SOGs-24-Hazardous Materials Flashcards
What is the definition of hazardous materials?
Chemicals or physical agents regulated under the provisions of the WHMIS and the transportation of dangerous goods and regulations legislation
What should be done upon recognition of an unexpected hazardous materials incident?
Leave the immediate area
Initiate a hazmat response Conduct a hazard/risk analysis
What kind of approach and placement of apparatus should be followed at at hazmat incident?
Approach from an upwind, uphill direction
Initially place apparatus beyond evacuation distance as stated in the ERG
Placement of the apparatus should be off the property of the incident and also restrict access of vehicles onto the property
What is the exception for placement of apparatus off property at a hazardous materials incident?
When the building is exceptionally large or setback from the road
What will FC direct a company representative to do at a hazmat incident?
Bring any necessary information and meet the first arriving apparatus
Where will all responding outside agencies be directed to and who will direct them at a hazardous materials incident?
Directed to the warm zone
Direction from the IC or an appointed sector officer
What should the first arriving apparatus attempt to do at a hazardous materials incident?
Determine hot warm cold zones Attempt to remove civilians Control access of hot,warm zones Gather information Use experience of employees Isolate and/or evacuate the scene IC to undertake hazard risk analysis for rescue Establish initial D con area Request assistance beyond usual scope Relay pertinent information ASAP Assist hazmat team after arrival
What information should be gathered by the first responding apparatus at a hazardous materials incident?
Hazmat involved
The casualties are injured persons
Actions already taken
If a rescue into the hot zone at a hazardous materials incident is required what questions must the IC consider in a hazard/risk analysis?
How great is the risk?
How long will the rescue take?
What are the patients chances of survival if a rescue is attempted?
Who could provide additional assistance at a hazardous materials incident?
Company representatives
Region of Peel spill control
Ministry of the Environment
CANUTEC
What positions does an IC need to designate at a hazardous materials incident?
Hazmat sector officer
Entry officer
Decon officer
Safety officer
If possible at a hazardous materials incident who should the IC designate for hazmat sector officer entry officer Decon officer and safety officer?
Hazmat technician
Senior team member
What can the IC have police assist with a hazardous materials incident?
Evacuation plans and perimeters
Setting up isolation procedures
Informing evacuees of the probable stay away time
What factors will the IC use to determine the order for evacuations according to the ERG at a hazardous materials incident?
Wind
Lay of the land
Flow of streams
Etc.
Who’s responsibility is it to provide cleanup at a hazardous materials incident?
The person/company who had control of the hazmat prior to its release
If BFES does not complete the cleanup at a hazardous materials incident what does the IC need to ensure happens?
The cleanup responsibility is transferred to a competent agency
What are some agencies that would be considered a competent agency for cleaning up at a hazardous materials incident?
Region of Peel spill control Ministry of the Environment
a cleanup company/company rep
What is done with all waste products like spilled hazardous materials Decon water etc. at the completion of a hazardous materials incident?
Disposed of according to peel environment control
Ministry of the environment direction
What are the responsibilities of the HSO at a hazardous materials incident?
Remove nonessential personnel from danger
Appoint research and information sector
Advise if protection in place is reasonable
Monitor size/location of the hot warm cold zones
Determine actions to stabilize the hazmat
Designate an entry team and backup team
Advise IC of conditions and ops in hot zone
Ensure proper operation of decon area
If a hazardous material cannot be identified what course of action should be taken?
Treat it as a worst-case scenario
When determining hazards and risks at a hazardous materials incident what factors should be considered?
The hazardous nature of the materials including toxicity flammability and reactivity
The quantity of the hazmat
The containment system and type of stress applied to the container
The level of available resources
What will the HSO ensure prior to hazmat personnel entering the hot zone?
The entry officer is prepared
The deacon officer is prepared
The safety officer has been briefed and consulted
A medical sector has been established or paramedics are on scene
What are the responsibilities of a safety officer at a hazardous materials incident?
Reports to the HSO
Ensures zones are established
Ensure zones are marked and guarded (may use PRP)
Briefed by HSO of assignments of all sectors
Ensures ID and analysis of products has been completed and communicated to the HSO
Ensure a hazard risk/analysis has been done
Maintain communication with Entry Decon and HSO
Overall scene safety
What are the roles and responsibilities of the research and information sector at a hazardous materials incident?
Conducting any research required
Coordinating with third parties
What is to be done with all waste materials once cleanup is done at a hazardous materials incident?
