SCENE SAFETY & SECURITY

Lesson Objectives Identify types of incident hazards Identify requirements for scene safety Establish hot, warm and cold zones Identify types of suspicious activity

Timeline in an Incident For first response to be successful in an incident, time is critical –Recognizing imminent threat may prevent incident –Rescue of victims must occur in the first hours –Do not expect outside support

Key Point Terrorists have means, motive, opportunity and will pick the time and location. Terrorist weapons have far-reaching effects Recognizing symptoms may be the first clue. The success of the 1 st responders efforts will depend on how well they are trained.

Types of Hazards Hazards from initial event Chemical Biological Radiological Physical Deliberate hazards Hazards from secondary device

Hazards Resulting from the Initial Event Routes of exposure –Inhalation –Skin contact –Ingestion –Injection

Hazards Resulting from the Initial Event Blood borne pathogen safety Chemical safety Radiological safety Light source safety Confined space safety Personal protective equipment

Secondary Device Increasingly common Survive the ‘secondary’

Women’s Health Clinic–1997 9:30 a.m.Bomb explodes 10:30 a.m.Second bomb explodes

Otherside Lounge–1997 Police are called to a ‘shooting,’ but it is a bomb Second bomb is hidden nearby

Finding the Secondary Device Survey the area Be suspicious of ANYTHING out of place Watch for suspicious persons

Finding the Secondary Device If you find an improvised explosive device, LEAVE! Evacuate the area immediately Call the experts

Scene Safety After surveying the scene: Set up zones HOT WARM COLD u Control the scene

The Hot Zone Center = center of the incident/explosion First perimeter = location of the farthest piece of evidence ‘y’ = distance between the center and perimeter shrapnel y y=100 meters

The Warm Zone Half the distance Likely place for a second device Distance between Hot and Warm zone is ‘x’ X=50 meters x

The Cold Zone Where the incident command post is set up Choose the point which provides the most safety CP

SCENE SAFETY

Scene Safety Scene Safety Plan establishes policies and procedures to protect workers and the public from the potential hazards posed by work at a dangerous work site. Scene Safety Plan should be developed before site activities proceed and should be modified as needed.

Scene Safety At a minimum, the plan should consists of : Name key personnel and alternates responsible for scene safety Describe the risks associated with each operation conducted Confirm that personnel are adequately trained to perform their job. Describe the PPE to be worn by the responders Describe any site-specific medical surveillance requirements

Scene Safety At a minimum, the plan should consists of : Describe the program for detection of hazards, if needed Describe the actions to be taken to mitigate existing hazards Define site control measures and include a site map Establish decontamination procedures for personnel and equipment, wherever necessary Follow SOP’s Follow a contingency plan for safe & effective response to emergencies.

Scene Safety Ensure that there is an evacuation plan and an escape route Minimize the number of people on the scene Set up the triage area outside the event area

Scene Safety No radios or cell phones Unexploded devices may still be armed Know the nature of your surroundings

Suspicious Activity Multiple false alarms may mean you are being watched –Route –Methods –Resources

Key Points There will be need for extra personnel and equipment. Use of highest level of protection against agents release will be necessary. Early identification of the weapon is crucial but do not enter hazard zone. Signs and symptoms must be reported immediately. Some Agents will be extremely toxic.

The 4 Don’ts Key Rules Responders can become complacent Bystanders may do things to complicate matters Don’t become a victim Don’t rush in Don’t Taste, Eat, Smell, Touch Don’t assume anything The 4 Don’ts

Did you Know? An improvised mask made by soaking a clean cloth in a solution of one table spoon of baking soda in a cup of water can provide some protection against chemical & biological agents. Covering all parts of body will protect against contact hazards.

You must Know ! Food /Water contamination or absorption thorough skin are possible attack routes. Decontaminating against chemical vapours can be done by scrubbing with large amounts warm soapy water or a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. If water not available, talcum powder or Atta are excellent means of decontamination from liquid agents.

You Must Remain alert to unusual happening in your locality, like droplets of oily films, dead or dying animals, unexplained odours etc. Question people dressed unusually or wearing breathing protection particularly in areas were large number of people assemble. Seek medical attention for victims reporting symptoms of nausea, breathing difficulty, convulsions, disorientation, or patterns of illness inconsistent with natural disease.

Remember, Civil Defence means Preserving yourself always comes first. Your alertness can help in containing the consequences of an attack. The authorities will depend on you for timely warnings. Your contribution in augmenting the existing emergency services will be necessary.

PLAN! TRAIN! PRACTICE! Preplanning is essential Train the way you plan to respond Practice varying your response

Summary Types of incident hazards Scene safety Hot, warm and cold zones Types of suspicious activity

Any Questions ?