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Questions and Answers
What is the main purpose of the policy outlined in the document?
What is the main purpose of the policy outlined in the document?
- To guide fire department personnel in mitigating hazardous materials incidents (correct)
- To promote the use of hazardous materials in firefighting
- To inform the public about hazardous materials
- To establish a legal framework for hazardous materials companies
What type of incidents requires notification to Harris County Haz Mat?
What type of incidents requires notification to Harris County Haz Mat?
- Only chemical incidents
- Only incidents involving explosives
- Any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incident (correct)
- Only hazardous materials spills
Which of the following incidents is NOT listed as an example of hazardous materials incidents?
Which of the following incidents is NOT listed as an example of hazardous materials incidents?
- Natural disasters (correct)
- Chemical warehouse fires
- Pesticide fires
- Compressed gas releases
What is the first tactical priority in a defensive strategy during a hazmat incident?
What is the first tactical priority in a defensive strategy during a hazmat incident?
Who is responsible for reviewing the policy?
Who is responsible for reviewing the policy?
What does the acronym IDLH stand for as mentioned in the document?
What does the acronym IDLH stand for as mentioned in the document?
What should the first arriving apparatus officer do when approaching a hazardous material incident?
What should the first arriving apparatus officer do when approaching a hazardous material incident?
Which of the following actions is NOT part of the responsibilities of the first arriving apparatus officer?
Which of the following actions is NOT part of the responsibilities of the first arriving apparatus officer?
What is the effective date of the policy stated in the document?
What is the effective date of the policy stated in the document?
Which of the following best describes the scope of the guideline?
Which of the following best describes the scope of the guideline?
What must the Incident Commander establish in response to an emergency?
What must the Incident Commander establish in response to an emergency?
What is a crucial action regarding unauthorized personnel at a hazardous materials incident site?
What is a crucial action regarding unauthorized personnel at a hazardous materials incident site?
Which of the following is a recommended action for fire department personnel when responding to hazardous materials incidents?
Which of the following is a recommended action for fire department personnel when responding to hazardous materials incidents?
What should all writings related to hazardous materials incidents do according to the policy?
What should all writings related to hazardous materials incidents do according to the policy?
Which of the following is NOT a step that the first arriving officer should take?
Which of the following is NOT a step that the first arriving officer should take?
Which document is recommended for the first arriving officer to consult during a hazmat response?
Which document is recommended for the first arriving officer to consult during a hazmat response?
What is the primary purpose of establishing a medical group in the Cold Zone?
What is the primary purpose of establishing a medical group in the Cold Zone?
Which of the following tasks is NOT assigned to the Hazard Group?
Which of the following tasks is NOT assigned to the Hazard Group?
What is necessary for personnel operating in the Hot Zone according to the guidelines?
What is necessary for personnel operating in the Hot Zone according to the guidelines?
Which statement correctly describes the responsibility of the Rescue Group?
Which statement correctly describes the responsibility of the Rescue Group?
What action must the Hazard Group take before committing personnel to operations in the Hot Zone?
What action must the Hazard Group take before committing personnel to operations in the Hot Zone?
What should the Evacuation Group establish in regard to the incident?
What should the Evacuation Group establish in regard to the incident?
To which group does the task of assessing equipment needs for rescue operations belong?
To which group does the task of assessing equipment needs for rescue operations belong?
What is one of the responsibilities of the Hazard Group regarding personnel operations?
What is one of the responsibilities of the Hazard Group regarding personnel operations?
What should be established to ensure the safety of evacuees during an incident?
What should be established to ensure the safety of evacuees during an incident?
Which action is essential for securing the area during an evacuation?
Which action is essential for securing the area during an evacuation?
During an evacuation, which group should be evacuated first?
During an evacuation, which group should be evacuated first?
What should be done with atmospheric monitoring during an incident?
What should be done with atmospheric monitoring during an incident?
Which aspect is part of bringing an incident to termination?
Which aspect is part of bringing an incident to termination?
What documentation should be obtained during a hazardous materials incident?
What documentation should be obtained during a hazardous materials incident?
What must occur before all equipment and personnel can return to service?
What must occur before all equipment and personnel can return to service?
What is the purpose of conducting a post-incident analysis?
What is the purpose of conducting a post-incident analysis?
