502.00 First Arriving Unit.docx

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SECTION: 500.00 / HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Guideline: 502.00 First Arriving Unit Effective Date: 3-15-94 Revision Date: 1/2023 502.00 FIRST ARRIVING UNIT The first arriving officer will establish command and begin a size-up. The officer must consciously avoid committing the...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SECTION: 500.00 / HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Guideline: 502.00 First Arriving Unit Effective Date: 3-15-94 Revision Date: 1/2023 502.00 FIRST ARRIVING UNIT The first arriving officer will establish command and begin a size-up. The officer must consciously avoid committing the fire company to a dangerous situation. When approaching, slow down or stop, to assess any visible activity taking place. Evaluate the effects of wind, topography, and location of the situation. The Incident Commander (IC) should advise all other units to stage until instructed to take specific action. Units must “stage” in a safe location, considering; wind, spill flow, explosion potential, and similar factors in any situation. CRITICAL INFORMATION Type of product involved. Exact location of release. Amount of product involved. Source of release. Circumstances surrounding incident and release. Action needed to control the incident. IDENTIFICATION OF ANY PRODUCT is accomplished through the following: Placards Shipping papers Labels Driver of vehicle Owner of company or vehicle Railroad Car markings Color of cars or stripes Number of cars or tanks Product names on cars or tanks The amount of effort expended to research the chemicals at a given hazardous materials incident will depend, in part, on the amount of reliable information that is available about the chemicals.