Dearborn Fire Department Response to Haz-Mat Incidents & How to Request the Haz-Mat Team.

Objectives To be able to respond to Hazardous Material Incident and have a general idea of how to handle the incident in a safe way. To be able to gather the needed information and request the Haz-Mat team. To learn what will be needed from the department’s firefighters and command once the Haz-Mat Team is on scene.

This Presentation will be broken down into 3 sections 1 st Engine’s response to a Haz-Mat Incident. Proper way to request the Haz-Mat Team and the information needed when requesting the Team. What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU.

1 st Engine’s response to a Haz-Mat Incident. Dispatch information Arriving on scene Information gathering Initial Decisions Difference between an Incident at a fixed site versus a rail or over road incident.

Dispatch Information Haz-Mat calls may not always come in a Haz-Mat or WMD call. Look for Red Flags that may indicate a Haz-Mat run. “DON’T RUSH IN” If you think it might be a Haz-Mat or WMD incident upon arrival take a cautious approach.

Dispatch Information Size up- check wind direction via dispatch or flag Apparatus positioning – if possible approach up wind, stream, and up hill. Keep a safe distance!

Arriving on scene Try to find out what happened, when it happened, and is the problem still happening.

 Find out as much as you can before entering a hazardous area. Arriving on scene

Occupancy and/or location Container/vehicle shape (size and configuration) Markings and colors Placards and labels Papers (shipping papers, materials safety data sheets)

First Information to obtain and Initial Decisions What is the Chemical name Are there any special instructions about that chemical. Use your ERG ( Emergency Response Guidebook) to get the info needed to make your initial decisions on zones and scene safety

Where to find the Information you need Fixed sites – employees, MSDS’s, and NFPA 704 Hazard ID system Over the road or Rail – DOT Placarding and Rail & Road Trailer Identifification system. Shipping papers and Rail consist.

WMD Type Incidents  It could be a chemical or a bomb release or both. The release could be NERVE AGENTS, VESICANTS (blister agent), BLOOD AGENTS, CHOKING, IRRITANTS, or BIOLOGICAL.

Responder Actions on a WMD incident would include the following –Notification –Security –Secondary device search** –Medical assistance –Decontamination –Documentation DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE OR DISARM

Requesting the Hazmat Team What information to have before requesting. Who can request the Hazmat Team. What are the levels of response from the Hazmat Team. How to request the Hazmat Team.

What information to have before requesting. First there is no minimum amount of information needed before the Hazmat Team will respond. Get as much info as can be done safely and continue to get info while Team is responding. Information needed : Brief description of what happened, Staging area and direction to respond in from.

Who can request the Hazmat Team. The Engine company will notify the duty B.C. of a Incident that involves or could involve Hazardous Materials, Suspicious powder and/or WMD. The B.C. will respond and he will determine if the Hazmat Team will respond.

What are the levels of response from the Hazmat Team. A Consult A TAG response Full Team response The level of response can grow from a lesser level up to the level needed or can start Full Team response.

Hazmat Consult This is the first and minimum level response. With this level the B.C. can call HEMS request that they page out for a Hazmat Teamleader to call to answer questions. The B.C. will need to give a brief explanation of what is happening and a phone number he can be reached at. Example: Dearborn requesting a Consult for a White powder at a school. Call B.C ______ at

Hazmat TAG Response The next level up in a response would be a TAG response. This type of response would a physical, but a limited response from the Hazmat team. The B.C. would do the same as for a consult but say TAG instead.

Hazmat FULL Team Response The last level of response would be a FULL TEAM response. This type of response is for a Major event that will be long in duration or large in scope.

What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU. Secure the Scene. Set up zones. Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated. Gather as much information as can be done safely.

What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU. Occupancy and/or location Container/vehicle shape (size and configuration) Markings and colors Placards and labels Papers (shipping papers, materials safety data sheets)

Secure the Scene Restrict entry and exit. Secure any paperwork that would be relevant.

Set up zones Zones will be different for each incident. Zones can be changed as more information is obtained. First zones can be physical boundaries. Air monitoring can be used with Full PPE to assist in setting up zones.

Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated Exposed – In the area where a release happened. Contaminated – Actually got the release on them.

Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated For Contaminated victims – start thinking about DECON. For Exposed victims – confine them until it is determined if they are contaminated. If victims are in distress DECON per the information you have at hand then render aid.

Mass DECON problems Controlling large numbers of people. Using handlines for Mass DECON Clothing and shelter after Mass DECON

Gather as much information as can be done safely MSDS’s Paperwork of any type. Contact people and phone numbers Always when collecting information only collect what you can with the protection you have.

QUESTIONS