1. Hazardous Materials Section Four: Planning and Implementing a Response
Analyze
Plan
Implement
Evaluate
Objectives:
Describe how to contact the proper authorities.
Describe how to plan an initial response.
Describe how to estimate the size and scope of the incident.
Describe how to identify a resource for determining the size of an endangered area.
Describe resources available for determining the concentrations of a released hazardous material.
Initiate an Incident Command System (ICS) for hazardous materials incidents.
Identify considerations for determining the location of the Incident Command Post (ICP).
Introduction
Identify resources that can assist you in the process of reporting the hazardous materials incident:
First step after determining haz-mat presence
Follow local SOP
Who to contact:
First call should be for additional resources
Make legal notifications if required
Fire fighters must follow their local standard operating procedures (SOP).
A series of contacts and notifications may have to be made based on incident type, amount, and/or complexity.
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2. On 14 August 2002, during routine chlorine transfer operations which had started at 6:30 AM, one of the 1-inch chlorine transfer hoses failed releasing chlorine. Furthermore, the automatic shutoff valves designed to shutoff the chlorine also failed to activate. According to employee interviews conducted later by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the three employees outside heard a loud pop at approximately 9:20 AM and observed a continuous release form chlorine at tank car station #3 (marked + on the photo). The three employees evacuated. The leak activated an area chlorine detection monitor audio alarm. The inside employees exited the building. The operations managers he exited tried to manually shutdown the packaging system by pressing an ESD button, but nothing happened. The system is designed to automatically shutdown based on chlorine detection levels, and although both manual and automatic shutdown systems were activated they failed to activate. Furthermore, although the facility had four self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units and employees were trained on its use, the men were unable to gather the equipment as they left the building because the equipment was too close to the spill site. The employees drove away from the area using U.S. Hwy 61 both north and south; there was no community-wide alert systems in place to warn of the chlorine spill.
The chlorine leak was stopped three hours after the transfer line break when emergency responders in protective gear “waded” through the four-foot high plume cloud and manually shut off several valves at the top of the rail tank. By that time, an estimated 48,000 lbs of chlorine had escaped over three hours time. The shelter-in-place order lasted four hours. At 5 PM, Hwy 61 was opened.
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3. Identification
No action should take place until the identity of the hazardous material is confirmed
Identification tools:
Placard/Markings/Labels/704 Diamond
Shipping papers
DOT-ERG
MSDS
NIOSH Guidebook
CHEMTREC
Notification to other responders and agencies also needs to take
place.
The State Haz-Mat Team Response System will be covered
later in this Section.
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4. NIOSH Pocket Guide September 2005
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5. NIOSH Contents Roman numeral pages contain information keys
Multiple opportunities to indentify chemical
Name, Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) #, Synonym/trade name list
Affords responders more detailed information to assist in planning
Use after material identification and DOT-ERG application
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6. Section Four

7. Identification
When researching a chemical use readily available resource information sources
DOT-ERG/NIOSH Pocket Guide/MSDS
Consult at least three different sources if possible
On-scene research should continue throughout the incident
Protection and safety of fire fighters is the first priority, and
It cannot be compromised for any reason.
If two references indicate that the use of water is acceptable
and one cautions against it, do not use water until further
information is obtained.
Use the most conservative data in planning the response.
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8. Identification
After identification, operations-level responder should ONLY perform DEFENSIVE actions that do not involve contact with the material
If unable to identify:
The most conservative response strategy and tactics must be employed
Use DOT-ERG Guide 111
Maintain full protective equipment during any activity.
Complete decontamination procedures prior to leaving any
area where hazardous materials are present.
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9. What to Report
Report the information clearly, concisely, and accurately
An error in spelling, an incorrect measurement, a mispronunciation of a chemical name, or incorrect identification of a hazardous material can be disastrous
When agencies are contacted, it is important that the
information given is as clear, concise, and accurate as possible.
If a chemical is incorrectly identified, the proper response and
safety procedures will not be carried out.
This type of error can be deadly to both the responders and the
public.
The change or omission of just one letter in a chemical name
could lead to incorrect identification.
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10. What to Report Keep information as simple as possible
Spell names that are complex or potentially confusing
Ethanal or ethanol?
