Command Operations 204s Flashcards
In many cases, evaluations by ____ ____ before commitment, is the safest approach.
Hazardous Mat team members.
Identify a hazardous area based on potential danger, taking into account materials involved, time of day, wind and weather conditions, location of the incident and degree of risk to unprotected personnel. Take immediate action to evacuate and/or rescue persons in critical danger, if possible, providing for safety of rescuers FIRST.
The primary objective is to evacuate, decon and treat any injured or exposed people.
The next objective is to identify the type of material(s) involved. Look for labels, markers, DOT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, NFPA DIAMOND or shipping papers, etc. Refer to pre-plans and ask personnel at the scene for additional information (plant management, responsible party, truck drivers, and fire department specialist). Use reference materials carried on apparatus, and have Dispatch contact other sources for assistance when sizing up the problem (state agencies, fire department specialists, manufacturers of materials, etc.).
Once the hazardous material is identified Command must formulate an Action Plan designed to mitigate the situation after considering the risk benefit model.
204.01
4/7
A Haz Mat action plan must provide for:
- Safety of all fire members
- Safety and/or Evacuation of all citizens in the endangered area
- Control of situation
- Stabilization of hazardous materials, and/or
- Disposal or removal of hazardous material
Most hazardous materials are maintained in a safe condition for handling and use through confinement in a container or protective system. The emergency is usually related to the material escaping from the protective container or system and creating a hazard on the exterior. The strategic plan must include a method to control the flow or release, get the hazardous material back into a safe container, neutralize it, allow it to dissipate safely, or coordinate proper disposal.
The specific action plan must identify the method of hazard control and identify the resources necessary to accomplish this goal. It may be necessary to select one method over another, due to the unavailability of a particular resource, or to adopt a “holding action” to wait for needed equipment or supplies.
Avoid committing members or civilians and equipment prematurely or “experimenting” with techniques and tactics. Many times, it is necessary to evacuate and wait for special equipment or TECHNICAL help.
As a general policy, the Hazardous Materials Team will respond to any situation where a private contractor is required to clean-up hazardous materials.
204.01
5/7
A hazardous material incident has two initial zones associated with the scene, similar to a fire. They are the _______ and the ____________.
Limited Access Zone and Evacuation zone.
204.01
The ____ is the area in which members are potentially, or in immediate danger from the hazardous condition.
Limited Access Zone(LAZ).
The LAZ is the area in which members are potentially, or in immediate danger from the hazardous condition.
This is established by Command and controlled by the Fire Department (Site Control Sector). Access to this area will be rigidly controlled and only members with proper protective equipment and an assigned activity will enter. All companies will remain intact in designated staging areas until assigned. Members will be assigned to monitor entry and exit of all personnel from the LAZ. The LAZ should be geographically described to all responding units, if possible, and identified by yellow hazard tape. (A Lobby Control Sector will be established to control access to the LAZ and maintain an awareness of which members are working in the area.)
Sector Officers may/will need to:
• Request adequate assistance to maintain the perimeter.
• Identify an entrance/exit point and inform Command of its location.
• Coordinate with Hazard Sector to identify required level of protection for members operating in the Hazard Zone.
• Collect/return accountability PASSPORTS of all companies entering/leaving the controlled area.
Restriction of access in the LAZ includes not only Fire Department members, but any others who may wish to enter the LAZ (Police, press, employees, tow truck drivers, ambulance personnel, etc.). Command is responsible for everyone’s safety.
204.01
6/7
The ___ is the larger area surrounding the LAZ in which a lesser degree of risk to members exists.(All civilians will also be removed from this area.)
Evacuation Zone.
The EZ is the larger area surrounding the LAZ in which a lesser degree of risk to members exists. All civilians will also be removed from this area. The limits of this zone will be enforced by the Police Department based on distances and directions established in consultation with Command. The area to be evacuated depends on the nature and amount of the material and type of risk it presents to unprotected members (toxic, explosive, etc.).
In some cases, it is necessary to completely evacuate a radius around a site for a certain distance (i.e., potential explosion). In other cases, it may be advisable to evacuate a path downwind where toxic or flammable vapors may be carried (and control ignition sources in case of flammable vapors).
(Reference: Evacuation Sector, Police Liaison Sector)
NOTE:
When toxic or irritant vapors are being carried downwind, it may be most effective to, (shelter in place), keep everyone indoors with windows and doors closed to prevent contact with the material instead of evacuating the area. In these cases, companies will be assigned to patrol the area assisting citizens in shutting down ventilation systems and evacuating persons with susceptibility to respiratory problems.
