16 Questions
What is the first priority of the first arriving Officer at a hazardous materials incident?
To rescue civilians that can be rescued quickly
What should the first arriving Officer do if there are no rescues to be made?
Secure the area and maintain a safe distance
What resource can the first arriving Officer use to identify a hazardous material?
All available resources, including on-site personnel, placards, labels, containers, shipping papers, and MSDS
What should the first arriving Officer do after conducting a gross decon?
Have another person remove the mask frame while the rescuer removes the bunker jacket and pants
What is the purpose of setting up a charged hose line?
To facilitate emergency decontamination
What should the Incident Commander establish in a safe area?
A Command Post in the Cold Zone
When should offensive spill control action be taken at a hazardous materials incident?
After the hazardous material has been identified and the hazards are known
What should the first arriving Officer do with civilians in the surrounding area?
Evacuate them according to the evacuation guidelines in the Emergency Response Guide
Who does the Incident Commander confer with to assist in decision making?
The Hazard Unit Officer and other on-scene Haz Mat Technicians
What is the responsibility of the Incident Commander regarding hazardous materials?
To identify the hazardous material and determine the hazards
What is the purpose of establishing a Decontamination Sector?
To decontaminate personnel and equipment before they return to service
What is the responsibility of the Incident Commander regarding records?
To ensure records are kept of all persons requiring decontamination or medical aid
What is the purpose of Emergency Decontamination?
To decontaminate personnel and equipment in an area adjacent to the Decontamination Sector
What is the responsibility of the Incident Commander regarding evacuation?
To define the limits of the evacuation area in consultation with the Haz Mat Team
Who is responsible for ensuring personnel are assigned to the Hazardous Materials Sector?
The Incident Commander
What is the purpose of documenting the incident?
To ensure accurate records are kept in accordance with TFS practices
Study Notes
First Arriving Officer
- Rescues civilians that can be rescued, wearing full Structural Firefighting PPE and limiting exposure to rescues that can be done quickly.
- Search area, and maintain safe distance until chemical can be identified.
- Conducts gross decon and removes bunker suit, with SCBA being last.
- Restricts access and takes defensive corrective actions until chemical is identified.
- Sets up a charged hose line in a safe area for emergency decontamination.
- Identifies hazardous material using available resources, including on-site personnel, placards, labels, containers, shipping papers, and MSDS.
- Notifies the Communications Centre that a hazardous material is involved.
- Determines hazards of the chemical and initial action guidelines through the Emergency Response Guide.
- Evacuates civilians as per the evacuation guidelines in the Emergency Response Guide (if necessary).
- Monitors the area with appropriate detection devices.
- Determines whether the product can be contained or confined safely by on-site personnel.
- Decides whether any action such as rescue can be safely initiated by Firefighters.
Command
- Incident Commander establishes a Command Post in the Cold Zone and a safe area based on the information received from the first arriving Officer.
- Confers with the Hazard Unit Officer and other on-scene Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) Technicians to assist in decision making.
- Defines the limits of the hazard zones (Hot, Warm, and Cold) and the evacuation area after consultation with the Haz Mat Team and other qualified persons.
- Develops and initiates a plan of action once the hazardous material has been identified and the hazards are known.
- Calls for all outside agencies and resources required.
- Confirms decisions (may contact CANUTEC).
- Ensures personnel are assigned to the following: Hazardous Materials Sector Officer, Hot Zone Sector Officer, and Decontamination Officer.
- Maintains a safe operating distance from the emergency site and ensures other arriving vehicles are informed of the current status of the situation.
- Establishes control of the scene and maintains a Command post in a safe area.
- Ensures decontamination, first aid, and medical assistance are provided for all contaminated persons at the scene.
- Ensures records are kept of all persons requiring decontamination or medical aid due to exposure to hazardous materials from the incident.
- Ensures the incident is properly documented in accordance with TFS practices.
This quiz covers the procedures that a first arriving officer should follow in a rescue situation, including rescue operations and decontamination protocols.
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