HAZMAT Overview Flashcards
Define a Hazardous Material
As defined by DOT. Is a material that poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of operating emergency personnel, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging, use and disposal, or transportation.
NFPA 472
Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
NFPA 1001
Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications
Hazardous Material
“Working Definition” any substance that stores potentially harmful energy when not contained in its intended container
Regulations are issued and enforced by
OSHA & EPA
Standards are issued by nongovernmental entities like
NFPA
NFPA 471
Recommended practice for responding to hazardous materials incidents
NFPA 472
Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
NFPA 473
Standard for competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents
NFPA levels of training are
awareness, operations, technician and specialist
HAZWOPER
Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response. The federal document containing the hazardous materials response competencies. They can be found in 29 CFR 1910.120 – Fire departments are primarily concerned with subsection (q) Emergency Response
Awareness Level
Provides training that gives personal the ability to recognize a potential HM emergency, to isolate the area and to call for assistance; awareness level responders take protective actions
Operations Level
the operations level responder shall be that person who responds to HM/WMD incidents for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, the environment, or property from the effects of the release. Fire fighters in modern society are annually trained to the operations level because they should be able to recognize potential hazardous materials incidents, isolate and deny entry to other responders and the public, evacuate persons in danger, and take defensive action as such as shutting off valves and protecting drains without having contact with the product
Technician Level
at this level, fire fighters are trained to enter heavily contaminated areas using the highest levels of personal protection. HM techs take offensive actions
Specialist Level
this level receives more specialized training than a HM Tech. practically technically speaking the two levels are not very different. The majority of the specialized training relates to a specific product such as chlorine or to a specific mode of transportations such as rail emergencies
HM Officer
this level of training is intended for those assuming command of a HM incident beyond the Ops level
SARA
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, was one of the first laws to affect how fire departments respond in a HM emergency
Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act
requires business that handles chemicals to report storage type, quantity, and storage methods to the fire department and the local emergency planning committee
LEPCs
Local emergency planning committees, gather and disseminate to the public information about HM
MSDSs
material safety datasheets are a detailed profile of a single chemical or mixture of chemicals provided by the manufacturer and/or supplier of a chemical
SERC
State Emergency Response Commission, the SERC is a liaison between local and state levels of authority. Collection and dissemination of information relating to HM. SERC & LEPC often work closely to help a community prepare to deal w/ HM incidents
A critical distinction must be made between a HM event and other emergencies. Fire fighters cannot approach a HM incident w/ the same mindset used for a structure fire. Ask yourself these questions
o Is the material toxic or corrosive?
o What is the chemical name of the material involved?
o How will it respond when exposed to air, water, or other materials?
• (Remember that HM response is much like fire suppression)
Target Hazards
Any occupancy type or facility that presents a high potential for loss of life or serious impact to the community resulting from fire, explosion, or chemical release
1 priority at a HM incident
Personal Safety (life safety) is
A HM is a material that
poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of operating emergency personnel, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging use and disposal, or transportation potential release of energy that will put life at risk is the main concern with HMs
A Hazardous waste is
a substance that remains after a process or manufacturing plant has used some of the material so that it is no longer pure
The actions taken at HM incidents are largely dictated by
the chemicals involved
The goal of the competencies at the awareness level shall be
to recognize a potential HM emergency, isolate the area, and call for assistance. Awareness level trained personal take protective actions
Fire fighters at the operations level are able to recognize
a potential HM incident, isolate and deny entry to other responders and the public, and take defensive actions such as shutting off valves and protecting drains w/o having contact with the product. Operations level responders act in a defensive fashion
Defensive actions may include
protecting drains from the flow of the product, closing remote valves, evacuating civilians from affected areas or sheltering them in place, or isolating the area and calling a specialized HM team or HM clean-up contractor
HM techs are trained to
enter heavily contaminated areas using the highest levels of chemical protection. HM techs take offensive actions
