SFD.004 - Hazardous Materials Operations PDF

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Line - Revision: 0 - Issue Date: 23 Aug. 2024 - Effective Date: 23 Aug. 2024 - Review Date: 1 Aug. 2025 - Operation: Hazardous Materials Operations - Reviewed by: S - Approved by: Scott C. Seifert ## Hazardous Materials Operations ###...

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Line - Revision: 0 - Issue Date: 23 Aug. 2024 - Effective Date: 23 Aug. 2024 - Review Date: 1 Aug. 2025 - Operation: Hazardous Materials Operations - Reviewed by: S - Approved by: Scott C. Seifert ## Hazardous Materials Operations ### 1. Executive Summary **a. Examples of Incidents:** Includes biological agent incidents, chemical spills, warehouse fires, gas releases, flammable liquid fires, and other chemical or biological health risks. **b. Notifications:** Notify Harris County Haz Mat for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incidents, narcotics labs, and when additional expertise is needed. **c. Defensive Strategy:** Start all HAZMAT incidents with a Defensive strategy, focusing on defining and isolating the hazard zone, evacuating exposures, and protecting exposures. **d. First Arriving Apparatus Officer Responsibilities:** Establish safe operations, assume command, assess the incident from a distance, avoid vapor clouds or spills, and provide relevant information to incoming resources. **e. Incident Commander Responsibilities:** Manage the overall operational plan, establish a command post, identify hazardous materials, develop an incident action plan, coordinate with the Hazardous Materials Team, and ensure appropriate protective equipment is worn. **f. Safety Officer Responsibilities:** Identify and evaluate hazards, provide safety direction, consult with the Incident Commander, and ensure decontamination procedures are implemented. **g.** ### 2. Purpose - The purpose of this policy is to guide fire department personnel through successful mitigation of hazardous materials incidents without injury to themselves or the public as well as minimizing harm to the environment and personal property. ### 3. Policy Statement - Any guidelines or policies written should utilize this template and the methodology described here. ### 4. Scope - This guideline applies to all members who may participate in hazardous materials response. ### 5. Definitions - See Glossary. ### 6. Procedures and Responsibilities - Examples of hazardous materials incidents include, but are not limited to, the following: - 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 other incident which poses a chemical or biological health risk to people - Harris County Haz Mat will be notified for the following: - 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 - All known HAZMAT incidents will start in the Defensive strategy. - **Defensive tactical priorities:** - Define the Hazard Zone - Isolate the hazard zone - Search and evacuate exposures - Protect exposures - The first arriving apparatus officer is responsible for establishing a safe operation and will: - Assume command - Approach incident from an uphill/upwind direction, if possible - Stop and assess the incident from a distance and identify the product, container type, quantity and extent of release or potential release. - Avoid driving into or near vapor clouds or spill - Avoid walking into or touching spilled material - Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke or vapors - Isolate site and prevent entry to unauthorized personnel - Provide incoming resources with relevant information for planning and response. - Consult the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) and follow the guidance provided. - Assess on-scene capabilities and request additional resources as needed, including obtaining relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDS) if available. - When safe to do so contain product - The Incident Commander is responsible for establishing and managing the overall operational plan to ensure a successful outcome of the emergency and will: - Establish a command post. - Identify the hazardous material and hazardous conditions. - Develop an incident action plan for incident stabilization and implement appropriate emergency operations, including conduction of a pre-entry safety briefing for involved personnel. - Coordinate with responding Hazardous Materials Team officer to develop IAP - Implement a response that will favorably change the outcome of an incident by developing the organization to the appropriate level. - Direct and coordinate, within the framework of this procedure, all emergency services and agencies at a hazardous materials incident. - Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is always worn during emergency operations involving exposure to hazardous materials. - Ensure qualified emergency medical personnel are available and standing by with equipment and transportation capabilities. - Provide emergency evacuation of personnel operating in the Hot Zone. - Such notification shall be CONTINUOUS SOUNDING OF APPARATUS AIR HORNS FOR 30 SECONDS! - Utilize dispatch to send evacuation tones. - Define boundaries of the Hot, Warm and Cold Zones and limit the number of personnel actively working in the zones, but never less than two per group. - Analyze the incident to determine the magnitude of the problem by completing the following: - Collect and interpret hazard and response information from available resources. - Estimate the potential outcomes within the endangered area. - Determine if areas beyond incident site are threatened; if so: - Decide on the protection method desired: shelter-in-place OR evacuation. - Define perimeter of threatened area. * Major streets * Creeks or waterways * Familiar landmarks - If the incident is not a threat beyond the immediate site, but the possibility exists that it could be a threat later in the incident, notify dispatch. - Warn citizens in threatened areas, request through dispatch center. - Utilize law enforcement - Social Media Platforms (PIO) - Conditions may require rapid notification of a large area. In such an event, utilize the EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM via dispatch center. - Return