2007 3 rd Quarter Continuing Education Hazardous Materials Defensive Actions/ Emergency Decon This Continuing Education exercise is designed to cover the general responsibilities of a response to a possible Hazardous Materials or Weapons of Mass Destruction incident. To review a more in depth, and company specific outline, members should revisit SOP #14 Hazardous Materials Response and SOP #17 Incident Command System. The Standard Operating Procedures for the Cleveland Fire Department dictate all First Responding companies responding to a potential Hazardous Materials or Weapons of Mass Destruction incident shall perform in the Defensive Mode. Defensive Actions shall consist of: Respond Safely Establish Incident Command Notify the Proper Response Isolate the Area Identify the Material Involved Fire Control Leak Control (Remotely) Spill Control To accomplish these responsibilities the initial source of reference shall be the Emergency Response Guidebook issued by the Department of Transportation. The Incident Commander should attempt to use three sources of confirmation to assist in identifying the materials involved. These include: Physical Signs Visible signs of a release; dead animals, dead plants, sounds, pooling or leaking, odors or discoloration of the vessel; Location of Event Is the facility known to handle Hazardous Materials, what location in the facility, transportation method or storage method; Transportation Incidents Type of Rail Car, Tanker or Container; Symbols Placards, Labels, Markings, UN ID Number, Shipping Papers; Fixed Facility Information Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), NFPA 704 Placards, Company Inspection Reports, Fire Prevention Bureau Reports; Eye Witness Accounts Driver of Vehicle, Plant Manager, Workers. Emergency Response Guidebook The ERG is a resource to be utilized for information pertaining to a possible Hazardous Materials incident. It is important to remember the book is only designed to be used in the first thirty (30) minutes of an incident, any incident lasting longer than thirty minutes should have required a greater response with notifications to the Hazardous Materials Unit. The ERG lists approximately 3,400 chemicals, keep in mind that there are 3,000 new chemicals added annually to the 100,000 existing chemicals and the more than
5 million mixtures. This book is a guideline and a tool used to safely identify the proper response and initial actions to be taken when an incident has occurred. The ERG is broken into sections to assist the member in rapidly identifying the materials involved in the response. The Opening, Yellow and Blue Sections are designed to direct the First Responder to the proper Guide Page (Orange Section). Opening Section (Includes): o Instructions on use of ERG; o Example of shipping papers; o Safety Precautions; o Assistance References; o Hazard Classification System Table; o Table of Placards; o Rail Car Identification Chart; o Road Trailer Identification Chart; o Intermodal Hazard Identification Codes. Yellow Section: o This section will list the Hazardous Materials, in the ERG, by Numerical Order using the four-digit UN Identification Number. The UN ID Number can be found on the shipping papers, manifest, label and placards. Once the UN ID Number is located and reference is made in the Yellow Section of the ERG, the First Responder can then identify the Guide Page Number to reference for the Safety Precautions, Fire/Explosion Hazards, Health Hazards, Isolation Precautions and initial steps to consider in response. If the name of the chemical is highlighted, the First Responder shall reference the Green Section which is the Initial Isolation and Protective Action Zones. Blue Section: o This section will list the Hazardous materials, in the ERG, by Alphabetical Order. The name of the material can be identified through eye witness accounts, manifests, shipping papers and various other methods. Once the material is identified, and the ERG referenced, the First Responder can then identify the Guide Page Number to reference for the Safety Precautions, Fire/Explosion Hazards, Health Hazards, Isolation Precautions and initial steps to consider in response. If the name of the chemical is highlighted, the First Responder shall reference the Green Section which is the Initial Isolation and Protective Action Zones. Orange Section: o This is the most important section of the ERG, this is where the First Responder will locate the Guide Pages. There are Sixty-two (62) guides divided into two page sections. The Yellow and Blue sections are designed to direct the First Responder to this section. Remember; if the
material is highlighted in the Yellow and/or Blue Sections, the member must refer to the Green Section for the Initial Isolation and Protective Action Zones; o Each Guide Page will have two Potential Hazards: Fire/Explosion Hazards; Health Hazards. o Each Guide will have a Public Safety Section: Concerning proper protective gear; Evacuation considerations; Initial isolation areas. o Each Guide will have a Emergency Response Section: Recommended actions in the event of fire small or large; Recommended actions in the event of a spill or leak; Considerations and recommendations for First Aid. o Guide 111: Utilize when dealing with an unknown substance; Utilize when dealing with a Mixed Load. Introduction to The Initial Isolation and Protective Action Zones Section: o Discusses Factors to consider; o Defines Protective Actions; o Background on the Initial Isolation and Protective Action Table; o How to use the table. Green Section: o Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances; o The Initial Isolation Zone will be a circular zone the First Responding Companies shall establish when a material is highlighted; o The Protective Action Zone is an