1. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Familiarization
Instructor Danny Braitsch Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute November 28, 2017

2. Student Performance Objective
Given information from discussion, handouts, and reading materials, describe how to read and utilize an Emergency Response Guidebook

3. Overview
Describe the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 and its importance to first responders.
Discuss the value of an effective scene size-up and identify important scene size-up considerations at a potential hazardous materials incident.
Identify the different color-coded sections of the Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 and what each section is used for.
Successfully use an Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 in mock-scenarios to identify the hazardous material present at the incident and knowledgably discuss response considerations.

4. Emergency Response Guidebook
The Emergency Response Guidebook (or, ERG 2016) is a guidebook for use by first responders to assist in safely conducting operations on an incident involving dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
Created by the U.S. Department of Transportation with intent to assist responders on transportation-related incidents, but useful for any emergency scene in which hazardous materials or dangerous goods pose a significant health or life safety risk.
Retrieved from:

5. First Things First… Scene Size-Up
A thorough scene size-up is critical in effectively identifying the presence of a potential hazardous materials related incident
Personnel must recognize signs that indicate a hazardous materials related life-safety or health risk is present

6. First Things First… Scene Size-Up – Assess the Scene What to look for:
Placards, labels, or markings indicating presence of hazardous materials
Container labels
Rail cars or road trailers specific for carrying hazardous materials and dangerous goods
Shipping documents or MSDS sheets if readily available to access
Vapors, fumes, smoke, or spills
Whistling from a tank may indicate leak of gaseous material
Being close enough to smell odors emitted from hazardous materials may mean personnel are too close and in danger

7. First Things First… Other scene size-up considerations
Fire, spill, or leak present?
Weather conditions and terrain
Uphill and upwind
Who and what is at risk?
People, property, exposures, the environment
What can be done immediately without unnecessary risk to health and life-safety?
Do you need any more resources?
Special Operations
Decontamination Unit

8. ERG 2016 Familiarization
Now that you’ve identified that your incident scene involves hazardous materials or dangerous goods…
Proper use of the ERG 2016 can allow responders to:
Identify the hazardous material
Determine the potential hazards associated with the hazardous material
Corrosive
Flammable
Toxic upon inhalation, ingestion, etc.
Identify the appropriate level of PPE for operating around the hazardous material
Secure the scene and specify initial isolation and protective action distances, if needed
Determine best methods for mitigating a fire, a spill or leak, or a medical event involving the material

9. ERG 2016 Familiarization
The newest version of the ERG (Version 2016) provides a flow chart on Page 1 for quick reference upon response to an incident involving hazardous materials. It is important for responders to have a baseline knowledge of how to use an ERG for smoother operations on an emergency hazmat incident.

10. ERG 2016 Familiarization RESIST RUSHING IN.
The first recommendation of the ERG 2016 is to
RESIST RUSHING IN.
Risk assessment must begin at a safe distance.
As a first responder, your first responsibility is to keep yourself and the public safe.

11. ERG 2016 Familiarization White Pages
Describe how and when to use the guidebook
Includes:
Information about shipping documents
A detailed table of markings, labels, and placards
Rail car and road trailer identification charts
Pipeline transportation information
Description of protective clothing requirements
Information on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and safe stand-off distances
Emergency response telephone numbers
Table of contents

12. ERG 2016 Familiarization
Anytime a provider needs to look up a hazardous material in the ERG, they will begin with the Yellow or Blue Section, which will guide the provider to the Orange Section to determine how to respond to the incident.

13. ERG 2016 Familiarization Yellow Section ID Number Index
Allows providers to search for the name and guide number of the hazardous materials
ID Numbers are listed in numeric order from 1001 to 9279
Upon identifying the correct hazardous material, the responder will use the provided Guide Number and refer to this corresponding Guide Number in the Orange Section information on how to respond

14. ERG 2016 Familiarization Blue Section Name Of Material Index
Allows providers to search for the ID Number and guide number of the hazardous material by searching its name
Materials are listed in alphabetical order from AC to Zirconium Tetrachloride
Upon identifying the correct hazardous material, the responder will use the provided Guide Number and refer to this corresponding Guide Number in the Orange Section information on how to respond

15. ERG 2016 Familiarization
If the hazardous material entry found in the Yellow or Blue sections is Highlighted in Green, follow these steps:
If there is no fire:
Go directly to Table 1 in the Green Section
Look up the ID number and Name of Material
Identify initial isolation and protective action distances
If there is a fire or a fire is involved:
Also consult the assigned Orange Section
Apply the evacuation information shown under Public Safety

16. ERG 2016 Familiarization
Orange Section
Details how to respond to an incident involving the hazardous material that has been identified at the scene
Potential hazards involved with this particular hazardous material
Fire or Explosion hazards
Health Hazards
Public safety considerations
Protective Clothing recommendations
Evacuation recommendations
Emergency response recommendations
In the event of
Fire
Spill or Leak
First Aid required

17. ERG 2016 Familiarization Green Section
Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances
Recommends distances (in all directions) to isolate personnel and others from the hazardous material incident
Distance recommendations vary based on whether the spill/leak is considered “Small” or “Large”

18. ERG 2016 Familiarization
If there is no placard or information available to responders at an incident that potentially involves a hazardous material, the ERG recommends utilizing Guide 111: Mixed Load/Unidentified Cargo in the Orange Section (the very first guide in the Orange Section)
Rail Car and Road Trailer identification charts should only be used as a last resort with no further information.

19. How to Use ERG 2016
The following 20 minute YouTube presentation explains in thorough detail how to use the ERG 2016 on an emergency incident:

20. Conclusion
The Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 is an effective tool on any hazardous materials incident.
Responders should continue to train in order to feel comfortable with effectively sizing-up a potential hazardous materials related incident.
Familiarity with the ERG will allow providers to significantly and positively influence a successful outcome on a hazardous materials incident.

21. Hazardous Materials Incident Response Scenarios
For the following scenarios, utilize an ERG 2016 to decide how you would respond.
Be sure to:
Assess the scene and call for assistance if necessary
Identify the potential hazards
Describe how to secure the scene
Determine best methods to mitigate the incident

22. Scenario 1
Image retrieved from:

23. Scenario 2
Initial dispatch at 03:45 for Miscellaneous, caller advised dispatch that he is the janitorial staffer at the warehouse, observed what appeared to be a fog cloud around the back of the building, caller did not approach the area and could not provide more information
You arrive on scene and observe same fog cloud. With binoculars from a distance, you see that the fog is coming from a large tank with the following placard on it:
Image Retrieved from:

24. Scenario 3
Arrive on scene, manager of business states he’s attempting to locate the MSDS sheet for the contents of the drum, but in the meantime can tell you that the name of the contents is Toluene.
Image retrieved from:

25. Summary
Describe the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 and its importance to first responders.
Discuss the value of an effective scene size-up and identify important scene size-up considerations at a potential hazardous materials incident.
Identify the different color-coded sections of the Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 and what each section is used for.
Successfully use an Emergency Response Guidebook 2016 in mock-scenarios to identify the hazardous material present at the incident and knowledgably discuss response considerations.

26. References
Emergency Response Guidebook Retrieved from: df
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Website Retrieved from: response-guidebook-erg