Leave captured in an over-pack drum, sealed and left on scene for third-party vendor cleanup crews
What are personnel not supposed to do in areas that may be contaminated or before being decontaminated and hazardous material incident?
Eat Drink Smoke Chew gum Void
What determines when personal and/or apparatus are returned to service at a hazardous materials incident?
The HSO and the IC are satisfied a thorough decontamination has taken place
What needs to be done with all the equipment and PPE that comes back from a hazardous materials incident?
Washed and dried in a well ventilated area before going back into service
Personnel washing equipment will wear PPE
If cleanup procedures are not considered effective how must clothing and equipment be treated?
Treated as still contaminated
What is the definition of emergency/gross decontamination?
The rapid removal of potentially harmful substances from responders or civilians. Usually in the case of removing a person from an IDLH environment before transport by paramedics
What is the definition of mass decontamination?
Process of decontaminating large populations that have been potentially exposed to harmful substances
What is the definition of technical decontamination?
A means of thoroughly decontaminated firefighters and members of allied agencies at a hazardous materials incident
What needs to be chosen before personnel remove PPE for an emergency/gross decon and what must remain on until the process is complete?
The method of Decon
SCBA must remain on
What PPE must be worn by personnel handling removing and packaging of soiled equipment and/or clothing?
Respiratory protection
Double gloves
In the case of a structure fire with minimal soil in a bunker gear what may be set up in the warm zone outside the involved structure to expedite the offgassing of the products of combustion? What also needs to be considered?
Positive pressure fans. Consideration should be given to the direction of the wind and to where the contaminants may blow
In the event of substantial soiling of bunker gear during an emergency incident how is Decon performed?
A 45 mm hand line on low pressure, wide fog
If possible do on a grassy area to avoid runoff into storm sewers
After contaminants have been removed from a firefighters gear what steps will be taken?
Removal of SCBA and PPE in the warm zone
Bag all PPE and send it for special cleaning
Personnel proceed to the cold zone
Upon return to station shower and put on a clean uniform
When could a mass decontamination set up be ordered?
The recognition of any incident involving a large number of people that have been potentially exposed to harmful substances
Who must be involved in the set up of mass decontamination?
PRP
EMS
Members of BFES hazmat team
What needs to be considered as a result of a mass decontamination?
Protect the privacy/dignity of affected public
Use an aerial as a Decon shower
Who should be consulted to conduct a mass decontamination?
Hazmat technician
Senior team member
When may the set up and use of technical decontamination procedures be required?
At a large scale hazardous materials incident
Once it has been determined that hazardous materials are present and involved or likely to become involved in a fire what information should the first arriving personnel gather?
Hazardous materials involved
Chemical names
Quantities
Containment systems
What questions should be asked when performing a hazard risk assessment at a hazardous materials fire?
Is there a potential that the hazardous material may react explosively?
Are there hazardous materials that may spontaneously polymerize?
Is there a potential that containment systems may explode (BLEVE) due to overpressurization?
Is there a potential that personnel may contact hazardous materials that are toxic or corrosive particularly through the skin?
Are there hazardous materials present that react energetically with water air or other contaminants?
If so, are they involved with the fire or likely to become involved with the fire
At a hazardous materials fire what needs to be done before entering the hot zone?
Perform a hazard/risk assessment
What extinguishing agents are preferable when hazardous materials are involved in a fire?
Dry chemical and/or CO2 extinguishers
What needs to be established if the hazmat team has not arrived before entry is made?
A Decon area in a suitable location and where runoff can be controlled
Who determines courses of action if initial extinguishment efforts are unsuccessful at a hazardous materials fire?
IC
Industry representative
Region of Peel spills control
Ministry of the Environment
What action may be decided upon if initial extinguishment efforts are unsuccessful at a hazardous materials fire?
Cease extinguishment efforts Allowing the hazmats to burn freely
Protect exposures where this does not add to contaminated runoff
What are the hazmat team responsibilities at a hazardous materials fire?
Evaluate the hazmat involved and conduct a hazard risk assessment
Evaluate and reestablish zones if required
Evaluate and make recommendations regarding PPE required
Assess personnel and civilians to determine whether Decon and or medical treatment is required
Set up and perform decon as required
Evaluate, make recommendations and assist with control of runoff
Provide additional manpower for firefighting
Regularly evaluate persons exposed to contaminants for symptoms particular to the chemicals involved
Conduct air monitoring as required
After a hazardous materials fire is extinguished what is the scene still considered to be?
Hazmat incident
