage/treatment of evacuees can reduce false |
|Transmit warnings over PA systems |claims of injury later. |
|Broadcast alert via media | |
|Stage responders adequate distance away | |
▪ The protective action zone is the area immediately adjacent to and downwind from the initial isolation zone.
▪ Options for protective actions include: evacuation, protection-in-place, or combination of both.
|Decision-Making Factors of Protective Actions |
|Material Considerations |Toxicity, Quantity, Rate of Release, Possibility of Control, Direction of Spread |
|Environmental Conditions |Wind Direction/Velocity, Temperature, Humidity, Precipitation, Topography |
|Population at Risk |Population Density, Proximity, Warning/Notification Systems, Methods of Transport, Ability to Control, |
| |Special Needs |
▪ Evacuate means to move all people from a threatened area to a safer place.
▪ Protection-in-place means to direct people to go quickly inside a building and to remain inside until the danger passes.
▪ Factors affecting protection-in-place include: material spreading to rapidly, material too toxic, vapors heavier than air (people in high-rise), and unable to initiate evacuation (i.e.-health care, detention facility).
▪ Vehicles are NOT as effective as protection-in-place as buildings.
|IFSTAs Acronym for Establishing Scene Control |
|Identify material name/ID number |
|Find corresponding name/ID number in green ERG pages |
|Size the spill (by container/amount) |
|Take the distance from Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distance in ERG |
|Apply appropriate protective action |
|seek additional information in ERG |
▪ Alternative names for "Hot" zones include: Restricted Zone, Exclusion Zone, and Red Zone.
▪ Alternative names for "Warm" zones include: Contamination Reduction Zone, Limited Access Zone, and Yellow Zone.
▪ Alternative names for "Cold" zones include: Support Zone and Green Zone.
|Scene Control Zones |
|Hot Zone |Area surrounding incident that is contaminated |
| |Area exposed to gases, vapors, mists, dusts, and runoff of material |
| |Extends far enough to prevent people outside the zone from suffering ill efects |
| |Work inside this zone is generally limited to HazMat Technicians (Intervention Team) |
|Warm Zone |Area abutting the hot zone and extending to cold zone |
| |Considered safe to enter without "special" protective clothing |
| |Zone is used to support workers in hot zone |
| |Decon takes place in this zone (decon corridor) |
| |Forward access point and safe haven located in this zone |
| |HazMat Control Officer is located in this zone |
|Cold Zone |Encompasses the warm zone and is used to carry out all other support functions |
| |Command post, staging area, and triage/treatment is in this zone |
| |Safety officer, timekeeper, backup team, and equipment cache in this zone |
▪ A command post can be a predetermined location, a conveniently located building, or a radio-equipped vehicle in the cold zone.
▪ It is NOT absolutely necessary that the command post be able to observe the scene, however, it is ideal.
▪ A common identifier of a command post is a green flashing light.
▪ The staging area should be located in the cold zone where occupants cannot interfere with operations.
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 7 - Tactical Priorities & Defensive Control Strategies
Test Review
Steps on pages 170-171 have been omitted from notes
▪ Tactical priorities place the greatest emphasis on life safety.
▪ The officer in charge of each assigned work group should develop tactical objectives to complete the strategic objectives set forth by the IC.
▪ Tactical objectives are determined by the identity of the material, the material's potential harm, and how much has escaped, including the container's condition.
▪ Categories of material identities include: known/poses a threat, known/poses no threat, and unknown.
▪ Worst case scenario actions should include: controlling all ignition sources, protecting material from heat, shock, or contamination, confining runoff, and avoiding contact.
▪ Stress on a container may cause no apparent damage, damage with NO material release, damage with material release, and damage with material release and fire.
▪ The order in which tactical priorities must be carried out are 1) Rescue, 2) Exposure Protection, 3) Fire Extinguishment, 4) Confinement, 5) Containment, and 6) Recovery.