In all cases, the responsibility for safety of all potentially endangered citizens rests with Command. Once the Hazardous Materials Sector has been established, Haz Mat members will define and establish a hot (LAZ), warm (EZ) and cold zones (unaffected). These zones will remain in effect for the remainder of the incident.
204.01
7/7
Factors to consider when evaluating the evacuation need(Hazmat)include:(read only)
- Product Toxicity (as a health hazard)
- Concentrations (before it becomes a health hazard)
- Length of Time Exposed
- Weather Conditions (temperature, humidity)
- Wind Direction (direction, speed)
- Wind Changes
- Predicted Weather Changes
- Distances From Site Requiring Evacuation
- Evacuation Risk to Public (bringing them outdoors)
- Infiltration into Buildings
- Shelter Locations
- Transportation Needs and Availability
- Evacuation Time Factors
- Resources for Evacuation
- Density of Population in The Area
The decision to evacuate needs to be considered quickly and early. Delays in initiating evacuation can expose greater numbers of the public to the hazardous product. An unnecessary evacuation should be avoided. However, once the hazard has been identified and verified, the process of deciding who, when, and how to evacuate should proceed quickly. Consider using the Reverse911 system through Mesa Alarm to notify the public that may be threatened.
204.01A
4/12
In some situations, in-place sheltering can be used to protect the public rather than to initiate an evacuation. In-place sheltering can be considered during the following circumstances:(read only)
-The hazardous material has been identified as having a low or moderate level health risk.
-The material has been released from its container and is now dissipating.
-Leaks can be controlled rapidly and before evacuation can be completed.
-Exposure to the product is expected to be short-term and of low health risk.
-The public can be adequately protected by staying indoors.
204.01A
4/12
Once the decision to evacuate has been made. Command’s responsibilities include the following items:(read only)
- Rapidly size-up the situation to determine the need to evacuate.
- Determine evacuation perimeters.
- Determine the number and location of shelter sites and communicate the locations to the command organization. (Use the CAD INFO SHELTERS or the Red Disaster Operations Manual for shelters and maps.)
- Order evacuation.
- Provide resources required.
- Establish Police liaison.
- Order the alert of other appropriate agencies.
- Expand the command organization to meet the incident/evacuation needs.
- Establish an evacuation plan and communicate the plan to sectors and agency liaisons.
- Monitor, support, and revise the evacuation process, as necessary.
- Evacuate persons from the area of greatest danger first.
- Assign specific areas to evacuate in order to avoid duplication or missed areas.
- Provide the transportation necessary for evacuees.
- Provide continuing command of the evacuation, de-commitment, and return of evacuees.
Once long-term shelter locations are identified, the COM Parks and Recreatioon Department will open and manage shelters. Early notification is required. They will need up to three hours to get adequate personnel, equipment and supplies to the shelter sites.
204.01A
6/12
In a Haz Mat evacuation. The Police Department will be an integral part of the evacuation process, as a large portion of the evacuation may be accomplished by police officers. Police responsibilities include:(read only)
-Provide a ranking officer to the incident command post.
-Provide a ranking officer to the Evacuation Sector/Evacuations Branch.
-Provide a communication system for police resources.
-Provide police resources needed for evacuation.
-Provide traffic control and traffic routing.
-Provide perimeter security.
-Provide evacuation zone security.
204.01A
6/12
In a Haz Mat evacuation. The Dispatch Center’s responsibilities include:(read only)
-Dispatch appropriate resource as requested.
-Notify appropriate Fire and City officials.
-Notify the appropriate support agencies as requested or listed in standard operating procedures.
-Notify the Administrative Duty Officer and provide a status report.
-Initiate recall of additional Dispatch personnel to meet the demands of the incident.
-Notify the City telephone switchboard operator and provide the operator a status report. Update the operator as needed.
-Notify the hospitals in the area of evacuation (both those exposed and not exposed) and provide a status report and updates as needed (intermediate and large scale evacuations).
204.01A
7/12
In a Haz Mat evacuation. Evacuation sector which will be on its own channel will have the responsibilities of:(read only)
-Obtain resources needed to evacuate.
-Obtain ranking police officer for liaison.
-Establish sectors as needed.
-Provide sectors objectives and specific areas to evacuate (use Fire Department map pages or hydrant zones in Fire Department map book for grids).
-Provide sectors with shelter location and instructions.
-Provide sectors with private vehicle routing instructions (out of the area).
-Obtain/provide buses or other transportation to those requiring transportation out of the area. (For large-scale evacuation, start with two buses and request more as needed.):
-Evacuate those at greatest risk first.
-Evacuate the greatest concentrated areas next (i.e., apartment complex).
-Consider individual sectors for large population occupancies (i.e., multi- story buildings, large apartment complexes, schools, etc.).