Have the receiver of the information repeat back what was heard
Ethanal (CAS ):
Boiling point: 21°C Melting point: -123°C Relative density (water = 1): 0.78 Solubility in water: miscible Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 99 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.5 Flash point: -39°C (-38 ° F) Auto-ignition temperature: 185°C Explosive limits, vol% in air: 4-57
Ethanol (CAS# ):
Boiling point: 79°C Melting point: -117°C Relative density (water = 1): 0.8 Solubility in water: miscible Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 5.8 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.6 Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.03 Flash point: 13°C c.c. (55.4 °F) Auto-ignition temperature: 363°C Explosive limits, vol% in air:
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11. What to Report Information to report includes:
Exact address and location of spill or leak
Identification of indicators
and markers of hazardous materials
All color and class
information obtained
from placards
For these agencies to plan, prepare, and begin assisting the fire
fighters, they must have as much information as can be
obtained.
This will help ensure that every possible situation can be taken
into account and planned for, in order to prevent any further
injury, property loss, or environmental damage.
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12. What to Report Four-digit UN/NA numbers
Hazardous material identification obtained from shipping papers or MSDS and the potential quantity of hazardous material involved
Description of container, including size, capacity, type, and shape
Amount of chemical that could leak and amount that has leaked
UN= United nations
NA= North America
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13. What to Report Exposures: Current weather: A contact:
Of people and the presence of special populations (children/elderly)
Environment of the immediate area
Current weather:
Including wind direction and speed
A contact:
Or callback telephone number and two-way radio frequency or channel
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14. Plan an Initial Response
The first priority is the safety of responding personnel
Responders are there to isolate the problem, not to become part of it
Proper incident planning will:
Keep responders safe
Provide a means to control the incident effectively, preventing further harm to persons or property
Introduction to plan an initial response.
When planning an initial hazardous materials incident
response, the first priority is to consider the safety of the
responding personnel.
Responders are there to isolate, contain, and/or remedy the
problem, not to become part of it.
Proper incident planning will keep responders safe and provide
a means to control the incident effectively, preventing further
harm to persons or property.
The old adage in haz mat response is: “We want to favorably
affect the outcome of the situation.”
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15. Plan an Initial Response
Planning response options begins with:
Preplanning and SOG’s (your best tools)
Followed by the initial
call for help
Information is used to determine the safest route to the scene
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16. Plan an Initial Response
Choose a route that approaches the scene from an upwind direction whenever possible
Choose a route that places the responders uphill of the site
Natural wind currents will blow the hazardous material vapors away from responders.
A liquid hazardous material will flow away from responders
The route of approach may be dictated due to the lay of the
land and access. If it’s not possible to approach from
upwind/upgrade precautions need to be taken.
These precautions may include stopping farther away from the
scene.
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17. Plan an Initial Response
Responders need to know the type of material involved
Is the material a solid, liquid, or gas?
Is it contained in a
drum, barrel, or
pressurized tanker?
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18. Plan an Initial Response
Response to hazardous material spill
Releases will differ from solid-liquid or gas
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19. Plan an Initial Response
A solid is local and can be easily contained*
A gas can be widespread and constantly moving depending on the gas characteristics and weather conditions
* Unless it is a dust or small particles
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20. Plan an Initial Response
Characteristics of the affected area near the location of the spill or leak are important factors in planning the incident response
If an area is heavily populated:
Evacuation procedures and a decontamination process need to be established very early in the incident
We will discuss decontamination in a later Section.
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21. Plan an Initial Response
If the area is sparsely populated and rural:
Isolating the area from anyone
trying to enter the location may
be the top priority
A high-traffic area such as a
major highway would
necessitate immediate
rerouting of traffic
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22. Plan an Initial Response
There may be more than one way to solve the problem
A thorough risk based response analysis must be performed
There are times when
no action may be the
safest course of action
When responding to an incident, the more information that can
be obtained the better.
If information is unknown or is unconfirmed, then plan for the worst-case scenario.
When planning for hazardous materials incidents, always plan
for the largest margin of safety possible.
Part of a risk based response is the adage about risk vs. gain:
Risk a lot to save a lot;
Risk little to save little;
Risk nothing to save nothing.