▪ Rescue is ALWAYS the first tactical priority.
▪ If rescue is too time-consuming or dangerous, protection-in-place should be considered.
▪ Factors affecting rescue efforts include: nature of HazMat, incident severity, availability of proper PPE, number of victims and their condition, time to complete rescue, and equipment needed.
▪ The IC must establish an escape plan and signal to initiate the plan prior to a rescue.
▪ Tactics for exposure protection include protecting people, the environment, and property not yet directly involved.
▪ In terms of protecting the environment, the air, surface water, wildlife, water table, and land surface should be considered.
▪ Lives or the environment must not be unduly compromised to save property.
▪ The third tactical priority at a HazMat incident may be fire extinguishment (if fire is present).
▪ Letting a HazMat burn is appropriate if personnel or environmental risks are too great (i.e.-pesticides, flammable liquids).
▪ Burning spills should only be extinguished completely when flow of materials has been or can be immediately controlled.
▪ When "shut-offs" cannot be completed immediately, hoselines/portable equipement can be used to decrease the intensity of fire, permitting controlled burning at leak site.
▪ Pressurized gas fires should not be extinguished until the flow of gas can be stopped.
▪ Confinement is the process of controlling the flow of a HazMat spill and capturing it at a specified location (primarily a defensive action).
▪ HazMat can be confined by building dams/dikes, catching it in another container, or redirecting it to a remote location for collection (diverting).
▪ Some necessary tools for containment include: shovels (dams), salvage covers (catch basins), and charged hoselines (diversion channels).
▪ Large or rapidly-spreading spills may require heavy construction equipment, floating booms, or special sewer/storm drain plugs.
▪ Confinement can be used for control of no only liquids, but dusts, vapors, and gases by covering with a fine spray, earth, plastic sheets, or salvage covers.
▪ Some gases can be confined by absorption in a container of water.
▪ Confinement is dictated by material type, rate of release, speed of spread, personnel available, tools/equipment available, weather, and topography.
▪ Containment is the act of stopping the further release of a material from its container.
▪ Containment is an offensive action performed at the HazMat technician level.
|Containment Factors |
|Condition of Container |Can container withstand operation? |
| |Will changes in material behavior affect container? |
|Material Properties |Is containment proper if release happens? |
| |Will released material contact responders, if so what are risks? |
| |Is material changing states? |
|Rate of Release |Can material be controlled before container is empty? |
| |Sufficient resources present for size of breach? |
|Incident Assessment |Will leaking materials explode or react violently? |
| |Will containment devices hold until recovery operations end? |
▪ Recovery is the final priority at an incident and includes hazard removal and cleanup.
▪ First responders may be needed during cleanup to provide cooling streams, maintaining scene control, or assisting with salvage.
▪ Defensive control measures are those which are used to contain and/or confine a material.
|Defensive Control Actions |
|Absorption |Physical and/or chemical event occurring during contact between materials that have an attraction for each other |
| |The bulk of material being absorbed enters the structure of the absorbing medium |
| |Diatomaceous earth, sawdust, and ground corn cobs are common absorbents |
|Confinement |Consists of diking, daming, diverting, and retaining |
| |Action taken to control flow of liquid HazMat away from point of discharge |
| |Dams may be used to permit surface water or runoff ro pass over the dam and hold HazMat back |
| |Diverting away from gutters, drains, storm sewers, flood control channels, and outfalls are common. |
|Dilution |The application of water to a water-soluble material to reduce the hazard |
| |Effective dilution increases the overall volume and creates a runoff problem |
|Vapor Dispersion |Action taken to direct or influence the course of airborne HazMat |
| |Runoff must be confined and analyzed |
|Vapor Suppression |Action taken to reduce the emission of vapors at a HazMat spill by applying foam |
| |Water miscible materials such as alcohols, esters, and ketones, require alcohol-resistant foam for suppression |
▪ Foam drainage time is the time required for one-fourth of the total liquid solution to drain from the foam.
▪ Foam expansion ratio is the volume of finished foam that results from a unit volume of foam solution.
▪ The greater the expansion ratio of foam, the thicker the foam blanket.
▪ All foams, except fluoroprotein foams, should NOT be plunged directly into a spill.
▪ All Class B foams, except special foams made for acids and alkaline spills (no longer produced or sold), may be used for both firefighting and vapor suppression.
▪ Water streams should not be used in conjunction with foam application.
▪ Foam can NOT seal vapors of boiling liquids (material must be below boiling point).
▪ If the film that precedes the foam blanket cannot be seen, as with AFFF, continue to re-apply until spill is covered.
▪ Hydrocarbon fuels, such as crude oil, fuel oil, gasoline, benzene, naptha, jet fuel, and kerosene, are petroleum based and float on water.
▪ Standard fire fighting foam can float on the surface of hydrocarbon fuels.
▪ Polar solvent fuels, such as alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, ketones, and esters, are flammable liquids that are miscible in water.
▪ Polar solvents require special alcohol-resistant (polymeric) foams.
▪ Foam extinguishes and/or prevents fire by smothering (prevents air/flammable vapors from combining), separating (intervenes between fuel and fire), cooling (lowers temperature of fuel and adjacent surfaces), and suppressing (prevents release of flammable vapors).
▪ Foam expansion is the ratio of final foam volume to original foam solution volume.
▪ Foam concentrate is the raw foam liquid before introduction of water and air.
▪ Foam proportioners are devices that introduce the correct amount of foam concentrate into the water stream to make the foam solution.
▪ Finished foam is the completed product after the foam solution reaches the nozzle and air is introduced into the solution (aeration).
▪ Line proportioners and foam nozzles (also called foam makers) are designed to work together.
▪ Foams designed solely for hydrocarbon fires will NOT extinguish polar solvent fires at any concentration.
▪ Low-expansion foams are also used for vapor suppression on unignited spills.
▪ Medium- and high-expansion foams are especially useful for basement, mine shaft, and subterranean fires.
▪ Unignited spills require lower application rates because radiant heat, open flame, and thermal drafts are not present to break down the foam.
▪ Fire fighting foam concentrate is manufactured with either a synthetic or protein base.
▪ Synthetic-based foams are made from a mixture of detergents, while protein foams are derived from plant or animal matter.
▪ Subsurface injection is the process of injecting a fluoroprotein foam at the base of a storage tank and allowing it to surface and extinguish the fire.
▪ Water from AFFF actually drains from the foam and rests on the surface of the fuel.
▪ Alcohol-resistant AFFF creates a membrane, rather than film, over the fuel, that acts as a barrier to prevent attack of the solvent on the foam blanket.
|Foam Characteristics |
|Type |Characteristics |
|Protein |Chemically hydrolyzed (broken down) protein (animal) solids |
| |For hydrocarbon fires ONLY |
| |Must NOT be plunged into the fuel |
|Fluoroprotein |Essentially protein foams that have been fortified with fluorinated surfactants |
| |CAN be plunged into the fuel |
| |Can be used with fresh or salt water |
| |Good water retention and excellent resistance to heat |
| |Not affected by freeze/thaw |
| |Can be stored premixed (short period of time) |
| |Maintains low viscosity at low storage/use temperatures |
| |Compatible with simultaneous use of dry chemical |
| |Can be made alcohol-resistant by adding ammonia salts suspended in organic solvents (alcohol-resistive for |
| |about 15 minutes) |
|FFFP |Not affected by freeze/thaw |
| |Can be stored premixed |
| |Compatible with simultaneous use of dry chemical |
| |Available in alcohol-resistive form with same regular FFFP capabilities |
|AFFF |Premixable in portable fire extinguishers and apparatus water tanks |
| |Can be freeze-protected with non-flammable anti-freeze solution |
| |Good low-temperature viscosity |
| |Air-excluding film floats ahead of foam blanket, resulting in knockdown, and foam blanket follows providing |
| |further insulation |
| |Alcohol-resistant formulas can be used on hydrocarbon and polar solvent fires |
| |Alcohol-resistant AFFF can NOT be premixed |
|HazMat Vapor Mitigating |Designed solely for unignited spills of hazardous liquids |
| |No longer commercially available |
|Medium/High Expansion |Used to extinguish pesticide and concealed space fires, suppress fuming acid vapors, and fixed-extinguishing |
| |systems (industrial). |
| |Not affected by freeze/thaw |
| |Attacks galvanized/raw steel on prolonged contact |
| |Use outdoors, generally not recommended due to wind |
▪ The two basic pieces of equipment needed to produce foam are foam proportioner and foam nozzle.
▪ Foam proportioners and foam nozzles must match to produce usable foam.
▪ Balanced-Pressure and Around-the-Pump proportioners are apparatus mounted units.
|Foam Proportioners |
|Line Eductors |Simplest to use and least expensive |
| |No moving parts in the waterway |
| |Types: In-line eductor and Self-educting master stream nozzle |
| |Use Venturi principle to draft foam concentrate |
|Balanced-Pressure |Foam concentrate line is connected to each discharge outlet |
| |Concentrate supplied by pump separate from main fire pump |
|Around-the-Pump |Consists of small return line from the discharge side of pump back to the intake side of the pump |
| |Rated for a specific flow |
▪ Nozzles designed to add air to the foam solution are called foam nozzles.
▪ The most effective appliance for the generation of low-expansion foam is the air-aspirating foam nozzle.
▪ Standard fixed-flow fog nozzles are used to produce low-expansion, short-lasting foam, and can NOT be used with protein and fluoroprotein foams or alcohol-resistant FFFP and AFFF foams.
▪ Automatic foam nozzles operate like fixed-flow nozzles, providing that the eductor is operated at the inlet pressure for which it was designed (also requires nozzle to be fully open).
▪ High-expansion foam generators produce a high-air-content, semi-stable foam.
▪ The two basic types of high-expansion foam generators are the mechanical blower and water-aspirating nozzle.
▪ Water-aspirating high-expansion foam nozzles are larger and longer than other foam nozzles.
▪ High expansion foam nozzles produce a medium expansion foam inside the nozzle before passing it through a screen or series of screens at the end of the nozzle to produce high-expansion foam.
▪ The back of high-expansion foam nozzles is an open-design to draw in air.
▪ Mechanical blower foam generators resemble smoke ejectors and are typically associated with total-flooding applications.
▪ The most common reasons for failure to produce quality foam include:
▪ Failure to match eductor with nozzle flow (results in no pickup of concentrate
▪ Air leaks at fittings (loss of suction)
▪ Improper cleaning (clogged foam passages)
▪ Partially closed nozzles (higher nozzle pressure, hence, unmatched pressure)
▪ To long a hose lay on discharge side of eductor (excessive backpressure)
▪ Kinked hose
▪ Nozzle too far above eductor (excessive elevation pressure)
▪ Mixing different types of foam concentrate in same tank (incompatibility)
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 8 - Incident Control Strategies & Tactics
Test Review
▪ Explosive materials are used in military applications and in mining, logging, construction, and demolition operations.
▪ Explosives must be protected from open flame, excessive heat, friction, impact, electrical shock, and chemical contamination.
▪ Decomposition of explosives is indicated by crystallized residue or internal contents leaking through the exterior.
▪ A "cartridge" is a case that contains an explosive charge for blasting.
▪ Types of detonators include: fuse blasting caps and electric blasting caps.
▪ A number of explosives, principally blasting agents such as ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, certain emulsions, slurries, and water gels, are shipped in bulk in special cargo trucks.
▪ Dynamite is packed in various paper or fiberboard cartridges.
|Explosives Packaging |
|Cartridge |Fiberboard box |
|Large Cartridge |Heavy-walled, spiral-wound fiberboard tubes |
|Emulsions, Slurries, Water Gels|Plastic tubes or paper cartridges |
|Detonators |Fiberboard case (similar to dynamite box) |
|Black/Smokeless Powder |1-pound metal cans inside fiberboard cases (usually holds 50 cans) |
| |Larger shipments of Black Powder may be shipped in large metal kegs or in plastic bags within a fiberboard |
| |case. |
|Blasting Agents |Multi-walled paper sack (similar to cement sacks) |
|(i.e.-ammonium nitrate) | |
▪ Sacks used to ship explosives have a plastic liner to keep moisture out.
▪ For explosives incidents with NO fire, protect cargo, reroute bystanders, control ignition sources, review shipping papers, visually inspect the load, and consult technical specialists.
▪ For explosives incidents involving fire, isolate the area, deny entry, and evacuate.
▪ DOT recommends that explosives fires NOT be attacked.
▪ The destructive power of an explosives blast is radiated equally in ALL directions.
▪ If explosives detonate, first responders should gain control of scene, isolate area, initiate rescue, perform triage/treatment, and control fires that threaten remaining exposures.
▪ Runoff from explosives can cause long-term environmental threats.
▪ Generically, containers that hold compressed gases are called "pressure vessels".
▪ Chlorine is commonly found in one-ton cylinders at water treatment plants.
▪ The three basic containers for gases are pressure cylinders, pressure tanks, and pipelines.
▪ Pressure cylinders are manufactured in accordance to US DOT requirements.
▪ Pressure tanks are manufactured in accordance to API or ASME.
▪ Pressure tanks are most commonly found in fixed installations, but may be seen on motor vehicles and railcars.
▪ All pressure cylinders and pressure tanks are made of steel except those for disposable and lift-truck types which can be made of aluminum.
▪ All pressure cylinders/tanks, except those containing poison gases (i.e.-methyl bormide, hydrogen cyanide) or some disposable types, must have some type of pressure-relieving device.
▪ The most common type of compressed-gas-carrying pipeline is those which carry municipal natural gas.
▪ Industrial gases such as oxygen, anhydrous ammonia, and hydrogen, may be transported through pipelines.
▪ Questions to ask for emergencies involving gases include: What gas is involved?, Type/size of container?, Mechanical damage?, Leak?, Fire?, Flame impingement?, Availability of water?, Can supply valve be shut off?
▪ Gas emergency procedures include: Executing rescues, Use ERG for evacuation distances, Evacuate downwind, Set up unmanned portable master streams, Deny access until specialists arrive.
▪ The primary objective for all gas leaks to shut off the flow of gas.
▪ The immediate concern when fire is involved in a non-flammable gas leak is to protect exposed tanks by cooling.
▪ The immediate concern with flammable gas leaks involving fire is to prevent ignition
▪ With toxic gases, such as chlorine or methyl bromide, a larger isolation area should be established.
▪ With LPG leaks, ignition sources up to 1/2 mile away should be considered because vapors are heavier-than-air and can flash back great distances.
▪ For gas leaks with fire/flame impingement it is ideal to direct large quantities of water onto the sides of the tank.
▪ Flame impinging on a vapor space of a tank is especially dangerous and should be cooled with large quantities of water.
▪ If a sheen of water is NOT seen rolling down the side of the tank, it is being converted to steam too quickly and is ineffective.
▪ Streams on tanks must be directed at each side to maximize total coverage of tank shell.
▪ Never extinguish flames exiting a pressure-relief device.
▪ The sharper the pitch of sound from a pressure-relief device, the greater the pressure.
▪ Pinging, popping, or snapping are indicators of tank metal being softened by heat (stretching).
▪ If dry spots are present on a tank during water application, cooling is insufficient.
▪ Bulges or bubbles on tank surfaces indicate localized heating in the vapor space.