residents when conditions permit cancellation of alert. ### 7. Figure 1: Hazard Zones and Area of Refuge - COLD ZONE - WARM ZONE - HOT ZONE - AREA OF REFUGE - ACCESS CORRIDOR - DECON ZONE - Designate a Safety Officer. - The Safety Officer assigned has the specific responsibility to identify and evaluate hazards and to provide direction with respect to the safety of operations during the emergency. The Safety Officer will: * Consult with the IC on the proposed plan of action and attend all safety briefings. * Identify the hazardous situations associated with the incident as it pertains to overall site safety. * Consult with the Hazardous Materials Team Officer and ensure that a separate person has been assigned to oversee safety inside the Hot Zone. * Correct, suspend, or terminate unsafe acts or conditions through the chain of command, or immediately, when circumstances require immediate action. * Emphasize exposure reporting of all affected personnel. - Company Officers are responsible for directing their companies in accordance with this procedure and direction of the Incident Commander. - The Hazardous Materials Team Officer shall assist the Incident Commander in directing efforts towards stabilization of the incident including containment of released hazardous materials and mitigation of associated dangers. - Division Officers are responsible for directing and coordinating activities, within the framework of this procedure and the directions of the Incident Commander, in the division to which they have been assigned. - Pre-Entry: The following information to the extent available shall be obtained prior to allowing entry: - Location and approximate size of the site. - Description of the response activity and/or the job task to be performed. - Duration of the planned activity. - Hazardous substances and health hazards involved or expected at the site, and their chemical and physical properties. - Establish the following groups, and assign officers to the following responsibilities, if the magnitude of the incident warrants: - **Access Group** * Clear area of unauthorized personnel * Limit entry into Hot Zone to personnel who have been trained to the level they are expected to operate, and not beyond. * Wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment/SCBA if exposure to Hazardous chemicals or health hazards are possible * Record all personnel entering and leaving the Hot Zone. * Direct all personnel exiting the Hot Zone to leave through the decontamination zone. - **Containment Group** * Ensure that the personnel assigned to this function are adequately protected against the hazards they may face. * Determine the points where containment may be necessary and take appropriate measures to contain the spill or runoff. * Determine and request the necessary supplies and equipment needed to complete containment measures. - **Decontamination Group** * Determine the level of decontamination needed through manufacturer of product, CHEMTREC, EMERGENCY ACTION GUIDE, CHRIS MANUAL, POISON CONTROL CENTER, ETC. * Obtain necessary decontamination supplies. * Establish decontamination area in Warm Zone. * Determine appropriate level of PPE for decontamination personnel. * Determine when decontamination has been successfully accomplished. * Determine if personnel need further decontamination and medical treatment, advise receiving hospital and transport patient(s) to that facility. - **Medical Group** * 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 - **Hazard Group** * Responsible for extinguishment and containment of hazardous materials in the Hazard Zone Identify the hazardous material and determine its hazards. * Determine the proper level of PPE for personnel operating in the Hot Zone. * Provide proper backup personnel, one person for each person operating in the Hot Zone. Personnel SHALL work in pairs. * Ensure decontamination has been established, when conditions warrant, before personnel are committed to operation. * Coordinate with the Hazardous Materials Team Officer to ensure that flammable and toxic vapor monitoring is established prior to operations within the hazard zone. * Stabilize the incident within the Hot Zone. - **Rescue Group** * Work with the hazard group to ensure that rescue personnel are adequately protected against the hazards of the incident prior to entering the Hot Zone. * Assess equipment needs and request needs through Command. * Effect extrication, rescue, and recovery * Ensure that victims and rescue personnel are properly decontaminated upon leaving the Hot Zone. * Request assistance from EMS in patient assessment - **Evacuation Group** * Establish an evacuation plan and communicate the plan to supporting agency liaisons. * Determine evacuation perimeters. * Determine the number and location of shelter sites and communicate the locations to the incident commander. * Coordinate resources required for the evacuation and notify other appropriate agencies. * Notify law enforcement for assistance in securing the perimeter, evacuation, and traffic control. * Establish transportation for evacuees. * Order evacuation and evacuate persons from the area of greatest danger first. * Monitor, support, and revise the evacuation process as necessary. * Provide continuing command of the evacuation, de-commitment, and return of evacuees. - 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 accordingly (i.e. 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** * Although most units/members will not be working in a hot zone on a HAZMAT incident, the IC is still responsible for tracking all the resources assigned to the incident scene. * General HAZMAT accountability guidelines: * The IC will use a tactical worksheet to track incident resources. * Group supervisors can use a tactical worksheet or passports to manage accountability in their assigned group. * Task level units that are already in place and working when a group supervisor is assigned should report to the supervisor face to face and provide an update on work progress and needs. * Task level units assigned to a group with a supervisor already in place will need to report to their group supervisor face to face when arriving at the work location * