Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of this guide according to the text?
What is the purpose of this guide according to the text?
Which of the following is NOT a sensor type that can be detected by the multigas meters used by the department?
Which of the following is NOT a sensor type that can be detected by the multigas meters used by the department?
What is the purpose of the Fresh Air Setup (FAS) described in the text?
What is the purpose of the Fresh Air Setup (FAS) described in the text?
What is the purpose of the Bump Test?
What is the purpose of the Bump Test?
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What is the alarm setting for the combustible sensor on all the multigas meters used by the department?
What is the alarm setting for the combustible sensor on all the multigas meters used by the department?
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Which of the following atmospheres may result in erroneous readings when using the multigas meter?
Which of the following atmospheres may result in erroneous readings when using the multigas meter?
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Why should you not use compressed air to clean the sensor holes on the multigas meter?
Why should you not use compressed air to clean the sensor holes on the multigas meter?
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What is the recommended course of action if the combustible sensor alarm sounds on the multigas meter?
What is the recommended course of action if the combustible sensor alarm sounds on the multigas meter?
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Why should you not use the multigas meter to test for combustible gases in atmospheres containing vapors from liquids with a high flash point?
Why should you not use the multigas meter to test for combustible gases in atmospheres containing vapors from liquids with a high flash point?
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What is the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel performing air monitoring procedures with the multigas meter?
What is the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel performing air monitoring procedures with the multigas meter?
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What is the priority when removing the victim?
What is the priority when removing the victim?
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What should the decontamination team do before the rescue team doffs their PPE?
What should the decontamination team do before the rescue team doffs their PPE?
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Who has control and coordination of the incident on private property?
Who has control and coordination of the incident on private property?
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What is the Incident Commander's responsibility beyond preserving life and property?
What is the Incident Commander's responsibility beyond preserving life and property?
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What is the responsibility of St.Johns County Fire Rescue regarding the cleanup of used absorbent materials?
What is the responsibility of St.Johns County Fire Rescue regarding the cleanup of used absorbent materials?
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What is the minimum level of protective clothing that must be worn inside the operational perimeter?
What is the minimum level of protective clothing that must be worn inside the operational perimeter?
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What should be done if air monitoring is not available during the incident?
What should be done if air monitoring is not available during the incident?
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What is the responsibility of the responsible party involved in the spill?
What is the responsibility of the responsible party involved in the spill?
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What is the key component that must be accomplished throughout all operations, including the evacuation process?
What is the key component that must be accomplished throughout all operations, including the evacuation process?
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What should personnel be alert for during the incident?
What should personnel be alert for during the incident?
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What is the primary purpose of the procedures outlined in the text?
What is the primary purpose of the procedures outlined in the text?
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Who is responsible for mitigation, preparedness, and response activities for hazardous materials incidents within St.Johns County?
Who is responsible for mitigation, preparedness, and response activities for hazardous materials incidents within St.Johns County?
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What is the primary consideration for all personnel when responding to hazardous materials incidents?
What is the primary consideration for all personnel when responding to hazardous materials incidents?
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What does the text state about the comprehensiveness of the guide?
What does the text state about the comprehensiveness of the guide?
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What resources do responders have access to according to the text?
What resources do responders have access to according to the text?
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What is the purpose of the supporting policies and guides mentioned in the text?
What is the purpose of the supporting policies and guides mentioned in the text?
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What is the primary objective of the initial size-up at a hazmat incident?
What is the primary objective of the initial size-up at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following is NOT recommended when approaching a hazmat incident?
Which of the following is NOT recommended when approaching a hazmat incident?
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What is the primary purpose of establishing an operational perimeter at a hazmat incident?
What is the primary purpose of establishing an operational perimeter at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following is NOT recommended for identifying the involved material(s) at a hazmat incident?
Which of the following is NOT recommended for identifying the involved material(s) at a hazmat incident?
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What is the primary purpose of establishing a Safety Officer at a hazmat incident?
What is the primary purpose of establishing a Safety Officer at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following is NOT a recommended resource for obtaining technical information at a hazmat incident?
Which of the following is NOT a recommended resource for obtaining technical information at a hazmat incident?
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What is the primary reason for establishing Level 1 or Level 2 staging at a predetermined location prior to arrival of additional units?
What is the primary reason for establishing Level 1 or Level 2 staging at a predetermined location prior to arrival of additional units?
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Which of the following is NOT a recommended step when attempting to identify the involved material(s) at a hazmat incident?
Which of the following is NOT a recommended step when attempting to identify the involved material(s) at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials?
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials?
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Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text?
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text?
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What is the primary consideration when identifying priorities at a hazmat incident?
What is the primary consideration when identifying priorities at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following incidents would NOT require calling in Special Operations?
Which of the following incidents would NOT require calling in Special Operations?
