Emergency Medical Response Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Emergency Medical Response 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 Lesson 44: Hazardous Materials Emergencies 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. “How would you respond?” “What would you do?”

Emergency Medical Response Opening Scenario Identify the substance, is it hazardous? Follow incident plan –Ensure scene safety –Personal protective equipment EMR’s must quickly be able to identify situations involving chemicals or to other hazardous material

Emergency Medical Response Video - Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Emergency Medical Response 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  Federal law requires that placards or signs be placed on vehicles that contain quantities of hazmat materials  Manufacturers, production and distribution are required to display the appropriate placards

Emergency Medical Response 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 “Why would use the guidebook what information does is provide?”

Placards Emergency Medical Response

Hazardous Materials Incidents  HZMAT incident is any situation that deals with the release of a hazardous material  Structured system is established to provide guidance  Indications of the presence of hz 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  Your role as an EMR is initial identification

Emergency Medical Response Three Safety Zones  Radiation – if suspected, full turnout gear/SCBA  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

Emergency Medical Response Scene Safety Establish a clear perimeter between zones Park uphill/upwind at safe distance Secure bystanders/keep away from scene Number of patients Follow safety precautions to minimize exposure Concentrate on life-threatening signs/symptoms

Emergency Medical Response Contamination Exposure Routes  Topical  through the skin  Respiratory  inhaled  Gastrointestinal  ingested  Parenteral  intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous)

Emergency Medical Response Decontamination Methods Gross –Soap and copious amount of water –Address immediate life-threatening situations Dilution –Reducing the concentration of contaminate Absorption –Using another material to absorb/hold contaminate

Emergency Medical Response Decontamination Methods Neutralization –Chemically altering a contaminate rendering it harmless Isolation/disposal –Biohazard bags/containers

Emergency Medical Response 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. “Which method of decontamination would be most appropriate to use?”

Emergency Medical Response Activity Responses Gross decontamination of the individuals with soap and copious amounts of water when they enter the warm zone. Isolation/disposal would be used for any contaminated materials or equipment used

Emergency Medical Response You Are the Emergency Medical Responder Based on what you see, you recognize the scene as a HAZMAT incident. “What questions should you ask yourself immediately?” “What initial actions should you take and why?”

Emergency Medical Response Hazardous Substance Where is it coming from Condition of container Weather conditions # of patients involved Actions taken next HAZMAT incident plan Establish safe zones Providing care