-As individual geographic or grid sectors complete their evacuations, terminate the sector, identity and reassign resources to other developing sectors (for large-scale evacuation).
-Closely document and maintain records of the evacuation process to avoid duplication or missed areas.
-Document those addressees refusing to leave.
204.01A
8/12
In a Haz Mat evacuation. A Transportation Branch/Sector should be a priority for any intermediate or large- scale evacuation. Not all citizens will have a vehicle available to them.(read only)
-Obtain buses (start with minimum of two) and other vehicles that can be used for transportation.
-Stage all transportation resources.
-Put one firefighter (or police officer) with a Fire or Police Department radio on each vehicle.
-Coordinate with Evacuation Branch/Sector the pick-up points or addresses of those citizens needing transportation.
204.01A
10/12
Any time more than ___ persons are evacuated, the Duty Chief or Deputy Chief advises the City Manager, or his/her designee, of the situation.
10.
204.01a
Decontamination is intended to:
Prevent the spread of contaminants beyond the already contaminated area, including the fire station, the hospital, and other environments.
The purpose of the Decontamination Procedure is to assure that any potentially harmful or dangerous residues, on persons, equipment or apparatus, are confined within the Hot Zone.
204.01B
2/5
The Decontamination Sector Officer is responsible for determining the most appropriate decontamination procedures and managing the decontamination process. This should be done in conjunction with advice from?
Poison Control center.
Command is responsible for assuring that a Decontamination Sector is implemented at incidents which involve a potential contamination problem. This sector should be assigned to personnel from the Hazardous Materials Team. Decontamination must be integrated into the management plan of the hazardous materials incident.
204.01B
2/5
The Decontamination Sector Officer must assume that all members and equipment preparing to leave the Hot Zone are contaminated. Three courses of action are available:
- Confirm“ not contaminated”– using instruments or investigation based on the nature of the situation.
- Decontaminate (as appropriate to the situation) and release.
- Retain and package items for removal from the site for disposal or decontamination at a different location.
In all cases the primary objective must be to avoid contaminating anyone or anything beyond the Hot Zone. When in doubt about contamination, decon all affected personnel, equipment, and apparatus.
The Decontamination Area should be established within the Hot Zone perimeter adjacent to the Entrance/Exit (Lobby Control). Personnel, equipment, and apparatus shall not be permitted to leave the Hot Zone without approval from the Decontamination Sector Officer.
204.01B
3/5
Due to the wide variety of situations Fire Department members may encounter in dealing with hazardous materials, these considerations will not attempt to provide specific guidelines on any one individual chemical or situation and are not listed in any priority.(read only)
-It is important that the first arriving Fire Department company make every effort to determine what hazardous material(s) is involved, and the amount, prior to taking action to stabilize the incident.
-Call for additional resources EARLY. The actions taken by Command in the first few minutes of an incident affects the outcome more than any other single factor. Hazardous Materials teams will be needed as well as a number of other fire companies to support site operations.
-Make a slow, cautious approach to the incident. Entering the scene to make positive identification may be a considerable risk. The danger of explosion, leaking gas and poisoning may be great.
-Furthermore, any action taken prior to determining the product involved may place firefighters at considerable safety risk and may further compound the problem.
-Transportation emergencies are often more difficult than those at fixed locations. The materials involved may be unknown, warning signs may not be visible or obscured by smoke and debris, and the driver may be killed or missing. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) hazardous materials marking systems are inadequate because some hazardous materials in quantities up to 1,000 lbs., do not require a placard. There may be combination of products involved with only a “dangerous” label showing. Sometimes only the most evident hazard is identified, while additional hazards are not labeled.
204.01C
2/4
There are three types of mercury;
Elemental, Inorganic and Organic. Elemental and Inorganic are the two most common.
204.02
2/7
The most common sources of _________ mercury are blood pressure cuffs, oral and rectal thermometers, and in laboratories. Symptoms of initial toxic exposure to _________ mercury include fever, chills, dyspnea, and headache within several hours. Emergency care is supportive with transport to a hospital.
Elemental.(Hg)
204.02
2/7
The most common sources of ________ mercury are scientific instruments, electrical equipment, felt making, and the manufacturing of caustic soda and disc batteries (watches). Acute effects include, but are not limited to, burning mouth, sore throat, nausea and vomiting with severe gingivitis. Emergency care is supportive with transport to a hospital.
Inorganic.(HG+, HG++)
204.02
2/7
The common sources of ______ mercury are in mining, smelting, or refining operations. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, hearing defects and loss of concentration.
Organic. (CH3Hg)
204.02
2/7
The first arriving officer to Haz Mat Mercury incident must do what after a onscene report?
