SOP 209.02 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
This
plan provides a basic philosophy and strategic plan for hazardous materials
situations. All Ennis Fire
Department Standard Operating Procedures, unless superceded
by a specific part of this plan, remain in effect for Hazardous Materials
incidents.
REFERENCE: EMP – Annex Q.
Hazardous
Materials incidents encompass a wide variety of potential situations including
fires, spills, transportation accidents, chemical reactions, explosions and
similar events. Hazards involved may
include toxicity, flammability, radiological hazards, corrosives, explosives,
health hazards, chemical reactions and combinations of factors. This plan
provides a general framework for handling a hazardous materials incident, but
does not address the specific tactics or control measures for particular
incidents.
Every
field incident presents the potential for exposure to hazardous materials and
the products of combustion of an ordinary fire may present severe hazards to
personnel safety.
This procedure is specifically applicable to known hazardous materials incidents, but it does not reduce the need for appropriate safety precautions at every incident. The use of proper turnouts and SCBA, whenever appropriate and the utilization of all Standard Operating Procedures on a continuing basis is the starting point for this plan.
ALARM
DISPATCH
Dispatch
will attempt to obtain any and all information from the person reporting a
hazardous materials incident. The
information should, if possible, include material name and/or type, (amount
and size of containers), problem (leak, spill ,
fire, etc.) and dangerous properties of the materials. The incident taker should stay on the
telephone with the caller to gain additional information after giving the call
to the dispatcher.
Any additional information shall be relayed
to responding units after dispatch.
If the call comes from a
person with particular knowledge of the hazardous situation, have that person meet
and direct the arriving units.
FIRST
ARRIVING UNIT
The first arriving officer will establish Command and begin a size-up. The first unit must consciously avoid committing itself to a dangerous situation. When approaching, slow down or stop to assess any visible activity taking place. Evaluate effects of wind, topography and location of the situation.
Command will advise
SIZE-UP
Command must make a careful
size-up before deciding on a commitment. It may be necessary to take immediate
action to make a rescue or evaluate an area, but this should be done with an
awareness of the risk to Fire Department personnel, and taking advantage of
available protective equipment.
The objective of the
size-up is to identify the nature and severity of the immediate problem and
gather sufficient information to formulate a valid action plan. A hazardous
materials incident requires a more cautious and deliberate size-up than most
fire situations.
Avoid premature commitment of companies and
personnel to potentially hazardous locations. Proceed with caution in
evaluating risks before formulating a plan and keep uncommitted companies at a
safe distance.
Identify
a hazardous area based on potential danger, taking into account materials
involved, time of day, wind and weather conditions, location of the incident
and degree of risk to unprotected personnel. Take immediate action to evaluate
and/or rescue persons in critical danger if possible, providing for safety of
rescuers. (See Evacuation Sector)
The
major problem in most cases is to identify the type of materials involved in a
situation, and the hazards presented, before formulating a plan of action. Look for labels, markers, and shipping papers,
refer to pre-fire plans, and ask personnel at the scene, plant management,
responsible party, truck drivers, fire department specialist. Utilize reference materials carried on
apparatus and have Alarm contact other sources for assistance in sizing up the
problem (Chemtrec, other agencies, fire
department specialists, manufacturers of materials, etc.)
ACTION
PLAN
Based
on the initial size-up and any information available, Command will have to
formulate an action plan to deal with the situation.
Most
hazardous materials are intended to be maintained in a safe condition for
handling and use through confinement in a container or protective system. The emergency is usually related to the
material. Escaping from the protective container or system and creating a
hazard on the exterior. The strategic
plan must include a method to get the
hazardous material back into a safe container, dispose of it, neutralize it, or
allow it to dissipate safely.
The
specific action plan must identify the method of hazard control and identify
the resources available and/or required to accomplish this goal. It may be necessary to select one method
over another due to the unavailability of a particular resource or to adopt a
"holding action" to wait for needed equipment or supplies.
As
a general policy, the Hazardous Materials Response Team will be assigned to any
situation involving direct contact with hazardous materials.
THE ACTION
Safety
of citizens
Safety
of Firefighters
Control
of situation
Evacuation
of endangered area, if necessary
Stabilization
of hazardous materials, and/or
Disposal or removal of hazardous material.
Avoid
committing personnel and equipment prematurely or “experimenting” with
techniques and tactics. Many times it
is necessary to evacuate and wait for special equipment or expert help.
CONTROL
OF HAZARDOUS AREA
A
hazardous material incident has two zones associated with the scene, similar to
a fire. There are
the HAZARD
HAZARD
ZONE
The
Hazard Zone is the area in which personnel are potentially in immediate danger
from the hazardous condition. This is
established by Command and controlled by the Fire Department. Access to this area will be rigidly
controlled and only personnel with proper protective equipment and an as signed
activity will enter. All companies will
remain in tact in designated staging areas until assigned. Personnel will be
assigned to monitor entry and exit of all personnel from the Hazard Zone. The Hazard Zone should be geographically
described to all responding units,' if possible. (A Lobby Control Sector may be
established to control access to the Hazard Zone and maintain an awareness of
which personnel are working in the area).
Responsibility
for control of personnel in this zone includes not only Fire Department
personnel, but any others who may wish to enter the Hazard Zone (Police, press,
employees, tow truck drivers, ambulance personnel ,
etc. ) Command is responsible for everyone's safety. (See Safety Procedures, SOP 205.03,
Personnel Identification System)
EVACUATION
ZONE
The
Evacuation Zone is the larger area surrounding the Hazard Zone in which a
lesser degree of risk to personnel exists.
All civilians would be removed from this area. The limits of this zone will be enforced by
the Police Department based on distances and directions established in
consultation with Command. The area to
be evacuated depends on the nature and amount of the material and type of risk
it presents to unprotected personnel (toxic, explosive, etc.).
In
some cases, it is necessary to completely evacuate a radius around a site for a
certain distance (i.e. potential explosion).
In
other cases, it may be advisable to evacuate a path downwind where toxic or
flammable vapors may be carried (and control ignition sources in case of
flammable vapors). Reference: (Evacuation
Sector, Police Liaison Sector)
NOTE:
When
toxic or irritant vapors are being carried downwind, it may be most effective
to keep everyone indoors with windows' and doors closed to prevent contact with
the material instead of evacuating the area.
In these cases, companies would be assigned to patrol the area assisting
citizens in shutting down ventilation systems and evacuating persons with
susceptibility to respiratory problems.
In all cases, the
responsibility for safety of all potentially endangered citizens rest with
Command.
USE
OF NON-FIRE
DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
In
some cases, it may be advantages us to use non-Fire Department personnel to
evaluate hazards and perform certain functions for which they would have
particular experience or ability.
When
such personnel are outfitted with breathing apparatus, chemical suits, etc.,
they must be made aware of the functions , limitations
and safety precautions necessary in their use. Fire Department personnel with the
necessary protective equipment must closely monitor and/or accompany such
personnel for safety.
BE
AWARE THAT COMMAND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF