Chapter 3 Implementing the Response: Awareness Level Actions at Hazard Incidents

Question 1

Toxic Inhalation Hazard

TIH

Answer 1

Volatile liquid or gas known to be a severe hazard to human health during transportation.

Question 2

Polymerization

Answer 2

Chemical reactions in which two or more molecules chemically combined to form larger molecules; this reaction can often be violent.

Question 3

Initial Isolation Distance

Answer 3

Distance within which all persons are considered for evacuation in all directions from a hazardous materials incident.

Question 4

Initial Isolation Zone

Answer 4

Circular zone, with a radius equivalent to the initial isolation distance, within which persons may be exposed to dangerous concentrations upwind of the source and may be exposed to life-threatening concentrations downwind of the source.

Question 5

Street Clothes

Answer 5

Clothing that is anything other than chemical protective clothing or structural firefighters’ protective clothing, including work uniforms and ordinary civilian clothing.

Question 6

Structural Firefighters’ Protective Clothing

Answer 6

General term for the equipment worn by fire and emergency services responders; includes helmets, coats, pants, boots, eye protection, gloves, protective hoods, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and personal alert safety system (PASS) devices.

Question 7

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

SCBA

Answer 7

Respirator worn by the user that supplies a breathable atmosphere that is either carried in or generated by the apparatus and is independent of the ambient atmosphere. Respiratory protection is worn in all atmospheres that are considered to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). Also known as Air Mask or Air Pack.

Question 8

Chemical Protective Clothing

CPC

Answer 8

Clothing designed to shield or isolate individuals from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered during operations involving hazardous materials.

Question 9

Evacuation

Answer 9

Control the process of leaving or being removed from a potentially hazardous location, typically involving relocating people from an area of danger or potential risk to a safer place.

Question 10

Decontamination

Answer 10

Process of removing a hazardous foreign substance from a person, clothing, or area. Also known as Decon.

Question 11

Cross Contamination

Answer 11

Contamination of people, equipment, or the environment outside the hot zone without contacting the primary source of contamination. Also known as Secondary Contamination.

Question 12

Protective Action Distance

Answer 12

Downwind distance from a hazardous materials incident within which protective actions should be implemented.

Question 13

Isolation Perimeter

Answer 13

Outer boundary of an incident that is controlled to prevent entrance by the public or unauthorized persons.

Question 14

Defending in Place

Answer 14

Taking offensive action to protect persons in immediate danger at hazmat incidents.

Question 15

Sheltering in Place

Answer 15

Having occupants remain in a structure or vehicle in order to provide protection from a rapidly approaching hazard, such as a fire or hazardous gas cloud. Opposite of evacuation. Also known as Protection-in-Place, Sheltering, and Taking Refuge.

Question 16

Incidental Release

Answer 16

Spill or release of a hazardous material where the substance can be absorbed, neutralized, or otherwise controlled at the time of released by employees in the immediate release area, or by maintenance personnel who are not considered to be emergency responders.