TB 86 - Structural Fumigations and Other Pesticides

Question 1

What is the chemical responders will MOST LIKELY encounter at a fumigation incident?

Answer 1

Sulfuryl fluoride

(sulfuryl fluoride is currently used in over 95% of all fumigations throughout the United States.)

Question 2

What are the 3 most widely used chemicals in fumigation?

Answer 2

-Sulfuryl fluoride (MOST USED)

-Chloropicrin (warning agent similar to tear gas)

-Aluminum phosphide (used in ships, trains, aircraft, grain silos, ect. where TENT fumigation is IMPRACTICAL)

(Methyl bromide was widely used, however is now ONLY USED to fumigate AGRICULTURE FIELDS in Cali. Mainly strawberries)

Question 3

What are the 4 brand names you can encounter that use sulfuryl fluoride?

Answer 3

-Vikane (structural fumigant)

-MasterFume

-Profume (agricultural fumigant)

-Zythor

Question 4

Because sulfuryl fluoride is odorless, it will always be used with the warning agent __________.

Answer 4

-chloropicrin (tear gas with strong odor)

(small chloropicrin soaked rags are placed in the structure on protective plates similar to pie tins PRIOR to the introduction of the sulfuryl fluoride.)

Question 5

_________ is used where tent/tarp fumigations are impractical. When exposed to air, the water in the air REACTS with the TABLETS to create the fumigant gas, PHOSPHINE.

Answer 5

-Aluminum Phosphide

Consider the following at incidents involving aluminum phosphides:
• Request a full HAZMAT assignment

• DO NOT use WATER on incidents involving spilled tablets

• Residual spent tablet dust DOES NOT present a hazard

• Fires in shipping containers undergoing fumigation MAY be extinguished with water, however, consideration to the increased release of poisonous gas

• AVOID the use of WATER in fires involving BULK quantities of tablets as it could cause a MAJOR VAPOR CLOUD

• There are NO manufacturers or warehouses of tablets in the City of Los Angeles

Question 6

The most common trade names of Aluminum Phosphides are:

Answer 6

-CelPHOS

-FumiTOXIN

-PhosTOXIN

-Talunex

-Quick PHOS.

Question 7

Pesticides can be inhaled, ingested, and/or absorbed through the skin. All pesticides encountered in the _____ form should be treated as if they are SKIN ABSORPTIVE.

When in the ________ state, sulfuryl fluoride and chloropicrin ARE NOT skin absorptive.

Answer 7

-Liquid form

-gaseous

Question 8

Aluminum Phosphide gives off what kind of odor when it is releasing its fumigant gas?

Answer 8

Garlic

Question 9

The company conducting the fumigation will have warning signs with the following information:

Answer 9

-TYPE of fumigant used
-WHEN it was applied
-NAME of fumigation COMPANY
-24 hour emergency CONTACT NUMBER

Question 10

Appropriate PPEs shall be worn for all personnel working within _____ feet of the structure involving fumigation.

This includes when to go “on air” with the SCBA.

Answer 10

30 ft

Question 11

What is the appropriate PPEs that shall be worn at structures involving fumigation?

Answer 11

• Full turnouts

• SCBA with facepiece, donned and on air.

Additionally, all personnel performing rescue or rapid extraction operations shall wear the following:
• Nitrile EMS gloves WITH EITHER firefighting gloves OR the GREEN nitrile over-gloves from the HazMat bag as the OUTER GLOVE.

Question 12

Any incident involving SKIN ABSORPTIVE fumigants, LIQUID pesticides, pesticides in INDUSTRIAL CONCENTRATIONS or any leak or spill involving storage, transport or dissemination vessel requires a full _______ Assignment.

Answer 12

HazMat Assignment

Question 13

Fumigation Incidents

The following resource request shall be made through MFC if not dispatched or on scene:

Answer 13

• LAFD HazMat Task Force and Squad

• PM Rescue

• LF or Truck for use of blowers

• Joint Hazard Assessment Team (JHAT), through MFC.

• LAPD HazMat, if crime is suspected.

Question 14

The following notifications shall be made at ALL fumigation incidents:

Answer 14

• The fumigation company, as soon as possible

• The LA County Department of Food and Agriculture.

Question 15

Suspected burglaries are the responsibility of LAW ENFORCEMENT but a homeless person seeking shelter or a someone potentially impaired or incapacitated by poisonous fumigant becomes a rescue problem for LAFD personnel.

Therefore, a ________ must be performed to determine whether Fire or Police will take the lead for the initial entry.

Answer 15

-threat assessment

(IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES Fire Department personnel SHALL establish a Unified Command with Law Enforcement and co-locate at the CP.)

Question 16

The following are the recommended procedures for fumigation incidents requiring rescue/rapid extraction where Fire Department has the primary responsibility:

Answer 16

• Structures undergoing fumigation shall be ventilated/aerated PRIOR TO, OR IN CONJUNCTION with, entry of Fire personnel performing Rescue functions.

• Consider removal of tarps to assist with ventilation/visibility

• Full turnouts, SCBA with facepiece, donned and ON AIR when working in, on, or WITHIN 30 feet of the structure being fumigated.

• EVACUATE all structures within 30 feet or downwind of the fumigation PRIOR to tent removal.

• Remove all the sandbags holding down the tarps on TWO OPPOSING SIDES of the structure. Ideally, the windward and leeward sides using the prevailing wind to your advantage.

• Remove all the clips from the tarp seams on the SAME TWO SIDES of the structure.

• Ladder the structure, proceed to the roof, and pull the tarps up to the roof on both sides.

• Place fire department blowers at a portal on the windward side of the structure

• Ensure a minimum ONE-INCH LINE is deployed for Emergency Decon.

Question 17

Fumigation SOGs

Evacuate all structures within _____ feet or downwind of the fumigation prior to tent removal.

Answer 17

30 ft

Question 18

Fumigation SOGs

Ensure a minimum _______ is deployed for Emergency Decon.

Answer 18

one-inch line

Question 19

First Aid for Victims

__________ of patients exposed to pesticides is critical to their survival.

Answer 19

Rapid triage, treatment, and transport

Question 20

ANYONE exposed to pesticides must be treated as a PATIENT. A full evaluation must be performed by ALS and one of the following actions taken:

Answer 20

•Decontaminate as required by HazMat Group Supervisor

• Remove clothing or PPEs down to undergarments

•Thoroughly wash and rinse all contaminated skin with soap and water solution.

Question 21

The following elements of the ICS system MUST BE considered at any incident involving a building under fumigation that also INVOLVES a Tactical Law Enforcement component:

Answer 21

• Unified Command – co-locate at single Command Post

• Rescue Group – consisting of Fire/Force Protection

• Hazardous Materials Group – HazMat Task Force and Squad as a minimum

• Medical Group

• Fire Group

• Tactical Entry Team – Law Specialists (Law HazMat Tech/Swat Team withPPE)

Question 22

The ________ of a fumigation or pesticide incident by first responders is the key to the safe, timely and appropriate response, mitigation and conclusion of these incidents.

Answer 22

early recognition

Question 23

Standard Operating Guidelines for Fumigation Incidents

Personnel on scene must quickly determine incident objectives based on ____________.

Answer 23

-Threat assessment

-Situational awareness

-Conditions found.

Question 24

The IC or Unified Command must ensure that an INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP) has been established and agreed upon PRIOR to entry into any tented structure.

At a MINIMUM, the IAP shall have the following elements in place PRIOR to any entry taking place:

Answer 24

-Rescue Plan/RIC

-Communication Plan

-Medical Plan

-Decontamination Plan

-Fire Suppression Plan