▪ For poisonous gas leaks without fire, the immediate concern is protect life safety and exposures.
▪ Poisonous gas leaks should not be plugged by first responders.
▪ Flammable/combustible liquid tanks such as large-capacity highway tanks trucks, rail tank cars, industrial storage facilities/processes or pipelines, are NOT prone to BLEVE.
▪ The most common containers for flammable/combustible liquids are metal cans.
▪ Metal cans carrying flammable/combustible liquids are usually packaged in cardboard boxes.
▪ Pails (about 5 gallons) of flammable/combustible liquids are normally delivered on wood pallets.
▪ Drums for flammable/combustible liquids, such as bulk oils, thinners, and cleaning solvents, are usually made of metal, but some are plastic.
▪ DOT strictly forbids flammable/combustible liquids from being shipped in glass containers.
▪ DOT refers to tank trailers, tank trucks, and rail tank cars as bulk containers.
▪ Construction of highway containers may be steel, stainless steel, or aluminum (most used).
▪ On- and Off-loading of flammable/combustible liquid tanks is generally performed at the bottom of the tank, while railcars are usually top-loaded and bottom un-loaded.
▪ Most new highway tankers have vapor recovery lines.
▪ DOT regulates all US pipelines except those on the consumer's property.
▪ The primary objective for all flammable/combustible liquid spills is to stop the flow of fuel.
▪ The immediate concern for spilled flammable/combustible liquids without fire is preventing ignition of the fuel (with fire, cool tank and exposures).
▪ Flammable/combustible liquid fire tactics include: lay initial hoselines, establish continuous water supply, protect exposures, notify additional resources, evacuate, isolate, control area, establish ICS system, and control flowing liquid material.
▪ Accidents involving Class 4 materials are relatively rare.
▪ Tubes, pails, steel/fiberboard drums, cardboard boxes, and bags are used for non-bulk packaging of Class 4 materials (flammable solids, spontaneously combustible, dangerous when wet).
▪ Class 4 containers may be sealed with an inert medium that excludes air from the material.
▪ White phosphorus and sodium (class 4) are shipped in railroad tank cars.
▪ Actions for emergencies involving class 4 materials include: securing scene, establishing zones, evacuation, and calling for technical help.
▪ Metal powders are flammable solids that ignite by friction.
▪ Explosives that are wetted to suppress explosive properties are Division 4.1 flammable solids.
▪ The immediate concern of flammable solid spills without fire is preventing ignition (with fire, cool exposures).
▪ The primary objective of flammable solids without fire is to isolate/confine the material (with fire, extinguishment or controlled burning).
▪ Class D dry powders are special extinguishing powders used on small metal fires and are applied by hand, scoop, shovel, or extinguisher (should NOT be used on reactive metals).
▪ Spontaneously combustible materials are also called pyrophoric materials (ignite in contact with air) and can be liquids or solids.
▪ The immediate concern for spontaneously combustible (pyrophoric) materials without fire is keeping them wet (with fire, protect exposures).
▪ Magnesium phosphide becomes spontaneously flammable when contacting water.
▪ The best attack for Dangerous when Wet materials involved in fire is NO attack.
▪ Most Division 5.1 oxidizers, such as perchloric acid, is non-combustible but will accelerate the burning of combustible materials.
▪ Some organic peroxides are shock sensitive, heat sensitive, and/or light sensitive (explosion hazard).
▪ Common packaging for oxidizers and organic peroxides is plastic-lined, multi-ply paper bags.
▪ Oxidizers may also be packaged in metal tins within fiberboard, plastic, and metal drums.
▪ Small organic peroxide containers are vented.
▪ Hydrogen peroxide tank cars are made of aluminum.
▪ Oxidizing materials can react violently with no warning, to friction and heat.
▪ The immediate concern for spilled oxidizers without fire is isolating them from combustibles (with fire, protect exposures).
▪ Organic peroxides are especially prone to ignition.
