VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT PLANNING, RESEARCH & AUDIT SECTION

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1 VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT PLANNING, RESEARCH & AUDIT SECTION ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT REPORT DATE: January 1 st, 2010 BOARD MEETING: January 20 th, 2010 BOARD REPORT # 1005 Regular TO: FROM: Vancouver Police Board Jim Chu, Chief Constable SUBJECT: Amendments to the Regulations and Procedures Manual Section Dangerous Goods, Gas and Electricity and Section Train Derailments RECOMMENDATION(S): It is recommended that the Vancouver Police Board (VPB) approves: POLICY: 1. Amendments to combine two policies within the Regulations and Procedure Manual (RPM): s Dangerous Goods, Gas and Electricity and s Train Derailments and rename it: s Hazardous Materials; and 2. This file be concluded THAT, the Vancouver Police Board approve the amendments to the Regulations and Procedures Manual pursuant to Section 28 of the Police Act. PURPOSE: THAT, the following amendments to the Regulations and Procedures Manual be submitted to the Vancouver Police Board for their consideration and approval, and subsequent forwarding to Police Services as required by Section 28 of the Police Act.

2 BACKGROUND: In October 2006, the Department hired additional staff for its Emergency and Operational Planning Section (EOPS). As part of the sections objectives, all policies relating to VPD emergency operations were reviewed, including s Dangerous Goods, Gas and Electricity and s Train Derailments. DISCUSSION/IMPLICATIONS/ALTERNATIVES The following summarizes the proposed changes: 1. Changing the name to Hazardous Materials; 2. Combining s with s (Train Derailments); and, 3. Condensing the material to focus on providing initial containment of the scene. More specifically, members arriving first on the scene at a Hazardous Materials incident shall attempt to abide by the recommended standard containment guideline of 100 meters, unless there are mitigating factors such as the possibility it is a CBRNE incident or fire accompanying the spill or leak. A member can not be expected to give an accurate assessment of the incident, such as the type or size of spills; doing so would require extensive and specialized training. Therefore, they shall defer to the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Service (VFRS) for containment requirements, as they are considered experts in terms of containment for hazardous materials incidents. In the case where VFRS is first on the scene members will take direction from them providing containment and assistance where necessary (e.g. crowd or traffic control). If VFRS is not on scene then the member or their Patrol Supervisor will contact VFRS (via E-Comm) to determine the initial steps to be taken. If time permits members may also refer to the Emergency Response Guide 2008 (ERG) for containment guidelines. It is designed to assist first responders in making safety and containment decisions upon arriving at the scene of a dangerous goods incident. It contains information, directives, and research relating to Emergency Operations. The proposed Hazardous Materials policy contains the basic initial steps that members must understand to respond to an incident. The ERG offers more extensive information and has an easy to locate index so readers can locate a topic quickly. Finally, it is practical to include train derailment incidents in the Hazardous Materials policy given that the primary concern at a train derailment, after preservation of life, is the possibility of a dangerous goods spill. CONCLUSION: The proposed policy combines s Train Derailments and s Dangerous Goods, Gas and Electricity and renames it s Hazardous Materials. The new policy provides simplified instructions for members to ensure their own and the public s safety at Hazardous Materials incidents. It also includes a link to the ERG. The Executive Committee of the Vancouver Police Department has approved the proposed 2

3 amendments outlined in this report and request that the Vancouver Police Board approve and adopt these procedures. Author: Drazen Manojlovic Telephone: Date: Jan 13, 2010 Submitting Executive Member (signature): Date: This report has been prepared in consultation with the sections/divisions listed below, and they concur with its contents. Concurring: Date: Date: Date: 3

4 APPENDIX 1 EXISTING PROCEDURE Dangerous Goods, Gas and Electricity Members observing overhead wires down, gas leakage, broken water mains, incidents involving dangerous goods, or any other dangerous or potentially dangerous situation, shall notify E- COMM. When necessary, members shall isolate the area and remain at the scene until all danger has passed or until such time as the authorities concerned have provided control. The responsibility for rescue and treatment shall remain with the Fire and Rescue Services. Attending police members shall render every assistance possible, especially in the matter of traffic control. Members attending these incidents will be governed by the following guidelines. 1. Electrical Wires Down a. Any downed or displaced wires, or vehicles or other structures contacting them, must be regarded as energized and therefore potentially lethal, regardless of appearance. It must be emphasized that electrical wires are high voltage and are to be considered extremely hazardous. b. Members of both the Police and Fire and Rescue Services are NOT to assume, under any circumstances, that electrical power at a scene has been shut off. It is mandatory for trained BC Hydro personnel to attend at the scene to test and ground the system before it can be considered safe. c. The Officer/NCO in command at the scene and the BC Hydro Supervisor MUST confirm the safety of the situation before any rescue attempt will be made. d. Members must be specific when advising BC Hydro of the location of the problem. It is also the responsibility of BC Hydro personnel to determine the exact location of the problem area to their satisfaction. 2. Gas Leakage a. Extremely hazardous conditions exist at the scenes of gas leakage. Members must take precautions when approaching these areas as automobile motors, flashlights, portable radios, et cetera, can ignite gas. b. A BC Gas supervisor and crew will respond with the Fire and Rescue Services to any emergency involving gas leakage into a building, or a building explosion or fire. c. Police members will attend these situations with the exception of a minor gas leak where attendance will be at the request of the Fire and Rescue Services or BC Gas. 4

5 d. The decision to evacuate people in dangerous or potentially dangerous situations will be at the discretion of the BC Gas supervisor at the scene. Police and Fire and Rescue members will assist with the evacuation. 3. Dangerous Goods a. Incidents involving dangerous goods may result in the release of hazardous or lethal fumes. Some dangerous goods may be hazardous up to a distance of 775 meters. If the container involved is exposed to direct flame, they may be hazardous up to a radius of 1,550 meters. b. Vehicle operators transporting commercial quantities of dangerous goods are required to carry a shipping manifest that provides information on the dangerous goods. A clearly marked placard must also be displayed on some vehicles and tankers, depending on the type and quantity of dangerous goods transported. The Central Dispatcher has an Emergency Response Guide for Dangerous Goods that can be used to determine the appropriate action from placard markings and codes. c. In on view situations the member shall: Keep upwind and isolate the hazard area, maintaining as much distance as possible given the circumstances of the spill. Vehicles and other sources of ignition must be kept at least 30 meters from the possible ignition area Advise radio of the situation and provide any information available on the dangerous goods involved including placard markings and codes; Request the attendance of a NCO Request assistance to isolate the area Request the attendance of the Fire and Rescue Services and Emergency Health Services and specify the involvement of dangerous goods. d. Where a call involving dangerous goods is received by the E-COMM the Central Dispatcher shall: Determine any information available on the dangerous goods involved and the appropriate response procedure Assign a primary unit to attend Notify a NCO to attend Notify the Fire and Rescue Services and Emergency Health Services to attend and specify the involvement of a dangerous good. 5

6 Existing Procedure Train Derailments Members shall allow access to Canada Safety Officers, representing Labour Canada, at railway derailment sites where dangerous substances are involved. These officers carry identification in the form of a certificate of authority issued by the Minister of Labour. 6

7 APPENDIX 2 PROPOSED PROCEDURE FOI recommendation: for public release Hazardous Materials Policy Members may encounter emergency situations involving the leaking or spilling of dangerous goods or high-voltage electrical exposure from wires down. During these events, containment is of the utmost importance to protect the public, members and other emergency personnel. Incidents involving dangerous goods may result in the release of hazardous or lethal fumes. Some dangerous goods may be hazardous up to a distance of 775 meters. If the container involved is exposed to direct flame, they may be hazardous up to a radius of 1,550 meters. The Emergency Response Guide 2008 (ERG) is a guidebook designed to assist first responders upon arriving at the scene of a dangerous goods incident (available on the Intranet. E-Comm also has access to the guide. This policy does not address Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosion Incidents, refer to s Procedure Electrical Wires Down - Members shall: 1. Assume that downed wires, displaced wires, vehicles or other structures in contact with them are energized and potentially lethal; a. if the wires down are dry the containment distance is 30 meters; and, b. if they are wet it is 100 meters; 2. Not attempt to rescue anyone until advised it is safe to do so by a Supervisor and BC Hydro representative; and, 3. Contain the scene until advised by a BC Hydro representative that the site is safe. Dangerous Goods may include, but are not limited to: compressed gases, flammable liquids, radioactive materials, and corrosive, poisonous, or oxidizing substances. All of the information below refers to a spill or leak that it is not a CBRNE incident. 7

8 Members shall: 1. Notify a Supervisor; 2. Request via E-Comm that Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) attend, if not already on-scene or enroute; 3. Whenever possible stay uphill and/or upwind of the dangerous goods; 4. In consultation with VFRS and/or Terasen Gas: a. evacuate the area for minimum of 100 meters; or b. shelter-in-place (a location where you can close doors and/or windows); and, c. assist with the evacuation. 5. Consult with the ERG or E-Comm, to determine appropriate action referencing any placard markings posted on the tanker or container. Take precautions at the scene to prevent potential ignition from sources that can create sparks and electrical discharges (e.g., vehicles, portable radios, and smoking); 6. Await the arrival of and further instruction from a Terasen Gas Representative and the VFRS to all emergencies involving a natural gas leak; and 7. In the event of a train derailment: allow access to representatives from Transport Canada, Transport Safety Board and those responsible for the rail line and rail cars involved. The Patrol Supervisor shall: 8. Advise the Duty Officer; 9. Consider the need for additional resources (e.g., perimeter control, containment, possible evacuation); 10. Advise BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) via E-Comm; and, 11. Consult with VFRS Supervisor and/or Terasen Gas and/or BC Hydro Representative to confirm the safety of a site before allowing members or the public access. 8

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