HAZ 003: Operational Procedure Flashcards
What pre-planning measures can be undertaken to reduce the risk from HAZMAT incidents?
Knowing the area of your grounds, and carrying out 7(2)(d) visits. Any knowledge should be recorded on the operational risk database
What are the four levels of LFB attendance to HAZMAT incidents?
Level 1
A single pump attendance to deal with an incident of limited risk to the crew, such as small fuel spills, gas leak, carbon monoxide detector, or mercury thermometer spill
Level 2
Full HAZMAT attendance consists of two pumping appliance and a Fire Rescue Unit (FRU) for firefighter decontamination. A hazardous materials and environmental protection officer (HMEPO) will also be mobilised to advice the IC
Level 3
An additional two pumps, FRU, station manager, and scientific support unit are ordered where full wet firefighter decontamination or the dry safe undress procedure is required
Level 4
For incidents attracting special mobilising criteria, such as mass decontamination or CBRN
What is an HMEPO? What does it stand for?
Hazardous materials and environmental protection officer
What are the primary roles of the HMEPO?
Five answers
Provide advice to the IC
Assist the IC in determining the emergency action code (EAC), decontamination codes, and appropriate PPE
Manage the rapid response unit (RRT) when deployed
Liaise with the SA and any onsite or other technical experts
Evaluate all available intelligence and special advice, to filter out conflicting or ambiguous advice to the IC
What four things should be done on arrival to a HAZMAT incident, so that the IC can assess the situation from a safe position?
Four answers
The type of materials, hazards and risks involved
A minimum cordon radius of 25m from the hazardous material. This will become the inner cordon
Upwind. The wind direction should be blowing away from the crews
If the HAZMAT is in a form that can flow, appliances and crews should be positioned uphill
On arrival, tactical mode delta is adopted while information is gathered. Where can this information be gathered from?
Seven answers
Direct observation of the incident
Safety triggers for emergency personnel, plus signs of symptoms of exposed people
The ORD via the MDT
Witness accounts and observations
Package labels, placards and sings on vehicles and buildings
Interrogation of CHEMDATA, the LFB hazardous materials database via the MDT
On site specialist advice
What three zones are established at a HAZMAT incident?
Hot Zone (within inner cordon) This is the area where gross contamination (direct contact) can occur and is the area of greatest risk. There is no minimum size for a hot zone
Warm Zone (within inner cordon) The area surrounding the hot zone, where a risk of cross contamination may occur. The outer perimeter of the warm Zone landmarks the inner cordon, and must be a minimum of 25m from the outside edge of the hot zone
Cold Zone (within the outer cordon) Provides a safe working area for emergency services to work. Command and control points, and reserves of personnel and equipment, can be held in this zone
Who manages the inner and outer cordons?
The inner cordon access and egress is managed by LFB
The outer cordon is managed by the police and is intended to exclude access to members of the public
In which zone is the decontamination area be set up?
In the Cold Zone, in safe air at least 25m from the Hot Zone. Once established, the decontamination area will be considered part of the Warm Zone
Who is responsible for the recovery of HAZMAT waste?
Not the LFB
The responsibility for any waste is clearly transferred to a responsible person before leaving. LFB vehicles must not be used to transport hazardous waste
