SOG 26-27

Initial Response and Safety

• Consider safety hazards prior to arrival on scene based on information provided by Fire Rescue Communications
• Ask for information about the incident, including weather factors (e.g. wind, approaching storms)
• When parking, apparatus placement is crucial, considering wind, topography, and location of the situation

Size-Up

• The objective of the size-up is to identify the nature and severity of the immediate problem and gather sufficient information to formulate a valid initial action plan
• Hazmat incidents require a more cautious and deliberate size-up than most fire situations
• Each apparatus has hazmat resource material to help identify and guide first responders

Pre-Commitment

• Avoid premature commitment of companies and personnel to potentially hazardous locations
• Proceed with caution in evaluating risks before formulating a plan, and keep uncommitted companies at a safe distance

Initial Action Plan

• Make a careful size-up before deciding on a commitment
• Consider the risk to personnel and take advantage of available protective equipment
• Remember, a recovery is not a rescue!

Decision-Making

• Don't assume anything! A wrong decision, while working with hazardous materials, can be worse than no decision
• Establish an initial command and report on conditions
• Call for Special Hazards Operations Team (SPECIAL OPERATIONS) and/or Battalion Chief

Operations

• Establish an operational perimeter (hot, warm, and cold zones)
• Deny entry to bystanders/workers
• Direct personnel arriving to appropriate areas
• Use a specified location as Level 1 staging for multiple units

Material Identification

• Ensure the emergent evacuation of civilians in the immediate area is complete
• Try to determine what hazardous material(s) is involved and how much, prior to taking action to stabilize the incident
• Check placarding and/or labeling, resource materials, and contact persons directly related to the accident/incident

Command Post and Safety Officer

• Establish a command post
• In all hazardous material response operations, the establishment of a Safety Officer shall be accomplished
• Obtain technical information from resources such as the DOT Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Guidebook and ChemTrec

Priorities and Objectives

• Identify priorities based on the type and magnitude of life hazard involved, the type and quantity of hazardous material(s) involved, and potential harm without intervention
• Use the "D.E.C.I.D.E" mnemonic to determine the steps in dealing with a hazmat incident
• Establish objectives, keeping in mind the need to save lives, prevent unnecessary exposure, and protect the environment

General Incident Action Plan Procedures

• Remember that any procedures carried out at a hazmat incident must be based on and compatible with the physical properties of the involved material(s)
• Take all feasible steps necessary to protect or save human life, and safeguard property insofar as practical

Decontamination and Rescue

• Isolate for further examination those persons who may have had contact with the material
• Remove injured persons from the area with as little direct personal contact as possible
• Hold them in the warm zone for initial treatment and possible decontamination
• Remember to decontaminate rescuers and equipment to prevent cross-contamination

Coordination and Control

• On incidents occurring in the county, St. Johns County Fire Rescue will have control and coordination of the incident
• On incidents on private property, St. Johns County Fire Rescue will have control and coordination of the incident, making use of on-site employees as information resources
• A command post should be established for all agencies working at a hazardous materials incident

Clean-up and Disposal

• The Incident Commander's responsibility is to identify and contain the spilled material
• Professional disposal companies and/or teams should be utilized for cleanup and disposal
• Use of absorbent materials will normally be handled by the wrecker service, DOT, or professional disposal company

Safety and Health

• All operations up to and including the evacuation process must be accomplished with the idea of overall safety as the key component

• Personnel will wear the appropriate protective clothing

• Be alert for the symptoms of chemical poisoning and reactions that could threaten the lives of firefighters and other involved personnel### Meter Care and Handling

• Meters should not be stored in open air environments to prevent damage from cleaning products, silicone-based products, dirt, dust, etc.

• Meters must be stored in protective pelican cases.

Logging Meter Care in RMS

• Log in to RMS and select the "Vehicles and Equipment" tab.
• Choose "Equipment" on the left-hand side and select "Meters" in the category search box.
• Highlight the applicable meter and select the "Activities" tab.
• Click the "New Action" button and choose one of the three options: "Bump", "Calibrate", or "Out of Service".
• Fill in all applicable information, including employee ID, dates, etc.
• Save the entry and return to the list for the next meter if applicable.

Charging and Maintenance

• Clean equipment directly after use by wiping down with a damp cloth.
• Do not use cleaning solvents or similar products on the meter.
• If contaminated with hazardous materials, contact a Special Operations officer for proper decontamination procedures.
• Except for weekly bump tests and monthly calibrations, all other maintenance issues will be conducted by a Special Operations officer.

Calibration Gas

• Calibration gas should be ordered by emailing the Special Operations officer on duty when the bottle is 4-6 weeks from expiration or under 100psi.

Sending Meters for Repair

• Notify the shift officers normally assigned to Station 16, Station 4, and Battalion 3 via email.
• Send all equipment with the meter, including the charger, cal gas, regulator, and calibration cap.

Meter Procedures

• Perform a bump test every Monday and log the results in RMS.
• A calibration will be performed on the first Monday of every month and logged in RMS.
• Always approach the suspected source with caution and at a slow pace.
• Air monitoring should occur at various levels, as vapors may stay low or rise.
• If there is a question about meter readings, contact the Special Operations officer on duty or request hazmat response.

Fresh Air Setup (FAS)

• FAS is for automatic ZERO calibration of the instrument.
• Refer to the specific meter's operations manual for meter-specific directions.
• Warning: Do not activate FAS unless you are certain you are in fresh, uncontaminated air; otherwise, inaccurate readings can occur.

Bump Test and Calibration

• Remove the regulator assembly after testing is complete, and do not store bump gas bottles with regulators attached.
• Allow the meter to run in fresh air for 30-60 minutes after bump testing or calibration to assure the system is clear of bump or calibration gas.

Faulty Meters

• If a meter fails its bump test or calibration, contact the Special Operations officer on duty.
• Broken meters are to be sent to Station 16 for repair.
• If a meter fails, it will be removed from service and deemed OOS even if only one of the sensors is malfunctioning.