Which of the following scenarios requires additional expertise due to the presence of hazardous materials?
Which of the following scenarios requires additional expertise due to the presence of hazardous materials?
Which of the following is not part of the evacuation process?
Which of the following is not part of the evacuation process?
What governs the procedure for handling hazardous materials spills?
What governs the procedure for handling hazardous materials spills?
Who is the appropriate contact for questions about the Standard Operating Guideline?
Who is the appropriate contact for questions about the Standard Operating Guideline?
What is required of personnel before they return to service in relation to their accountability?
What is required of personnel before they return to service in relation to their accountability?
Which standard is applicable for hazardous materials management according to the content?
Which standard is applicable for hazardous materials management according to the content?
Which of the following is NOT classified as an incident requiring specific response protocols?
Which of the following is NOT classified as an incident requiring specific response protocols?
Which document is included in the references for hazardous materials operations?
Which document is included in the references for hazardous materials operations?
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Study Notes
Purpose
- This policy guides firefighters on how to safely handle hazardous materials incidents.
Policy Statement
- All future policies regarding hazardous materials will follow this template.
Scope
- Applies to all fire department personnel who will respond to hazardous materials incidents.
Examples of Incidents
- Biological agent incidents
- Chemical spills
- Chemical warehouse fires
- Compressed gas releases
- Flammable liquid fires
- Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) atmospheres
- Inert atmospheres
- Liquefied gas releases
- Pesticide fires
- Radioactive material incidents
- Railcar chemical reactions, fires, and derailments
- Tank truck accidents, chemical reactions, and fires
- Any incident posing a chemical or biological health risk
When to Notify Harris County Haz Mat
- Any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incident
- Narcotics or drug labs
- Anytime a hazardous material is present and additional expertise is needed
- Any hazardous materials spills and release
Tactical Priorities
- Define the Hazard Zone
- Isolate the Hazard Zone
- Search and evacuate exposures
- Protect exposures
First Arriving Apparatus Officer Responsibilities
- Assume command
- Approach the incident from an uphill/upwind direction, if possible
- Stop and assess the incident from a distance
- Identify the product, container type, quantity, and extent of release or potential release
- Avoid driving into or near vapor clouds or spills
- Avoid walking into or touching spilled material
- Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke, or vapors
- Isolate the site and prevent unauthorized entry
- Provide incoming resources with relevant information
- Consult the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
- Assess on-scene capabilities and request additional resources as needed
- Obtain relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDS) if available
- Contain product when safe
Incident Commander Responsibilities
- Establish and manage the overall operational plan
- Establish a medical group in a safe location within the Cold Zone for the purpose of triage, treatment, and transportation of victims
- Collect and furnish the name of the chemical(s) to the receiving hospitals
- Establish a Hazard Group
- Establish a Rescue Group
- Establish an Evacuation Group
- Assign and utilize other groups/branches as deemed necessary (PIO, Staging, Rehab, etc.)
- Assure atmospheric monitoring is established throughout the incident and that all readings are logged appropriately
- Ensure that appropriate decontamination procedures are implemented and utilized throughout the duration of the incident
- Bring the incident to termination after the scene has been stabilized
- Arrange for a debriefing of responding personnel prior to departing the scene when deemed appropriate
- Document the incident (exposure forms, current records management software etc.)
- Obtain MSDS or other documentation that identifies substances involved
- Send information to Human Resources to file
- Conduct a post-incident analysis and critique when deemed necessary to improve future operations and share important information among responders
HAZMAT Accountability Guidelines
- Any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incident
- Narcotics or drug labs
- Anytime a hazardous material is present and additional expertise is needed
- Any hazardous materials spills and release
Return to Service
- All equipment and personnel shall be decontaminated before returning to service if needed
- Apparatus and personnel may return to service after personnel and equipment are accounted for
References and Related Policies
- NFPA 472
- Applicable State or Federal Statutes
- OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120
- TCFP
- CPSE PI
- ISO
- TFCA
- EPA Standard 40 CFR 311
- ISFSI Awareness Student Manual
- ISFSI Operations Student Manual
Contact Office
- Company Officer
- District Chief
- Deputy Chief of Operations
- Assistant Chief
- Fire Chief
List of Changes
- Revision Number, Description of Changes, Approved by, Date
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