Awareness- and Operational-Level Supplementary Presentation

1
Awareness- and Operational-Level Supplementary
Presentation

• Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd
  Ed.

2
Awareness Actions at Haz Mat Incidents

• Consider wind direction and terrain.
• Implement the IMS.
• Use the ERG.
• Isolate and evacuate the area.
• Call for additional assistance.
• Avoid physical contact with the material.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Eliminate ignition sources.

3
Operational Actionsat Haz Mat Incidents

• Protect exposures when fire is involved.
• Wear full PPE, SCBA, or other respiratory
  protection when operating in or near the danger
  zone.
• Conduct rescues as safe and appropriate.

4
Class 1 Container Types

• Cartridges (paper or plastic)
• Plastic tubes
• Fiberboard cartons
• Metal cans
• Multiwalled paper bags
• Special cargo trucks

5
Awareness Actions at Explosives (No Fire)
Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Move people out of line of sight of the scene.
• Review the vehicles shipping papers.
• Visually inspect the load from a safe distance.
• Eliminate ignition sources.

6
Operational Actions at Explosives (No Fire)
Incidents

• Consult the appropriate technical specialists.
• Ground all equipment used when handling the
  product.
• Protect the cargo from contamination and shock.
• Have the responsible party make the necessary
  contacts for transfer or disposal of the load.

7
Actions to Avoid at Explosives (No Fire)
Incidents

• Do not touch explosive materials or their
  containers.
• Do not operate radio transmitters within 330 feet
  (100 m) of electric detonators (according to the
  ERG).

8
Actions at Explosives on Fire Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational Do not fight fire when fire reaches
  cargo or explosives! Withdraw to a safe distance
  according to ERG guidelines, and let the fire
  burn.

9
Operational Actions to Avoid at Explosives on
Fire Incidents

• Do not move, touch, or shock explosives that have
  been exposed to heat.

10
Actions at Explosives Threatened by Fire
Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Extinguish the fire quickly before it progresses
  into the area where explosives are stored or
  contained.
• Confine runoff water.

11
Operational Actions to Avoid at Explosives
Threatened by Fire Incidents

• Do not move, touch, or shock explosives that have
  been exposed to heat.
• Avoid shocking, dislodging, or mixing nearby
  explosives with fire streams.

12

• WARNING
• The Institute of Makers of Explosives and DOT
  recommend that first responders not make an
  attack on fires involving explosives. Instead,
  they should withdraw and let the fire burn.

13

• WARNING
• First responders should never handle explosive
  devices.

14
Class 2 Container Types

• Pressure cylinders
• Pressure tanks
• Pipelines

15
Awareness Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak
(No Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Stay out of low areas.

16
Operational Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Allow substance to evaporate as appropriate.
• Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor
  cloud drift, and prevent runoff from contacting
  spilled material.
• Prevent liquids/runoff water from entering
  waterways, sewers, basements, or confined areas.

(1 of 2)
17
Operational Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Ventilate the area.
• Stop the leak by closing the remote valve if it
  is safe to do so.

(2 of 2)
18
Operational Actions to Avoid at Nonflammable Gas
Leak (No Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

19
Awareness Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.

20
Operational Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Move undamaged containers from fire area if it is
  safe to do so.
• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of
  surrounding fire if tank is not engulfed.
• Fight fire from the maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams.

(1 of 2)
21
Operational Actions at Nonflammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Cool containers with flooding quantities of
  water.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks.
• Use unattended hose streams for massive fires. If
  this action is not possible, withdraw from the
  area and let the fire burn.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
22
Operational Actions to Avoid at Nonflammable Gas
Leak (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

23
Awareness Actions at Oxidizing Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Keep combustible materials such as wood, paper,
  and oil away from spilled materials.

24
Operational Actions at Oxidizing Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Allow substances to evaporate as appropriate.
• Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor
  cloud drift, and prevent runoff water from
  contacting spilled material. Do not direct water
  at spill or leak source.
• Prevent liquids/runoff from entering waterways,
  sewers, basements, or confined areas.
• Stop leak by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.

25
Awareness Actions at Oxidizing Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.

26
Operational Actions at Oxidizing Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Move undamaged containers from fire area if it is
  safe to do so.
• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of
  surrounding fire if tank is not engulfed in fire.
• Fight fire from maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams.

(1 of 2)
27
Operational Actions at Oxidizing Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Cool containers with flooding quantities of
  water.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks.
• Use unattended hose streams for massive fire. If
  this action is not possible, withdraw from the
  area and let the fire burn.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
28
Operational Actions to Avoid at Oxidizing Gas
Leak (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

29
Awareness Actions at Poison Gas Leak (No Fire)
Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Stay out of low areas.

30
Operational Actions at Poison Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Keep water from getting inside containers and
  contacting spilled materials if
  possible/appropriate.
• Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor
  cloud drift, and prevent runoff water from
  contacting spilled material. Do not direct water
  at spill or source of leak.

(1 of 2)
31
Operational Actions at Poison Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Prevent liquids/runoff water from entering
  waterways, sewers, basements, or confined areas.
• Ventilate the area.
• Stop leak by closing remote valve it it is safe
  to do so.

(2 of 2)
32
Awareness Actions at Poison Gas Leak (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.

33
Operational Actions at Poison Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Keep water from getting inside containers and
  contacting spilled materials if
  possible/appropriate.
• Move undamaged containers from fire area if safe
  to do so.
• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

(1 of 3)
34
Operational Actions at Poison Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of
  surrounding fire if tank is not engulfed in fire.
• Fight fire from maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams.
• Cool containers with flooding quantities of water
  until well after fire is extinguished.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks.

(2 of 3)
35
Operational Actions at Poison Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Use unattended hose streams for massive fire. If
  this action is not possible, withdraw from the
  area and let the fire burn.
• Protect exposures.

(3 of 3)
36
Operational Actions to Avoid at Poison Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

37
Awareness Actions at Flammable Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Stay out of low areas.

38
Operational Actions at Flammable Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor
  cloud drift, and confine runoff water as
  appropriate.
• Prevent vapors and/or runoff water from entering
  waterways, sewers, basements, or confined areas.

(1 of 2)
39
Operational Actions at Flammable Gas Leak (No
Fire) Incidents

• Stop leak by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.
• Ground all equipment used to handle the
  product/containers, use nonsparking tools,
  explosion-proof ventilation fans, etc.

(2 of 2)
40
Operational Actions to Avoid at Flammable Gas
Leak (No Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

41
Awareness Actions at Flammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate the area according to ERG
  guidelines.

42
Operational Actions at Flammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Do not extinguish a leaking gas fire unless the
  leak can be stopped.
• Move undamaged containers from the fire area if
  it is safe to do so.
• Cool containers with flooding quantities of water
  until well after fire is extinguished.

(1 of 2)
43
Operational Actions at Flammable Gas Leak
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks.
• Fight tank fires from maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams.
• Use unattended hose streams for massive fires. If
  this is not possible, withdraw from the area and
  let the fire burn.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
44
Operational Actions to Avoid at Flammable Gas
Leak (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Do not direct water at the source of the leak or
  safety devices because icing may occur.

45
Class 3 Container Types

• Metal cans
• Pails
• Drums
• Tanks
• Pipelines

46
Awareness Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.

47
Operational Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Stop leak by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.
• Use appropriate vapor suppressing foam to reduce
  vapors.
• Ground all equipment used to handle the
  product/containers, use nonsparking tools,
  explosion-proof ventilation fans, etc.

(1 of 2)
48
Operational Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Dike waterways, sewers, basements, or confined
  areas to prevent liquids from entering.
• Divert leaking liquids away from the incident
  scene and exposures.
• Dike and dam far ahead of the liquid for
  retention and later disposal.

(2 of 2)
49
Awareness Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

50
Operational Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Stop leaks by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.
• Lay initial hoselines.
• Establish a continuous water supply of sufficient
  volume to control the incident.

(1 of 3)
51
Operational Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Cool containers with flooding quantities of
  water.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
• Fight tank fires from maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams.

(2 of 3)
52
Operational Actions at Flammable/ Combustible
Liquid Spill (Involving Fire) Incidents

• Use unattended hose streams for massive fire. If
  this action is not possible, withdraw from the
  area and let the fire burn.
• Protect exposures.
• Control flowing liquid material as appropriate.

(3 of 3)
53
Operational Actions to Avoid at Flammable/
Combustible Liquid Spill (Involving Fire)
Incidents

• Avoid use of straight streams. Use water spray,
  fog, or appropriate foam solutions however, be
  aware that water spray alone may be
  inefficient/ineffective for fighting flammable
  liquid fires.

54
Class 4 Container Types

• Tubes
• Pails
• Steel drums
• Fiberboard drums
• Cardboard boxes
• Bags

55
Actions at Flammable Solid Spill (No Fire)
Incidents

• Awareness
• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Operational Isolate and confine the material
  prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements,
  or other confined areas if possible.

56
Awareness Actions at Flammable Solid Spill
(Involving Fire or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

57
Operational Actions at Flammable Solid Spill
(Involving Fire or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Cool tank or containers with flooding quantities
  of water until well after fire is extinguished.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

(1 of 3)
58
Operational Actions at Flammable Solid Spill
(Involving Fire or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Use appropriate extinguishing agents to
  extinguish small quantities of burning flammable
  solids.
• Allow large quantities of flammable solids to
  burn because these fires may be difficult to
  extinguish.

(2 of 3)
59
Operational Actions at Flammable Solid Spill
(Involving Fire or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Fight fire from the maximum distance or use
  unattended hose streams if extinguishment of
  large fires is attempted.
• Protect exposures.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain any runoff water
  after fire-extinguishment activities.

(3 of 3)
60
Actions at Spontaneously Combustible Material
Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Awareness
• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Operational Prevent entry into waterways,
  sewers, basements, or confined areas.

61
Actions at Spontaneously Combustible Material
Spill (Involving Fire or Flame Impingement)
Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Withdraw and let the fire consume the fuel
• Protect exposures.

62
Awareness Actions at Dangerous-When-Wet
Material Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Keep combustibles away.

63
Operational Actions at Dangerous-When-Wet
Material Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Prevent contact with water or wet materials if
  possible to do in a defensive manner.
• Using ERG guidelines, cover small powder spills
  of noncorrosive water-reactive materials with a
  plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spread and keep
  powder dry.

64
Actions at Dangerous-When-Wet Material Spill
(Involving Fire or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Usually, the best, safest option is to withdraw
  and let the fire consume the fuel.
• Protect exposures.

65
Operational Actions to Avoid at
Dangerous-When-Wet Material Spill (Involving Fire
or Flame Impingement) Incidents

• Do not use water or foam if fire control is
  attempted.
• Do not let water get inside containers when
  attempting to cool containers threatened/involved
  in fire with unattended fire streams.

66
Class 5 Container Types

• Plastic-lined, multi-ply paper
• Metal tins
• Fiberboard
• Plastic
• Metal drums
• Portable, stationary, and applicator tanks

67
Actions at Oxidizer Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Awareness
• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Keep combustibles away.
• Withdraw if in doubt about actions to take.
• Operational Dam, dike, divert, or retain from a
  distance as appropriate and when safe.

68
Awareness Actions at Oxidizer Spill (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

69
Operational Actions at Oxidizer Spill (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Withdraw and let the fire consume the fuel.
• Flood the fire area with water from a safe
  distance if the decision is made to fight the
  fire.
• Cool tanks or containers with flooding quantities
  of water until well after fire is extinguished.

(1 of 2)
70
Operational Actions at Oxidizer Spill (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
71
Awareness Actions at Organic Peroxide Spill (No
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Eliminate all ignition sources.
• Keep combustibles away.
• Withdraw.

72
Actions at Organic Peroxide Spill (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Withdraw and let the fire consume the fuel.
• Protect exposures.

73
Class 6 Container Types

• Intermodal portable tanks
• Tank trucks
• Railroad tank cars
• Barges
• Marine tankers
• Small vials packed in strong containers
  (infectious substances)

74
Actions at Poisonous Material Spill (No Fire
Incidents)

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Stop leak by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.
• Cover spills of solids with tarps or plastic
  sheeting to prevent spreading.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain material as
  appropriate prevent entry into waterways,
  sewers, basements, or other confined areas.

75
Operational Actions to Avoid at Poisonous
Material Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Avoid getting water inside containers.

76
Awareness Actions at Poisonous Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

77
Operational Actions at Poisonous Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Withdraw and let the fire burn, which in many
  cases is the best option.
• Follow ERG expert guidance for the material
  involved if the decision is made to fight the
  fire.

(1 of 2)
78
Operational Actions at Poisonous Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Cool tanks or containers with flooding quantities
  of water until well after fire is extinguished.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain material and/or
  runoff water as appropriate.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
79
Actions at Infectious Substance Spill (No Fire)
Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational Cover damaged packages or spilled
  substances (without touching them) with damp
  towels or rags, and keep them wet with liquid
  bleach or other disinfectant.

80
Actions at Infectious Substance Spill (Involving
Fire) Incidents

• Awareness Isolate and evacuate area according
  to ERG guidelines.
• Operational
• Allow the fire to burn and destroy the infectious
  substance.
• Protect exposures.

81
Class 7 Container Types

• Type A
• Cardboard boxes
• Wooden crates
• Cylinders
• Metal drums
• Type B
• Steel-reinforced concrete casks
• Lead pipe
• Heavy-gauge metal drums

82
Awareness Actions at Radioactive Material (No
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate according to ERG guidelines.
• Use time, distance, and shielding for protection.

83
Awareness Actions at Radioactive Material
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.
• Use time, distance, and shielding for protection.

84
Operational Actions at Radioactive Material
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Extinguish the fire according to normal
  procedures unless the material is corrosive or
  water-sensitive in which case, do not use water
  or foam.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain runoff water from
  fire-extinguishment activities as appropriate.
• Protect exposures.

85
Class 8 Container Types

• Glass/plastic bottles
• Carboys
• Plastic drums
• Fiberboard drums
• Multilayered paper bags

86
Awareness Actions at Corrosive Material Spill (No
Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

87
Operational Actions at Corrosive Material Spill
(No Fire) Incidents

• Stop leak by closing remote valve if it is safe
  to do so.
• Cover spills of solids with tarps or plastic
  sheeting to prevent spreading.
• Use foam to reduce vapors when appropriate.
• Use fog streams to disperse or redirect vapors
  when appropriate.

(1 of 2)
88
Operational Actions at Corrosive Material Spill
(No Fire) Incidents

• Control and confine runoff water created by
  vapor-control activities.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain material as
  appropriate prevent entry into waterways,
  sewers, basements, or other confined areas
  prevent contact with organic materials and other
  corrosives.

(2 of 2)
89
Operational Actions to Avoid at Corrosive
Material Spill (No Fire) Incidents

• Do not let water get inside containers or contact
  spilled material.

90
Awareness Actions at Corrosive Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Isolate and evacuate area according to ERG
  guidelines.

91
Operational Actions at Corrosive Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• Withdraw and let the fire burn, which in most
  cases is the best option water can make the
  situation worse.
• Follow ERG/expert guidance for the material
  involved if the decision is made to fight the
  fire.

(1 of 2)
92
Operational Actions at Corrosive Material Spill
(Involving Fire) Incidents

• Cool tanks or containers with flooding quantities
  of water until well after fire is extinguished.
  Do not let water get inside containers.
• Dike, dam, divert, and retain material and/or
  runoff water as appropriate.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
  venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
• Protect exposures.

(2 of 2)
93
Summary

• Each hazardous materials incident is unique. The
  response to a specific hazardous materials
  incident will depend on the type of material
  involved, such as flammable or poisonous
  materials. Both awareness and operational level
  first responders must know what actions they
  should take at specific haz mat incidents.

94
Awareness- and Operational-Level Supplementary
Presentation

• Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd
  Ed.