evacuation zone established when the material is highlighted, Initial Isolation Zone is established and wind direction is identified. The Protective Action Zone will establish the protective area to initiate Offensive Actions; o If a large group of potential victims has been identified i.e. Church, school or business, it may make sense to protect these individuals by utilizing a Protect in Place strategy. This would require sealing the building and shutting the HVAC systems, this would be utilized when evacuating potential victims would possibly cause greater exposure than Protecting in Place; o Protective Action Zones are separated into Small Spills (200 Liters or less) and Large Spills of greater than 200 Liters; o The Protective Action Zones also consider Day and Night operations. In the daytime the atmosphere tends to be more active and turbulent causing a greater dispersion of the material. In the nighttime the atmosphere tends to be less active and allows for a greater concentration of material for a longer period of time, therefore, causing greater risk for a larger area;
Defensive Actions o The Green Section will also list materials that are Water Reactive and susceptible to polymerization, volatile reactions when exposed to water. These materials will be identified in the Yellow and Blue Sections with a P next to the name of the material. The members of the Cleveland Fire Department have received training to the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Level. It is the goal of the Department to increase the level of training for its members to the Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations Level. It is through the completion of the Continuous Training requirements that this may be possible. For this reason the Standard Operating Procedures require the First Responding apparatus to commence an Operations Level Defensive Mode in the response to a suspected Hazardous Materials incident. The Awareness Level requires the companies to Notify, Isolate and Identify. The Operations response will require more responsibilities. It is important to always remember basic Risk versus Reward assessment skills on every response, risk little if there is little to gain. The Operations Level response will require companies to: Respond Safely: o You can not assist a person if you do not arrive on the scene. Respond in the appropriate mode with due caution. If suspected Hazardous Materials incident approach from upwind. If uncertain the wind direction, contact the Dispatch Center for the information. If special directions are required for next due companies, inform the Dispatch Center to inform the responding units; o Consult the ERG for Initial Isolation Distances and position apparatus appropriately. Establish Incident Command: o First arriving Company shall establish Command. Command will be maintained until relieved. For a more in depth review on the Incident Command System refer to SOP #17; o Consider a staging area for arriving companies; o Consider establishing a Command Post if incident warrants a Box Alarm or greater. Isolate the Area: o Utilize the ERG to establish Initial Isolation Zone and continue to the Protection Action Zone as needed; o Deny entry to civilians and unprotected personnel in the established zones except when protected members are effecting an emergency rescue; o Refer to the ERG for Daytime and Nighttime considerations; o Determine size of spill, Small (< 200 Liters) or Large (>200 Liters); o Consider evacuation methods; o Consider Shelter-in-Place options;
The public would be permitted to remain indoors with doors and windows closed (and sealed if possible) and HVAC systems shut down; When evacuation is impractical or would expose the public to possible greater harm or increased exposure to contaminant; When indoor exposure would be less than the health risk concern levels. Notify Proper Response: o Based on information established, the Incident Commander shall notify the Dispatch Center for the Level of Response required according to SOP #14; Level I Hazardous Materials Specialist if the perceived risk to life, environment and property is low and the situation is stable with little, or no, potential for change. This incident would be investigative only with no entry requiring chemical protective clothing; Level II FPB HazMat Specialist, Cars 700 and 702, the appropriate Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief (AC) 1. The Chief of the Division shall also be notified. This response is appropriate if perceived risk to life, environment and property is low and the situation is stable. A Stage II response is appropriate with spills or minor leaks where monitoring is required or minor recovery may be required, without extended entry; Level III FPB HazMat Specialist, Cars 700 and 702, Engine Company, Ladder Company, Rescue Squads 2 and 4, Car 171, Car 741, appropriate Battalion Chief, AC 1 and Air Supply 1. A Stage III response is appropriate when the perceived risk to life, environment and property is moderate, high or unknown. Situations where this response would be appropriate include unstable situations with known hazardous products or unknown products. A Stage III response includes capabilities of entry with chemical protective clothing, or special equipment is needed for plugging and repairing damaged containers. Leaks and spills located in the interior of a building would be a strong indicator for considering a Stage III response. Any release of an airborne Extremely Hazardous Substance would initiate this response; Level IV All Level III response units shall be notified and in addition, any additional Engine and Ladder companies, EMT Office, Chief of Division and Assigned Safety Officer. A Stage IV response is appropriate whenever any multiple contaminated victims are encountered. Incident Commanders shall establish an Isolation Zone where contaminated persons can be contained and the best possible alternative for quick emergency DECON implemented. Low-pressure handlines and fog streams can be
used. Do not wait for Car 701 to initiate emergency DECON. Consideration for runoff should be given attention but is not the primary concern. Identify the Materials Involved: o Utilize Physicals Signs; o Location; o Type of Transportation Method; o Symbols; o Fixed Facility Information; o Eye Witness Accounts; o Any additional resources that can be located. Fire Control: o Assess Risk versus Reward; o Assess results of tactics, i.e. attempting to extinguish a fire impinging on a pressurized cylinder with BLEVE potential or a gas line leak with flame; o Always ensure full Personal Protective Equipment is worn. Leak Control: o In Operations Level response Leak Control can only be accomplished through remote access; o Any Leak Control operations with exposure to the involved materials shall be accomplished by the Hazardous Materials Team. Spill Control: o While dealing with multiple persons exposed Spill Control is not the priority, it should be considered; o When manpower allows and the situation dictates Spill Control shall be designated and include the process of limiting the spread of the material into the environment; o Consider dispersing an airborne release with a water fog stream, if possible utilize a dike system also; o Consider a dike, dam system or the use of an absorbent with a liquid release; o Consider a blanket system for a solid release. DECON When encountering an individual, or multiple, victim(s), civilian or fire fighters, the First Responders must consider Decontamination methods prior to initiating medical care for the exposed individuals. Decontamination is the act of removing the majority of contaminants from an individual and/or equipment.
Can First Responders Do Decon? Yes, if it can be done safely! Live patients can not wait for Technical Decon to arrive! Contaminated live victims should receive immediate Emergency Decon! First Responders may encounter contaminated victims at the scene of a Hazardous Materials incident and could potentially contaminate themselves. Individuals contaminated during an incident must be immediately decontaminated and isolated from other people to prevent further injury and spread of the product. Proper First Aid can not be given to contaminated victims until they have been decontaminated. There are four types of Decon; Emergency Decon; Mass Decon; Technical Decon; Hospital; For the purposes of this Continuing Education exercise we will concern our selves with the two options available to the First Responder; Emergency Decon and Mass Decon. Emergency Decon: o There are four principles to Emergency Decon: Wet Strip Flush Cover o Perform Emergency Decon using copious amounts of water; o Ambulatory patients should receive directed instruction on Self- Decon; o Use tepid and low pressure water; o Remove clothing, 80% of the contaminates will be in the clothing; o Avoid overspray and splashing; o If corrosives are involved, flush area for 15-20 minutes; o Control runoff if possible or select a grassy area for the Emergency Decon, remember, Spill Control should be given a consideration is an emergency situation but it is not the main concern, decontamination is the main concern; o When patient will be transported to a medical facility: Notify transport crew and facility that patient may still be contaminated; Always provide Decon before transport; Minimize secondary respiratory threat by keeping windows, vents and exhaust open to exchange air.
Mass Decon: o Mass Decon is Emergency Decon for more people; o Main purposes of Mass Decon: Protect response and medical personnel; Remove chemical agent from Contaminated victims; Limit spread of contamination. o Time is Critical; o Use a Decon procedure that will: Cause the least harm Be the fastest approach Do the most good Help the most people o General Principles of Mass Decon: Expect at least a 5:1 ratio of unaffected to affected casualties; Decontaminate victims as soon as possible; Disrobing from head to toe is decontamination, more removal is better. Water flushing is generally the best Mass Decon method; After a known exposure to a chemical agent, emergency responders should be decontaminated as soon as possible. Decontamination for Contaminated First Responders: o Contaminated clothing and equipment must be bagged and tagged; o First Responders who have been contaminated but are not in need of immediate medical attention shall report to an established decontamination area as established by the Hazardous Materials Team and their clothing, equipment and accessory items must be left at the decontamination area; o The decontamination procedure should be familiar to the Awareness Level Trained First Responder. It is important to remember that the Decontamination methods discussed in this Continuing Education deals specifically Emergency and Mass Decon methods when First Responders arrive on the scene with a victim or victims who have been contaminated and must be decontaminated rapidly in order to reduce the risk or exposure and spread of the involved material. These victims may also require immediate First Aid or medical care and First Responders may not initiate care until decontamination has occurred. If decontamination is required for the Hazardous Materials Team that has initiated Offensive Actions to draw the incident to a conclusion proper decontamination methods will apply. A Decon Officer will be established in the Cold Zone and an Entry Point established for the Decontamination of the operating teams as they withdraw from the affected areas. For more in depth Decontamination methods, members should refer to SOP #14.