1. Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation
Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

2. Haz Mat Incidents Involve a substance that:
Poses an unreasonable risk to:
People
Environment
Property
Has been or may be released from a container
May be on fire
Will be more complex than a “routine” incident
Awareness Level

3. Other Emergencies Do not involve the release of a hazardous substance
Awareness Level

4. Awareness-Level Training Requirements
Governmental agencies
OSHA and EPA
U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP)
Requirements of authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

5. Awareness-Level Training Requirements
NFPA Standards
NFPA 472, Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents
NFPA 471, Recommended Practice for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents
NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

6. Awareness-Level Responsibilities
Recognizing the presence or potential presence of a hazardous material
Recognizing container type and identifying material
Transmitting information to appropriate authority and calling for assistance
Identifying actions to protect self and others
Establishing scene control
Awareness Level

7. U.S. Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Hazardous materials in all modes of transport
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
States and tribes enforce compliance
Department of Labor
OSHA issues legislation regarding worker safety
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Regulates nuclear and radioactive materials
Awareness Level

8. Canadian Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials
Transport Canada (TC)
Environment Canada
Health Canada
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Awareness Level

9. Products Most Often Involved in Haz Mat Incidents
Flammable/combustible liquids
Corrosives
Anhydrous ammonia
Chlorine
Awareness Level

10. Hazardous Materials States
Hazardous materials may be:
Elements
Compounds
Mixtures
May be found in gaseous, liquid, or solid states or a combination of these states
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

11. Hazardous Materials States
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

12. Hazardous Materials Hazards
May present a direct threat to health or pose physical hazards
Hazards range from insignificant to catastrophic
Exposure may be acute or chronic
Health effects can be acute or chronic
Awareness Level

13. Hazardous Materials Behavior
Behavior of hazardous material — A material’s physical state, flammability, boiling point, chemical reactivity, and other properties
Affect how it behaves
Determine harm
Influence effects of hazardous material
Awareness Level

14. Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes
Open flames
Static electricity
Existing pilot lights
Electrical sources
Internal combustion engines
Heated surfaces
Cutting and welding operations
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

15. Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes
Radiant heat
Heat caused by friction or chemical reactions
Cigarettes
Cameras
Road flares
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

16. Potential Ignition Sources in Explosive Atmospheres
Opening or closing a switch or electrical circuit
Turning on a flashlight
Operating a radio
Activating a cell phone
Awareness Level

17. NFA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards
Thermal
Radiological
Asphyxiation
Chemical
Etiological
Mechanical
Psychological
Awareness Level

18. NFPA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards
Thermal
Mechanical
Poisonous
Corrosive
Asphyxiation
Radiation
Etiologic
Psychological
Awareness Level

19. Thermal Hazards — Cold Temperatures
Cryogenic and liquefied gases
Freeze burns and cold injuries
Anhydrous ammonia
Cold injuries
Vapors are toxic and may catch fire
Awareness Level

20. Thermal Hazards — Elevated Temperatures
A concern when dealing with materials such as molten sulphur and molten aluminum
High temperature materials can ignite flammable/combustible materials
Thermal burn types include first, second, and third degree burns
Awareness Level

21. Radiological Hazards
A concern at facilities such as medical centers, industrial operations, nuclear power plants, and research facilities, and terrorist attacks
Damage cells and can cause noticeable health effects
Awareness Level

22. Asphyxiation Hazards
Asphyxiants affect the oxygenation of the body and lead to suffocation
Simple asphyxiants — Gases that displace the oxygen necessary for breathing
Chemical asphyxiants — Substances that prohibit the body from using oxygen
Awareness Level

23. Chemical Hazards
Produce a wide range of adverse health effects depending on:
Toxicity of the chemical
Route of exposure
Nature and extent of exposure
Factors that affect the susceptibility of the exposed person
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

24. Chemical Hazards
Local toxic effect — A chemical injury at the site of contact
Systemic effects — Effects produced when a toxic chemical is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to other parts of the body
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

25. Etiological Hazards
Exposure to a living microorganism that causes, or may cause, human disease that may be severe and disabling
Awareness Level

26. Mechanical Hazards Direct contact with an object
Can be mild, moderate, or severe
Striking injuries
Friction injures
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

27. Mechanical Hazards
BLEVEs and other explosions can cause mechanical trauma.
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

28. Psychological Hazards
Acute stress disorder — Symptoms appear within the first 30 days and do not last more than 4 weeks
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms — Occur 30 days to years after the event
Awareness Level

29. Routes of Entry Inhalation — Breathing through the nose or mouth
Ingestion — Through the mouth by means other than simple inhalation
Injection — Through a puncture or break in the skin
(1 of 3)
Awareness Level

30. Routes of Entry Absorption — Through the skin or eyes
Penetration — Radioactive particles and energy waves
(2 of 3)
Awareness Level

31. Routes of Entry Chemicals often have multiple routes of entry.
Awareness Level

32. Summary
Hazardous materials incidents pose significant hazards to first responders. Awareness-Level first responders must know their primary responsibilities and their limitations in dealing with hazardous materials incidents.
Hazardous materials are regulated in both the U.S. and Canada by a number of agencies.
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level

33. Summary
Hazardous materials may be classified by their hazard. The NFA and NFPA have categories of hazardous materials classifications.
Hazardous materials pose significant health hazards that can range from minor to severe and even fatal.
Hazardous materials can enter the body through a number of routes.
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level

34. Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation
Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.