1. You Are the Emergency Medical Responder
Lesson 44: Hazardous Materials Emergencies
You Are the Emergency Medical Responder
You are the first emergency medical responder (EMR) to arrive at the scene of a freight train derailment. According to the train’s placards and signage, several of the cars are carrying liquefied chlorine gas, at least two cars are leaking
and there is a yellowish cloud hanging low over the area. The winds are light, about 5 to 10 miles per hour (mph) and are coming from the northeast.

2. HAZMAT
Any chemical substance or material that can pose a threat or risk to life, health, safety and property if not properly handled or contained.

3. Resources About Hazardous Materials
The Emergency Response Guidebook
The Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) hotline
CAMEO® online library of data
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) resources

4. Placards
Emergency Medical Response

5. Indications of Hazardous Materials
Placards
Spilled, splattered, smoking, burning or boiling materials
Unusual odors
Vapor clouds
Containers that are leaking (with possible frost near the leak), in deteriorating condition or otherwise atypical

6. Three Safety Zones Hot zone Exclusion zone Greatest amount of danger
Warm zone
Contamination reduction zone
Immediately outside hot zone
Cold zone
Support zone
Removal of all contaminated PPE and equipment before entering

7. Contamination Exposure Routes
Topical (through the skin)
Respiratory (inhaled)
Gastrointestinal (ingested)
Parenteral (intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous)

8. Decontamination Methods
Gross
Dilution
Absorption
Neutralization
Isolation/disposal

9. Activity
You are assisting at a HAZMAT incident involving an explosion in a chemical plant. Several of the employees were exposed when the chemicals sprayed into the air and onto themselves and their clothing. Hot, warm and cold zones have been set up.

10. You Are the Emergency Medical Responder
Based on what you see, you recognize the scene as a HAZMAT incident.