▪ Some organic peroxides are kept refrigerated because of their low self-accelerating decomposition temperatures (SADT).
▪ Division 6.1 poisons include agricultural pesticides, cyanides, and some exotic rocket fuels.
▪ Division 6.2 etiological agents include AIDS, rabies, and botulism.
▪ Infectious substances are packaged in vials that are measured in ounces (grams) and overpacked in strong containers.
▪ The greatest danger with poisonous substances is the health threat.
▪ Poisons can cause harm through physical contact, inhalation (vapors or products of combustion), or by contact with runoff/contaminated clothing.
▪ The immediate concern of spilled poisons with/without fire is confining the spread of poison.
▪ Solid poisonous materials can be confined by covering with salvage cover or plastic sheet.
▪ Poisonous substance fires must be fought from upwind.
▪ Most infectious substances will be found in and around hospitals, laboratories, and research centers.
▪ Regulated medical wastes (biomedical symbol on bag) are included with the infectious substances under DOT regulations.
▪ Bleach will kill an infectious substance, as will heat from flame.
▪ The immediate concern of spilled infectious substances with/without fire is to protect life safety and confine spread of material.
▪ The primary objective of spilled infectious substances with/without fire is to isolate the area, deny entry, and let it burn (with fire).
▪ Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in addition to CHEMTREC/CANUTEC, can serve as resources for infectious substance incidents.
▪ Radioactive materials are those which spontaneously emit ionizing radiation.
▪ Alpha radiation is the least penetrating because of its weight.
▪ Alpha radiation travels only a few inches in air but can be ingested or inhaled.
▪ Clothing or human skin can stop alpha radiation.
▪ Beta radiation particles will travel several yards in air and can penetrate skin and clothing.
▪ Aluminum foil will provide shielding against beta radiation particles.
▪ Gamma radiation (similar to X-rays) is extremely penetrating and travels at the speed of light, requiring dense materials for shielding.
▪ Low-level commercial radioactive shipments are sent in Type A packaging such as cardboard boxes, wooden crates, metal drums, and cylinders for compressed radiological gases (i.e.-xenon).
▪ Measuring devices, such as radiography instruments and soil density meters, contain radioactive materials and technically may be considered Type A packaging.
▪ Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive material containing medicines that are usually shipped in small quantities via air due to their short half life (degradation time).
▪ Type B packaging is the strongest type of radioactive material packaging and is used for highly radioactive shipments.
▪ Type B radioactive packaging is made of steel-reinforced concrete casks, lead pipe, and heavy-gauge metal drums.
▪ Materials carried in Type B radioactive packaging include: fissionable material, high-grade raw material, nuclear fuels (new and spent), and highly radioactive metals.
▪ Time, distance, and shielding are three ways to protect against radiation exposure.
▪ Dose Rate X Exposure Time = Total Dose (Radiation).
▪ Corrosives (acids or bases) are materials that corrode, degrade, or destroy human skin, aluminum, or steel.
▪ Bases are also called caustic and alkaline.
▪ Fiberboard drums and multi-layered paper bags are used to ship acid materials and caustics in dry form.
▪ Wax bottles are used to store hydrofluoric acid because it also attacks glass.
▪ Intermodal portable tanks, tank trucks, railroad tank cars, barges, and pipelines are used to transport bulk shipments if corrosives.
▪ Corrosives can weigh up to twice as much as an equal amount of water.
▪ The immediate concern for corrosive spills without fire is to confine the spread and NOT dilute the material (with fire, confine and protected exposures).
▪ Controlling (dense) vapors from corrosive spills is considered part of confinement.
▪ The primary objective for corrosive spills with/without fire is to shut off flow, isolate area, and deny entry.
▪ For flammable corrosives, consider ignition sources.
▪ Smoke from burning corrosives can permeate fire clothing.
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 9 - Decontamination Techniques
Test Review
Steps on pages 208-209 have been omitted from notes.
