1. Chapter 4 The Eight Step Process: An Overview
Textbook Page
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2. Objectives
Describe The Eight Step Process And Its Application As A Tactical Incident Management Tool For Managing On-scene Operations At A Hazardous Materials Incident.
Describe The Critical Success Factors In Managing The First Hour Of A Hazardous Materials Incident.

3. Introduction
On-scene Response Operations Must Always Be Based On A Structured And Standardized System Of Protocols And Procedures.
A Reliance On Standardized Procedures Will Bring Consistency To The Tactical Operation.
The Eight Step Process Is Widely Used Throughout The Country By Public And Private Sector Hazardous Materials Response Teams For The Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials Emergencies.

4. Making The Transition
Experience Has Shown That The Critical Success Factors In The First Hour Of A Hazmat Response Will Typically Be:
The Ability Of Responders To Recognize “Clues” That The Incident May Involve Hazardous Materials
The Ability Of Responders To Quickly Gain Control Of The Incident Scene And Separate Responders From The Problem
The Ability To Establish Command And Control In A Timely Manner.

5. Making The Transition
Basic Considerations During The Alerting And Response Phase Include The Following:
Where Is The Location Of The Incident?
Is The Incident At A Target Occupancy Or Target Hazard Event?
Is There A Pre-incident Plan For The Location? Are Hazmats Involved?
Are Hazmats Found At The Location?
Are There Reports Of Any Unusual Odors? Explosions? Hazardous Materials?
Are Any Injuries Or Casualties Involved?
Are Initial Responders Down?

6. The Eight Step Process©
The Eight Step Process Outlines The Basic Tactical Functions To Be Evaluated And Implemented At Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials.
Like All SOPs, The Eight Step Process Should Be Viewed As A Flexible Guideline And Not As A Rigid Rule.
The Eight Step Process Provides A Flexible Management System That Expands As The Scope And Magnitude Of The Incident Grows.
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7. The Eight Step Process©
These Eight Functions Typically Follow An Implementation Timeline At The Incident.
The Elements Are:
Site Management And Control
Identify The Problem
Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Select Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment
Information Management And Resource Coordination
Implement Response Objectives
DECON And Clean-up Operations
Terminate The Incident

8. Step 1: Site Management And Control
Function:
Site Management And Control Involves Managing And Securing The Physical Layout Of The Incident.
Site Management And Control Is A Critical Benchmark In The Overall Success Of The Response.
Goal:
Site Management And Control Establishes The Playing Field So That All Subsequent Response Operations Can Be Implemented Both Safety And Effectively.

9. Step 1: Site Management And Control
Checklist:
During The Approach To The Incident Scene, Avoid Committing Or Positioning Personnel And Units In A Hazardous Position.
Caution: Emergency Responders Must Be Aware That Certain Chemical Releases May Travel Throughout The Scene And Impact Response Routes
Establish Command Of The Incident And Establish An Incident Command Post (ICP)
Establish A Staging Area.
Establish An Isolation Perimeter.

10. Step 1: Site Management And Control
Checklist:
Establish A Hot Zone Or Inner Perimeter As The “Playing Field.”
Do Not Attempt To Enter The Area Unless Having The Appropriate Level Of Respiratory And Skin Protection, Based On The Hazards Present.
If Personal Contamination Is Suspected, Isolate All Personnel Until Emergency DECON Can Be Established.

11. Step 1: Site Management And Control
STREET SMART TIPS:
Site Management Establishes The Playing Field For The Players (Responders).
The Initial 10 Minutes Of The Incident Will Determine Operations For The Next 60 Minutes
First 60 Minutes Will Determine Operations For The First 8 Hours.
Don’t Try To Control More Real Estate Than You Can Effectively Isolate And Control.

12. Step 1: Site Management And Control
STREET SMART TIPS:
Designate An Emergency Evacuation Signal And Identify Evacuation Rally Points
Remember The First Law Of Hot Zone Operations
Be Trained To Play
Be Dressed To Play
Have A Buddy System With Backup Personnel (Minimum Of 2 In/2 Out)
Have DECON Established
Coordinate With Command And Safety

13. Step 2: Identify The Problem
Function:
Identify The Scope And Nature Of The Problem.
This Includes:
Recognition
Identification
Verification Of The Hazardous Materials
Type Of Container
Exposures
Goal:
To Identify The Scope And Nature Of The Problem, Including The Type And Nature Of Hazardous Materials Involved.