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23. Plan an Initial Response
Understand product control options
Identify physical and chemical properties of the released substance
Decontamination should be performed when and where appropriate
There are several items worthy of note in this picture:
It appears these folks are downhill.
Only one firefighter is wearing an SCBA.
It appears they are standing in the foamed product.
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24. Planning a Response Incidents may be categorized by SOG: Level One:
Small product release/no life-environmental hazard
Level Two:
Special resources needed/local area/moderate environmental impact potential
Level Three:
Uncontrolled release/large area evacuation/severe environmental impact possible
There is a handout fully explaining each level in the back of the
student guide.
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25. Massachusetts Chemical/Radiological/Biological Incident Response Activation Levels
Situation
Hazard & Risk Assessment or Suspicious Substance Investigation
Short Term Entry Operation
Long Term and/or Immediate Life Safety Risk
Major Release or Extended Operation
WMD or Mass Casualty Event
Tier Response
1- TOMs Unit
(ORU Optional) (5 Techs)
2- TOMs Unit & ORU
(1/2 Team)
3- TOMs Unit & ORU(s)
(Full Team)
4- Multi-Team
5- Full Hazmat System, plus Bomb Squad and CST activated
TOM= Technical Operational Module (Being replaced by Squad Vehicles)
ORU= Operational Response Units
TSU= Technical Support Unit (New, In Service March 2009)
This is the Massachusetts Response Classification/Activation
System.
The Haz-Mat Teams are requested by the IC, through your
local dispatch office to the regional dispatch office.
The System is undergoing a re-engineering process; by the
summer of 2009 there may be two dispatch centers for the
entire state.
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26. Statewide Mass Decontamination Response System
Massachusetts Chemical/Radiological/Biological Incident Response Activation Levels
Statewide Mass Decontamination Response System
Level Response Situation State HM Response
Mass Decon I/C requests specific Limited/controlled event Tier MDUs (deployment not pre-planned)
Mass Decon 1-2 District MDU’s Moderate; single facility Tier to scene& MDUs to limited occupancy local hospitals (office building) A
MDU= Mass Decontamination Units
1 located at each hospital with an emergency room; 17 located
in fire districts throughout Massachusetts. B
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27. Statewide Mass Decontamination Response System
Massachusetts Chemical/Radiological/Biological Incident Response Activation Levels
Statewide Mass Decontamination Response System
Level Response Situation State HM Response
Mass Decon MDUs to scene Major: Shopping Mall, Tier 5 & hospitals in effected Public Arena or & surrounding fire multiple buildings districts covered by MDUs
Mass Decon Up to 17 District MDUs Extreme: Wide geographic Tier to scene. Most hospitals area or major event in the state covered by MDUs C D
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28. Response Objectives
Operations-level responders develop defensive, non-product contact objectives
Some effective defense actions can be taken safely at a distance
Defensive objectives and actions follow on the next two slides.
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29. Defensive Objectives Isolate the area affected by the leak or spill
Evacuate victims who could become exposed
Control where the spill or release is spreading
Confine the spill to a specific area
Defensive objectives are ones that do not involve stopping the
leak or release of a hazardous material.
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30. Defensive Actions Diking and damming Absorbing or adsorbing material
Stopping the flow remotely from a valve or shutoff
Diluting or diverting material
Suppressing or dispersing vapor
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31. Proper Personal Protective Equipment
PPE is needed based on the hazardous material involved
Physical/chemical properties
At a minimum, fire fighters should wear full protective gear with no skin exposed and use SCBA
Standard structural firefighting PPE offers limited hazardous material protection
This ensemble provides some respiratory protection, but
standard structural firefighting PPE offers limited hazardous
material protection depending on the type of hazardous
material involved.
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32. Identify Emergency Decontamination Procedures
There must be a procedure or a plan in place to decontaminate any responder who accidentally becomes contaminated
Victims removed from a contaminated zone must be decontaminated
Personnel who perform decon need to be trained in proper decon methods
Rapid Access Mass Decontamination (RAM Decon)
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33. Gauging the Potential Harm or Severity of the Incident
Based on the toxicity and the concentration of the hazardous material, responder may be able to gauge how the incident might progress
You may want to mention how vapor pressure, temperature,
potential for release, container integrity, etc. all are factors in
the risk based response to a haz mat incident.
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34. Resources for Determining the Size of the Incident
DOT-ERG
Identifies and outlines predetermined evacuation distances and basic action plans, based on spill estimates, for thousands of chemicals
Computerized or hard-copy pre-incident plan
Includes reports submitted to the fire department and topographical mapping information
Use two resources to determine incident size.
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35. Reporting the Size and Scope of the Incident
Reporting the estimated incident size is done by using information available at the scene
If a container (vehicle) is transporting a known amount of material, the size of the release may be estimated
Units can be as small as square feet or as large as square miles
When it is initially unsafe to approach a vehicle and shipping
papers are not immediately available, other methods must be
used to determine the original amount of hazardous material
and the remaining contained amount.
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36. Determine the Concentration of a Released Hazardous Material
How may an OLR determine a material’s concentration?
Litmus paper use is not an OLR action
Monitoring instruments are used to analyze the atmosphere from a safe distance
The OLR may determine the concentration of a known material utilizing:
MSDS
Shipping Papers
NIOSH
On-scene allied professionals
Litmus paper can be used to determine the concentration of an
acid or a base by reporting the hazardous material’s pH;
however use of this paper involves the potential for more
product contact than operationally trained people should have.
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37. Determine the Concentration of a Released Hazardous Material
Once the concentration is known, the IC can evaluate the incident response plan
A high concentration of an acid would call for a high level of PPE
May also require the evacuation of civilians
To determine the concentration of a gaseous hazardous
material, monitors are used to analyze the atmosphere from a
safe distance.
Once the concentration of the hazardous material is known, the
IC can evaluate the incident response plan.
A high concentration of an acid would call for a higher level of
personal protection.
It may also require the evacuation of civilians due to the
concentration of the hazardous material in vaporized form.
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38. Incident Command System
Consists of five functions:
Command/Operations/Planning/Logistics/Finance
ICS can be expanded to handle an incident of any size and complexity
Hazardous materials incidents can be complex
Local, state, and federal responders and agencies will be involved in many cases of long duration
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39. Incident Command System
It is Federal Law that an ICS must be used at all hazardous materials incidents
A written incident action and site safety plan must be developed for the incident
A special technical group, under the Operations Section, called a Hazardous Material Branch, may be developed for the incident
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40. Incident Command System
Operations Section
Haz-Mat Branch
HM Safety Officer
Science Unit
Decon Group
A second safety officer
Reports directly to the hazardous materials team officer
Responsible for the hazardous materials team’s safety only
A hot zone entry team
A decontamination team
A backup entry team (rapid intervention team)
A hazardous materials information research team
Entry Group
Entry Unit
B/U( RIT) Unit
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41. The Command Post The main hub of the ICS
ICP is the collection point for all information and resources
Must be located in the cold zone upwind and upgrade from the spill or leak to keep it from becoming contaminated
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42. The Command Post
If the ICP and personnel became contaminated, the personnel would no longer be able to control the operation
The command post could be as close as one block away or as far as miles away from the hot zone
They would become victims, the ICP would be part of the hot zone,
and all operations would have to be re-established elsewhere, using
a completely different pool of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
The overall efficiency of command would be negatively affected.
Scene control would be temporarily lost during transfer of
command.
When choosing a site for the ICP, the maximum margin of
safety must be used.
In the Apex, NC incident the command post was relocated
five times and ended up miles away from the release site.
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43. Summary
An important early notification to make is the request for additional response personnel, hazardous materials response teams staffed by trained technicians, and technical specialists
The approach to the incident should be from upwind, and from a direction that ensures that released liquids and/or vapors flow away from responders
Possible defensive actions include stopping the release with a valve or shutoff; absorbing, adsorbing, diking, damming, diverting, or diluting escaped material; and suppressing or dispersing vapor
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44. Summary
The type of personal protective equipment required depends on the material involved and the nature of the incident
The Incident Command System must be used at a haz-mat incident
In a hazardous materials incident, a Hazardous Materials Branch develops under the Operations Section in the Incident Command System
This branch includes a second safety officer and a number of
specialized operational teams.
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