1. Hazardous Materials: Protective Actions
Chapter 28
Hazardous Materials: Protective Actions

2. Introduction
There are general tactics when responding to a hazardous materials incident
Tactical considerations provided are for general situations
May not apply to specific cases
Firefighters beginning their training are unlikely to make evacuation decisions for several years
Material in this chapter should be kept in mind for the future

3. Hazardous Materials Management Processes
Several different management processes exist
8-Step Process
GEDAPER Process
DECIDE Process
Cores of all systems are basically the same: protection of life, property, environment
Group of responders will fit into the ICS using one of these processes, or a combination

4. Table 28-1 Hazardous Materials Management Systems

5. Isolation and Protection
One of the most important tasks
Methods:
Barrier tape
Use of law enforcement
Traffic barriers
Use of emergency vehicles to block access
Control incident quickly

6. Figure One of the first priorities should be to isolate the area so as to prevent other people from becoming involved with the incident.

7. Rescue
Rescue of victims from suspected hazard area can be extremely controversial
Local protocol and SOPs must be considered
Evaluate incident
Take into account response and notification time
Once out of the area, decontaminate
Procedures should be in place for rescuing trapped victims

8. Top 10 Chemicals Spilled The top 10 chemicals spilled are:
Sulfuric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Chlorine
Ammonia
Sodium hydroxide
Gasoline
Propane 8

9. Top 10 Chemicals Spilled (cont’d.)
The top 10 chemicals spilled are: (cont’d.)
Combustible liquids
Flammable liquids
Natural Gas
Response to an incident involving these chemicals should be no different than a response to a bedroom fire

10. Site Management
Management of hazardous materials incident can be difficult
When involved in a chemical release, many agencies can be involved
Liaison must be established between all agencies
Requires a minimum of two safety officers
Hazardous materials safety officer should be trained to Technician or Specialist level

11. Table 28-2 Hazardous Materials Branch Positions

12. Establishment of Zones
Refers to areas that are established to identify various isolation points
Hot zone may be referred to as:
Exclusion zone
Isolation area
Hazard area
Warm zone: contamination reduction zone
Cold zone: support area

13. Figure The establishment of zones is usually based on the types of hazards that may be present. For general chemical spills, the zones established are referred to as the hot, warm, and cold zones.

14. Figure 28-8 The best position for first responders is uphill and upwind from the release.

15. Evacuations and Sheltering in Place
Best way to determine evacuation or shelter is to conduct real-time air monitoring
If a decision is made to evacuate, a suitable location needs to be found
In most cases, sheltering in place is safer than evacuation
When sheltering, citizens should shut all windows and doors
Shut off air handling systems

16. Figure Standard shapes for plumes or vapor clouds may form after a gas is released. The exact type varies with the topography and the buildings in the area.

17. Common Incidents Overview of common incidents
Types of releases in each DOT hazard class
Recommendations provided are only suggestions
Local policies and procedures should be followed

18. Types of Releases Type of release can be classified as:
Breach in a container
Release within containment system
Several ways of looking at potential release of a chemical:
Chemical is stressed
Container is stressed
Pressurized and non-pressurized containers can breach in several ways

19. Figure 28-10 Types of container breaches.

20. Figure 28-11 Propane tank detonation.

21. Explosives All persons must be removed from the area
Defensive operation should be established
Many other considerations come into play if fire is not directly impacting explosives
Examples of incidents involving explosives
Assisting a bomb squad
Shipment of explosives involved in an accident
Explosives brought by citizens to fire department

22. Gases Incidents involving gases include:
Flammable gases
Non-flammable gases
Many departments carry gas detection devices
Most commonly released flammable gases:
Natural gas
Propane
When fighting propane fire, large quantity of water is applied quickly and continuously

23. Figure Master streams are used to cool the hydrogen tanks on a tube trailer. (Courtesy of Maryland Department Environment ERD)
Figure Note the severe damage to this high pressure hydrogen tube trailer. It was involved in a traffic accident and caught fire. (Courtesy of Maryland Department Environment ERD)

24. Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Leading category for most common type of release
Considerable runoff when fighting this type of fire
Problems when using foam
Damaging to environment
Slippery

25. Figure A diesel tank truck cab caught fire, impinging on the cargo tank. A quick and aggressive response by the Washington, DC, and Prince Georges County Fire Departments was able to knock down the fire before the contents were ignited. If the tank had become compromised, firefighting would have been very challenging because the tank truck was on a significant incline. Burning fuel would have traveled down the highway, possibly into storm drains. (Courtesy of Maryland Department Environment ERD)

26. Flammable Solids, Water Reactives, and Spontaneously Combustible Materials
Specific identity and emergency response information are crucial
Responders have experience with flammable solids
Water-reactive group defined in two ways
Materials that are spontaneously combustible are kept stable during transport

27. Figure In this photo eight ounces of magnesium shavings were in a pool of burning diesel fuel. When the magnesium was heated, a slight water mist was sprayed over the fire. The white sparks are from the magnesium and the fireball is from the reaction as well. Relate the size of this violent reaction from a cup of magnesium to that of a truckload of magnesium.

28. Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
Can have explosive characteristics
Best known oxidizer is ammonium nitrate
Liquefied oxygen (LOX) presents more hazards in addition to supporting combustion
Pool chemicals are another common oxidizer

29. Figure A leak of liquid oxygen on asphalt can present a shock-sensitivity problem in addition to the increased risk of a fire.

30. Poisons
Toxic in varying degrees but should be treated as poisonous by first responders
Most common incidents result from pesticides and agricultural chemicals
Commercial home fertilizers do not present much risk to responders
Unless in large quantities

31. Radioactive Materials
Incidents are rare
Radioactive materials commonly used in community
Smoke detectors
Ground imaging equipment
Medical community
Follow the adage:
“Time, distance, and shielding”

32. Corrosives Most common incidents:
Sulfuric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Sodium hydroxide
Chemical protective clothing is required
Wash splashed material quickly
Chemical neutralization may be the best choice

33. Figure The shipping papers did not indicate the presence of nitric acid. The brown vapor cloud is a result of a chemical reaction between bromine and red fuming nitric acid. When the hazardous materials team opened the back of the truck, they were greeted with these vapors. The team members in the photograph retreated when the vapors were released from the back of the truck and changed into chemical protective clothing. (Courtesy of Maryland Department Environment ERD)

34. Other Incidents
Impossible to outline each specific action that a first responder should take at a chemical release
Many toxic materials are odorless and colorless
Common incidents:
Sick buildings
Odor complaints
Gas leaks inside a building
Explosions caused by gas grills

35. Decontamination
If first responder is expected to perform decontamination, then training is required
Decontamination is the physical removal of contaminants from:
People
Equipment
Environment

36. Types of Decontamination
Four general types of decontamination levels:
Emergency decontamination
Technical decontamination
Mass decontamination
Fine decontamination
Process of decontamination is chemical specific

37. Figure 28-31 One of the simplest forms of emergency decon is the use of a hoseline.

38. Figure Formal decontamination is used to remove any further contamination that may remain after gross decontamination.

39. Figure 28-35B Once additional resources arrive then the advanced plan for mass decon can be implemented.

40. Figure An example of the decontamination vehicle completely set up. The use of the tent adds an additional layer of privacy. (Courtesy of Maryland Department Environment ERD)

41. Decontamination Process
Several variations to decontamination process
Basic decontamination steps:
Tool drop
Gross decon
Scrubbing and rinse
PPE removal
SCBA removal
Clothing removal
Body wash and dry off
Medical evaluation, including rehydration

42. Figure 28-36 Mass decon plan for herding mass numbers of potentially contaminated people.

43. Methods of Decontamination
General methods of decontamination apply to:
Humans
Equipment
Environment
Consult with hazardous materials team or a chemist prior to using any method on a human

44. Absorption Spilled material picked up by absorbent material:
Ground-up newspaper
Clay
Kitty litter
Sawdust
Charcoal
Poly fiber
Compatibility needs to be researched prior to use

45. Adsorption
Material to be picked up bonds to outside of adsorption medium:
Activated carbon
Sand
Many chemical facilities have activated carbon stored

46. Chemical Degradation Ability to degrade a chemical varies
Much like neutralization
To degrade a chemical:
Another chemical is added or
Chemical is exposed to the elements

47. Dilution Dependent on chemical structure of spilled material
With corrosive, large quantities of water are required

48. Disinfection
With humans, a 0.5 percent bleach and water solution can be used for some etiological contaminants
Contact time is needed for success
Plain water has proven effective for biological contaminants

49. Evaporization
Is allowing a chemical to evaporate changing its state of matter?
Solid or liquid left in the open will eventually change to vapor (depending on vapor pressure)
Chemical approaching boiling point will evaporate
Material does not disappear but merely changes its state of matter

50. Isolation and Disposal
One of the easiest forms of decontamination
Isolate the contaminant, collect it using protective clothing, and then dispose of contaminant
Follow appropriate regulations

51. Neutralization Usually reserved for corrosive materials
Can reduce toxicity of a poisonous material
Consult with chemist prior to performing this type of activity

52. Sterilization Two primary methods of sterilization:
Combination of steam and high heat
Chemical sterilization
Steam and high heat useful for etiological contamination
Chlorine dioxide used to decontaminate buildings with anthrax contamination

53. Solidification
Depending on solidification agent used, it may alter the suspect agent
Some cases, solidification agent has no effect on agent
Will reduce hazard and enable sampling
Chemical compatibility must be confirmed

54. Vacuuming Used for solids, such as dust or fibers
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
Special vacuums are made for picking up mercury
Prevent mercury vapors from entering the air

55. Washing Done with soap and water
One of the more effective decontamination solutions
Soap and water merely removes contaminant
Use air monitors to test effectiveness of decontamination
Some response teams and emergency plans outline incident levels

56. Table 28-4 Methods of Decontamination

57. Lessons Learned Protective actions used for a variety of purposes
Management of a chemical-release is not an easy task
Determination for decontamination can also be a difficult decision
Choosing method of decontamination can be difficult
Provide isolation and prevent escalation