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What should be the primary focus of the initial action plan at a hazmat incident?
What should be the primary focus of the initial action plan at a hazmat incident?
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Which of the following actions is NOT recommended when responding to a hazmat incident?
Which of the following actions is NOT recommended when responding to a hazmat incident?
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What should be done with tools and clothing used at a hazmat incident scene?
What should be done with tools and clothing used at a hazmat incident scene?
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What is the purpose of the "D.E.C.I.D.E" mnemonic?
What is the purpose of the "D.E.C.I.D.E" mnemonic?
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What should be done if a hazmat incident involves fire or material subject to blowing in the wind?
What should be done if a hazmat incident involves fire or material subject to blowing in the wind?
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What should be done with victims who may have been exposed to hazardous materials?
What should be done with victims who may have been exposed to hazardous materials?
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What should be done to contain and prevent the spread of hazardous materials?
What should be done to contain and prevent the spread of hazardous materials?
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What should be done in the event of a vehicle accident involving hazardous materials?
What should be done in the event of a vehicle accident involving hazardous materials?
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What should be done after the Fresh Air Setup (FAS) is completed?
What should be done after the Fresh Air Setup (FAS) is completed?
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What should be done if there are doubts about the quality of the surrounding air before using the FAS feature?
What should be done if there are doubts about the quality of the surrounding air before using the FAS feature?
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What should be done if a meter fails its bump test?
What should be done if a meter fails its bump test?
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When should a calibration be performed?
When should a calibration be performed?
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What is advised after a calibration is complete?
What is advised after a calibration is complete?
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What action should be taken if a meter fails its calibration?
What action should be taken if a meter fails its calibration?
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What must be done before activating the Fresh Air Setup (FAS)?
What must be done before activating the Fresh Air Setup (FAS)?
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What should be done if there is ever a question about your meter readings?
What should be done if there is ever a question about your meter readings?
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What should NOT be done with bump gas bottles after testing?
What should NOT be done with bump gas bottles after testing?
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When should a bump test typically be performed?
When should a bump test typically be performed?
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What is the first action that should be taken if a hazardous material is spilled?
What is the first action that should be taken if a hazardous material is spilled?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the four methods of handling hazardous materials spills or leaks?
Which of the following is NOT one of the four methods of handling hazardous materials spills or leaks?
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In which of the following situations should a non-attack posture and immediate evacuation be adopted?
In which of the following situations should a non-attack posture and immediate evacuation be adopted?
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Which of the following is NOT a point that must be addressed in an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for victim rescue?
Which of the following is NOT a point that must be addressed in an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for victim rescue?
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What is the maximum time that rescuers should spend in the hot zone during a victim rescue operation?
What is the maximum time that rescuers should spend in the hot zone during a victim rescue operation?
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What should be done with the hand line during a victim rescue operation?
What should be done with the hand line during a victim rescue operation?
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Which of the following is NOT a requirement for personnel assigned to decontamination during a victim rescue operation?
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for personnel assigned to decontamination during a victim rescue operation?
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What should be considered by the Incident Commander before committing personnel to a victim rescue operation?
What should be considered by the Incident Commander before committing personnel to a victim rescue operation?
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What should be the minimum number of personnel available for an immediate rescue during a victim rescue operation?
What should be the minimum number of personnel available for an immediate rescue during a victim rescue operation?
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What should be done if the chemical involved in a victim rescue operation is not identified and the appropriate PPE is not available?
What should be done if the chemical involved in a victim rescue operation is not identified and the appropriate PPE is not available?
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What is the main reason the meter should not be stored in an open air environment?
What is the main reason the meter should not be stored in an open air environment?
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According to the procedure for logging meter care in RMS, which action should be selected when the meter needs to be taken out of service?
According to the procedure for logging meter care in RMS, which action should be selected when the meter needs to be taken out of service?
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When should the calibration gas for the meter be ordered?
When should the calibration gas for the meter be ordered?
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What should be sent with the meter when it is being sent to Station 16 for repair?
What should be sent with the meter when it is being sent to Station 16 for repair?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a supporting policy for the Standard Operating Guideline?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a supporting policy for the Standard Operating Guideline?
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What is the main purpose of the Standard Operating Guideline?
What is the main purpose of the Standard Operating Guideline?
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Study Notes
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
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All operations up to and including the evacuation process must be accomplished with the idea of overall safety as the key component
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Personnel will wear the appropriate protective clothing
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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
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Meters should not be stored in open air environments to prevent damage from cleaning products, silicone-based products, dirt, dust, etc.
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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.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the established procedures in St.Johns County to respond to hazardous materials incidents and report hazards from releases of hazardous substances. This quiz covers topics from SOP Chapter on Response to Terrorism, Special Operations Response, IMS Policies, and more.