▪ The spread of contaminants beyond the hot zone is termed secondary contamination.
▪ Contamination is the transfer of a HazMat to persons, equipment, and environment in greater than acceptable quantities.
▪ Exposure is the process by which people, equipment, and the environment are subjected to or come in contact with a HazMat.
▪ The magnitude of an exposure is dependent on the duration of the exposure and the concentration of the HazMat.
▪ Secondary contamination can come from workers' clothing/tools and air currents/runoff.
▪ Decontamination is the removal of contaminants from workers' PPE and tools.
▪ Decontamination occurs in the warm zone decontamination corridor that runs from the hot zone to the cold zone.
▪ Methods of decontamination include: dilution, absorption, chemical degradation, and isolation/disposal.
▪ Dilution is the decon process of using water to flush the contaminant from the contaminated victim or object.
▪ Dilution is an advantageous option of decon because of its accessibility, speed, and economy of using water (water may cause reaction with some contaminants).
▪ Absorption is the process of picking up a liquid contaminant with an absorbent (inert material).
▪ Examples of absorbents include: soil, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, and sand.
▪ An absorbents' disadvantage is that it does not alter the HazMat.
▪ Chemical degradation is the process of using another material to change the chemical structure of a HazMat.
▪ Commonly used chemical degradation chemicals include: household bleach (calcium hypochlorite), isopropyl alcohol, hydrated lime (calcium oxide), household drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and liquid detergents.
▪ Using chemical degradation can reduce cleanup costs.
▪ A disadvantage of chemical degradation for decon is the time it takes to pick a chemical to match the HazMat.
▪ Chemical degradation decon is NOT used on people.
▪ Decontamination sites should be selected according to accessibility, surface material, lighting, drains/waterways, water, and weather.
▪ Crucial time periods that make decon accessibility important are travel time in hot zone, time alotted in hot zone, travel time back to decon, and decon time.
▪ Decontamination sites should ideally slope toward the hot zone.
▪ A hard, non-porous surface is best for decon (prevents ground contamination).
▪ A cover or tarp should be used as a base for decon whether the surface is porous or not.
▪ Avoid locating decon sites near storm/sewer drains, creeks, ponds, ditches, and waterways.
▪ Weak hydrochloric acid solutions are sometimes used to neutralize caustic materials, while sodium carbonate solutions may be used to neutralize acids.
▪ Decon sites should be set up upwind of the hot zone.
▪ The decontamination corridor should be established before any work is done in the hot zone.
▪ Wading pools may be used for catch basins in decon sites.
▪ A recovery drum/container and plastic bags are needed at the decon area to store contaminated items/tools.
▪ A low-volume, low-pressure hoseline, such as garden hose is ideal for decon.
▪ Regardless of PPE worn by decon personnel, chemical gloves must be worn.
▪ Emergency decontamination is the physical process of immediately ridding dangerous contaminants from individuals and is used when special PPE fails, first responders accidentally get contaminated, and for victims with immediate medical needs.
▪ With emergency decon, there is NO regard for environment or property.
▪ SCBA and undergloves should always be the last items off during decon (breath air until end).
▪ "Gross Decon" and "Emergency Decon" are sometimes used synonymously, however, gross decon takes place as the first step in a series of decon procedures, while emergency decon usually takes place early in an incident before a basic decon has been set up.
▪ Emergency decon may be needed even after basic decon has been set up (i.e.-responder falls into acid).
▪ A portable shower can be used for emergency decon.
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- mods for minecraft xbox 360 edition download
- everyone s an author 2nd edition pdf
- mods for minecraft xbox one edition free
- living philosophy 2nd edition pdf
- the formula for newton s 2nd law
- equations for newton s 2nd law
- everyone s an author 2nd edition free pdf
- axis and allies 1942 2nd edition strategy
- learning for first grade for free
- patterns for college writing 14th edition pdf
- formula for newton s 2nd law
- equation for newton s 2nd law