14. Step 2: Identify The Problem
Checklist:
Survey The Incident—identify The Nature And Severity Of The Immediate Problem.
Clues For Determining The Identity Of The Materials Involved Include:
Occupancy And Location
Container Shapes
Markings And Colors
Placards And Labels
Shipping Papers Or Facility Documents
Monitoring And Detection Equipment
Senses

15. Step 2: Identify The Problem
Checklist:
Factors To Consider In Assessing The Type Of Container:
Bulk Versus Non-bulk
Pressurized Versus Non-pressurized
Number Of Compartments Material(s) Of Construction
Pressure Relief Devices
Conduct Offensive Or Defensive Reconnaissance.

16. Step 2: Identify The Problem
Street Smart Tips:
A Problem Well Defined Is Half Solved.
Assume That Initial Information Is Not Correct.
Always Verify Your Initial Information. Verify, Verify, Verify.
Conduct Recon Operations, As Necessary.
Defensive Recon
Offensive Recon
Be Alert For The Presence Of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) And Secondary Events.

17. Step 2: Identify The Problem
Street Smart Tips:
IED Clues Can Include:
Abandoned Container Out Of Place For The Surroundings
Obvious Explosive Device Components, Such As Batteries, Timers, Blasting Caps, Charges
Partially Exploded Devices Found
Unusual Or Foreign Devices Attached To Hazmat Containers
Unattended Vehicles Not Appropriate To The Immediate Environment

18. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Function:
This Is The Most Critical Function That Public Safety Personnel Perform. The Primary Objective Of The Risk Evaluation Process Is To Determine Whether Or Not Responders Should Intervene, And What Strategic Objectives And Tactical Options Should Be Pursued To Control The Problem.
Goal:
To Assess The Hazards Present, Evaluate The Level Of Risk, And Establish An Incident Action Plan (IAP) To Make The Problem Go Away.

19. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Checklist:
Assess The Hazards Posed By The Problem (Health, Physical, Chemical, Weapons, Other). Collect, Prioritize.
Manage Hazard Data And Information From All Sources.
Technical Reference Manuals
Technical Information Sources
Hazmat Databases
Technical Information Specialists
MSDS
Monitoring And Detection Equipment

20. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Checklist:
Primary Technical Information Centers Include:
CHEMTREC — (800)
National Response Center (NRC)
State Single Point Of Contact
Product Or Container Specialists
Regional Poison Control Centers
Air Monitoring and The General Hazmat Behavior Model Are Critical In Implementing A “Risk-based Response.”
Stress
Breach
Release
Engulf
Impingement
Harm

21. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation
CHECKLIST:
Based On The Risk Evaluation Process, Develop Your Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Offensive Tactics — Require Responders To Control/Mitigate The Emergency From Within/Inside The Area Of High Risk.
Defensive Tactics — Permit Responders To Control/Mitigate The Emergency Remote From The Area Of Highest Risk.
Non-intervention Tactics — Pursuing A Passive Attack Posture Until The Arrival Of Additional Personnel Or Equipment, Or Allowing The Fire To Burn Itself Out.

22. Strategy Vs. Mode
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23. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Street Smart Tips:
Focus On Those Things That You Can Change And That Will Make A Positive Difference To The Outcome.
Every Incident Will Arrive At Some Outcome, With Or Without Your Help.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Taking A Risk.
Pubic Safety Personnel Should View Their Roles As That Of Risk Evaluators, Rather Than Risk Takers.

24. Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation Street
Street Smart Tips:
Hour 1 Priorities Within The IAP Are As Follows:
Establish Site Management And Control.
Determine The Materials/Agents Involved.
Ensure The Safety Of All Personnel From All Hazards.
Ensure That PPE Is Appropriate For The Hazards.
Initiate Tactical Objectives To Accomplish Initial Rescue, DECON, Medical, And Public Protective Action Needs.
If Criminal Activities Are Involved (E.G., Terrorism Incidents), Maintain The Integrity Of Potential Evidence.

25. Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment
Function:
Based On The Results Of The Hazard And Risk Assessment Process, Emergency Response Personnel Will Select The Proper Level Of Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment.
Two Primary Types Of Personal Protective Clothing Are Commonly Used At Hazmat Incidents:
Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing
Chemical Protective Clothing
Goal:
To Ensure That All Emergency Response Personnel Have The Appropriate Level Of Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment For The Expected Tasks.

26. Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment
Checklist:
The Selection Of Personal Protective Clothing Will Depend On The Hazards And Properties Of The Materials Involved And The Response Objectives To Be Implemented:
In Evaluating The Use Of Specialized Protective Clothing, The Following Factors Must Be Considered:
The Hazard To Be Encountered
Including The Specific Tasks To Be Performed
The Level And Type Of Specialized Protective Clothing To Be Utilized
The Capabilities Of The Individual(s) Who Will Use The PPE
Remember—specialized Protective Clothing Places A Great Deal Of Both Physiological And Psychological Stress On An Individual.

27. Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment
Checklist:
The Following Levels Of Personal Protective Clothing Are Typically Utilized By Emergency Responders At Hazmat Incidents, As Appropriate:
Structural Firefighting Clothing
Chemical Vapor Protective Clothing
Chemical Splash Protective Clothing
Ensure That All Emergency Response Personnel Are Using The Proper Protective Clothing And Equipment.
Order Additional Personnel And Other Specialized Equipment And Expertise Early In The Incident.

28. Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment
Street Smart Tips:
Remember That Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing Is Not Designed To Provide Protection Against Chemical Hazards.
There Is No One Single Barrier That Will Effectively Combine Both Chemical And Thermal Protection.
Wearing Any Type And Level Of Impermeable Protective Clothing Creates The Potential For Heat Stress Injuries.
Personal Protective Clothing Is Your Last Line Of Defense!

29. Step 5: Information Management And Resource Coordination
Function:
Refers To Proper Management, Coordination, And Dissemination Of All Pertinent Data And Information Within The ICS In Effect At The Scene.
Of Particular Importance Is The Ability To Determine The Incident Factors Involved, Which Functions Of The Eight Step Process Have Been Completed.
Goal:
To Provide For The Timely And Effective Management, Coordination, And Dissemination Of All Pertinent Data, Information, And Resources Between All Of The Players.

30. Step 5: Information Management And Resource Coordination
Checklist:
Confirm That The ICP Is In A Safe Area.
Note: Personnel Not Directly Involved In The Overall Command And Control Of The Incident Should Be Removed From The ICP Area.
Confirm That A Unified Command Organization Is In Place.
Expand The ICS And Create Additional Branches, Divisions, Or Groups, As Necessary.
Ensure That All Appropriate Internal And External Notifications Have Been Made.

31. Step 5: Information Management And Resource Coordination
Checklist:
Confirm Emergency Orders And Follow Through To Ensure That They Are Fully Understood And Correctly Implemented.
Make Sure That There Is Continuing Progress Toward Solving The Emergency In A Timely Manner.
If Activated, Provide Regular Updates To The Local Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

32. Step 5: Information Management And Resource Coordination
Street Smart Tips:
Consider The Security Of The ICP And All Other Incident Response Areas.
Don’t Look Stupid Because You Didn’t Have A Plan.
Bad News Doesn’t Get Better With Time.
Don’t Allow External Resources To “Freelance” Or Do The “End Run.”
Don’t Let Your Lack Of A Planning Section Become The Achilles Heel Of Your Response.
Establish It Early, Particularly In A “Campaign Event.”
Play Nice Together!

33. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Function:
The Phase Where Responders Implement The Best Available Strategic Goals And Tactical Objectives, Which Will Produce The Most Favorable Outcome.
If The Incident Is In The Emergency Phase, This Is Where We “Make The Problem Go Away.”
Common Strategies To Protect People And Stabilize The Problem Include:
Rescue
Public Protective Actions
Spill Control, Leak Control
Fire Control
Recovery Operations

34. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Function:
If The Incident Is In The Post Emergency Response Phase, The Focus Of Response Personnel Will Likely Become:
Scene Safety
Clean-up
Evidence Preservation (As Appropriate)
Incident Investigation.
Goal:
To Ensure That The Incident Priorities (I.E., Rescue, Incident Stabilization, Environmental And Property Protection) Are Accomplished In A Safe, Timely, And Effective Manner.

35. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Checklist:
Implement Response Objectives.
Offensive Tactics — Require Responders To Control/Mitigate The Emergency From Within/Inside The Area Of High Risk.
Defensive Tactics — Permits Responders To Control/Mitigate The Emergency Remote From The Area Of Highest Risk.
Nonintervention Tactics — Pursuing A Passive Attack Posture Until The Arrival Of Additional Personnel Or Equipment, Or Allowing The Fire To Burn Itself Out.

36. Strategy Vs Mode
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37. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Checklist
NOTE: Rapidly Changing Incident Conditions May Require Using Multiple Tactics Simultaneously Or Switching From One Tactic To Another.
Defensive Tactics Are Always Desirable Over Offensive Tactics If They Can Accomplish The Same Objectives.
Ensure That Properly Equipped Backup Personnel Wearing The Appropriate Level Of Personal Protective Clothing Are In-place Before Initiating Operations.

38. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Checklist
Ensure That Entry Teams Have Been Briefed Prior To Being Allowed To Enter The Hot Zone.
All Watches, Jewelry, And Personal Valuables Have Been Removed
Objectives Of The Entry Operation
Safety Procedures, Including Radio Communications, SCBA, And PPE Checks
Emergency Procedures, Including Placement Of Back-up Teams
Decontamination Area Location, Set-up, And Procedures

39. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Checklist:
CAUTION: DECON Should Be Set Up Prior To Initiating Entry Operations. For Situations Where Civilians Are Down And Chemical Exposures Are Suspected, Emergency DECON Must Be Established As Soon As Possible.
Conduct Regular Monitoring Of The Hazard Area To Determine If Conditions Are Changing.

40. Step 6: Implement Response Objectives
Street Smart Tips:
Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) Can Be Used To Significantly Reduce Chemical Vapor Levels Within A Building And Increase The Safety Of Emergency Responders.
Never Touch Or Handle Anything In A Clandestine Lab Operation Until The Area Has Been Evaluated And Cleared By Bomb Squad Personnel.
What Will Happen If I Do Nothing?
Surprises Are Nice On Your Birthday But Not On The Emergency Scene.
There Is A Very Fine Line Between Explosives, Oxidizers, And Organic Peroxides.
Always Have A Plan B In Case Plan A Doesn’t Work!

41. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Function:
Decontamination (DECON) Is The Process Of Making Personnel, Equipment, And Supplies “Safe” By Reducing Or Eliminating Harmful Substances That Are Present When Entering And Working In Contaminated Areas.
All Personnel Trained To The First Responder Operations Level Should Be Capable Of Delivering An Emergency DECON Capability.
Goal:
To Ensure The Safety Of Both Emergency Responders And The Public By Reducing The Level Of Contamination On Scene And Minimizing The Potential For Secondary Contamination Beyond The Incident Scene.

42. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Checklist:
Ensure That The DECON Operations Are Coordinated With Tactical Operations.
This Should Include The Following Tasks:
The Decontamination Area Is Properly Located Within The Warm Zone, In An Appropriate Location.
The Decontamination Area Is Well Marked And Identified.
The Proper Decontamination Method And The Type Of Personal Protective Clothing To Be Used Have Been Determined And Communicated, As Appropriate.
All DECON Operations Are Integrated Within The ICS Organization.

43. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Checklist:
Incidents Involving Large Numbers Of Contaminated Individuals Will Require A Mass DECON Operation.
Basic Principles Of Mass Casualty DECON:
Anticipate A 5 : 1 Ratio Of Unaffected To Affected Casualties.
Decontaminate ASAP - Disrobing Is a Form DECON
Outer Clothing May Remove Up To 80% Of The Contaminant When Chemical Agents Are Suspected.
Water Flushing For A Period Of 3 Minutes Is Generally The Best Mass DECON Method.

44. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Checklist:
After A Known Exposure To A Hazardous Material, Responders Must DECON ASAP To Avoid Serious Effects.
Ensure Proper DECON Of All Personnel Before They Leave The Scene.
Establish A Plan To Clean Up Or Dispose Of Contaminated Supplies And Equipment Before Cleaning Up The Site Of A Release.

45. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Street Smart Tips:
Establishing An Emergency DECON Capability Should Be Part Of The Incident Action Plan.
DECON Involving Large Numbers Of People Will Be A Challenge And Will Make For A Long Day.
Remember The Basics—separate People From The Problem And Keep Them Corralled Until Emergency DECON Is Established.
Permeation Can Occur With Any Porous Material, Not Just PPE.
Sodium Hypochlorite (I.E., Bleach) May Be Used As A DECON Agent For Equipment When Dealing With Chemical And Biological Materials.

46. Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations
Street Smart Tips:
Degradation Chemicals, Such As Bleach, Should Never Be Applied Directly To The Skin.
Never Transport Contaminated Victims From The Scene To Any Medical Facility Without Conducting Field DECON.
Law Enforcement Operations At Incidents Where Hazmats Are Involved Create Some Unique Challenges:
Be Aware Of “Bad Guys” Possibly Being Mixed In With Civilians
Establish A Weapons Safety Officer As Part Of DECON To Ensure That All Weapons Are Properly Handled And Rendered Safe.
Ensure That Procedures Are In Place When Conducting DECON Of Contaminated Prisoners.

47. Step 8: Terminate The Incident
Function:
This Is The Termination Of Emergency Response Activities And The Initiation Of Post Emergency Response Operations (PERO), Including Investigation, Restoration, And Recovery Activities.
Goal:
To Ensure That Overall Command Is Transferred To The Proper Agency When The Emergency Is Terminated And That All Post-incident Administrative Activities Are Completed Per Local Policies And Procedures.

48. Step 8: Terminate The Incident
Checklist:
Account For All Personnel Before Securing Emergency Operations.
Conduct Incident Debriefing Session For On-scene Response Personnel.
Command Is Formally Transferred From The Lead Response Agency To The Lead Agency For All Post- emergency Response Operations.
Ensure That The Following Elements Are Documented:
All Operational, Regulatory, And Medical Phases Of The Emergency, As Appropriate.

49. Step 8: Terminate The Incident
Checklist:
All Equipment Or Supplies Used During The Incident. Obtain The Names And Telephone Numbers Of All Key Individuals.
Ensure That All Emergency Equipment Is Reserviced, Inspected, And Returned To Proper Locations. Conduct A Critique Of All Major And Significant Incidents Based On Local Protocols.
Although Every Organization Has Its Own Critique Style, Never Use A Critique To Assign Blame.
Organizations Must Balance The Potential Negatives Against The Benefits That Are Gained Through The Critique.

50. Step 8: Terminate The Incident
Checklist:
Remember—the Reason For Doing The Critique Is To Improve Your Operations!
Most Critiques Fall Into One Of Three Categories:
We Lie To Each Other About What A Great Job We Just Did
We Beat Up Each Other For Screwing Up
We Focus On The Lessons That Were Learned And The Changes/Improvements That Must Be Made.

51. Summary
Emergency Response Operations At Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials Must Always Be Based Upon A Structured And Standardized System Of Protocols And Procedures.
A Reliance On Standardized Procedures Will Bring Consistency To The Tactical Operation.
The Eight Step Process© Is A Tool Used For The Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials Emergencies.

52. Summary
The Eight Step Process© Is A Tool Used For The Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials Emergencies.
The Eight Step Process© Provides A Framework Necessary To Translate Planning And Preparedness Into The Delivery Of An Effective System For Responding To And Investigating Incidents Where Hazardous Materials And wmd Materials May Be Involved.

53. Summary The Eight Step Process© : Site Management And Control
Identify The Problem
Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Select Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment
Information Management And Resource Coordination
Implement Response Objectives
DECON And Clean-up Operations
Terminate The Incident

54. O.T. and The Kid