A. Contact the on-site responsible party
B. Determine the amount of mercury released
C. Determine the mercury source and, if possible, secure the source to prevent further mercury loss.
D. Determine the size of affected area.
AT NO TIME SHALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLEAN UP A MERCURY RELEASE!!!
- Command is also responsible to:
A. EVACUATE the affected area
B. ISOLATE the affected area utilizing hazard line tape
C. DENY ENTRY.
D. Request, through Dispatch, that the Fire Prevention Haz Mat specialist and the on-duty Special Operations personnel respond.
204.02
3/7
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has determined that a mercury release that occurs in a residence, including the interior of apartments, is:
Household hazardous waste.
As a result, the release is exempt from cleanup requirements. This does not, however, eliminate the need for response, evaluation of the hazard, and educating the homeowner/occupant.
Note: A mercury release in common public areas such as pool-side or exit corridors at apartment complexes, condominiums, etc. would require compliance with the commercial facility section of this management procedure.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS PERSONNEL
When responding to the report of a mercury release in a residence, including the interior of apartments, the Fire Department shall:
1. Have the Dispatch Center page Fire Prevention and Special Operations personnel requesting response.
2. Recommend to the homeowner/occupant that no one be allowed to enter the affected area until the hazard has been evaluated.
204.02
6/7
Tactical considerations for a Radiological event with fire:
-Initiate normal tactical firefighting operations.
-Always approach from upwind.
-Do not ventilate.
-Minimize the use of water.
-Control water runoff-impound for disposal.
-Minimize exposure of members.
-Use full protective clothing with SCBA.
204.03
3/6
Tactical considerations for a radiological event with rescue/EMS:
-Remove patients quickly.
-Treat patients for medical problems/injuries.
-Alert hospitals to prepare for contaminated patients.
-Use full protective clothing and SCBA.
-Decontaminate vehicles used to Transport.
204.03
4/6
Do not delay field treatment of injuries. Radiological contamination, itself, is not a medical emergency. Treatment of contaminated patients should proceed with the following precautions:(read only)
-All contaminated patients should be placed in one Treatment Area– separate from non contaminated patients–within the Hot Zone perimeter, but beyond the 2 MR/hr exposure distance.
-All treatment members should use SCBA or dust-filtering type masks, long sleeve shirts or coats, gloves and nomex hoods.
-A mask or other airway filtering means should be used on the patient to limit inhalation/ingestion of airborne contamination.
-Bandage all open wounds as quickly as possible to prevent wound contamination.
-Carefully peeling or cutting of outer clothing from the patient’s body will remove most of the contamination.
-Removed clothing, watches, wallets, etc. must be placed in plastic bags or other appropriate containers, sealed and properly identified.
-A clean plastic bag or other clothing should be placed over the patient’s scalp hair to minimize the spread of contamination. Do not cover face.
-Much of the contamination on a patient’s skin can be removed by wiping with a moist cloth or tape (put in plastic bag afterwards).
-Hot spots of contamination on the patient’s body that cannot be removed by wiping, etc., should be marked with ink outline or tape.
-Before transporting, all contaminated patients must be wrapped in blankets or sheets to completely cover them in order to limit the spread of contamination. Only the face should be left exposed.
-Hospitals and rescues must be alerted early and before patient transportation is initiated so they can prepare to receive radioactive contaminated patients.
-All contaminated patients should be sent to a single hospital or to as few as possible. Once contaminated, these hospitals could be out-of-service for some time.
-Where there are large numbers of contaminated patients, place as many patients as possible in each rescue to minimize contamination spread to other rescues.
-Reuse of contaminated rescues for contaminated patient transportation should be considered. If all available rescues become contaminated, these vehicles can be out-of-service for long periods of time until they can be decontaminated.
-Before treatment members can be released from the scene, they must be checked for contamination and decontaminated. All equipment used in patient treatment must also be checked and decontaminated. This evaluation will be conducted in the Decontamination Area.
204.03
5/6
If a nuclear weapon involves fire, evacuate the area of ____ feet, in all directions, immediately. All downwind areas must be checked for contamination.
2,000.
204.03
4/6
The principle agent for flammable liquid fire fighting is?
AFFF/Class B foam.
Flammable liquids present particular problems for fire protection, health, safety, and environmental protection. The frequency of encounters with flammable liquids makes them a particular concern for the fire department.
The main operational problems with flammable liquids are fire extinguishment, ignition prevention, and disposal of spills. All three of these may be involved in the same incident.
Fires involving a large area of burning flammable liquids may exceed the ability of one hand line to extinguish. It may be more important for Command to wait until two or three engines are in position with charged lines before initiating a coordinated attack. Water streams should be used to cool and protect exposures during the interim.
204.04
2/4
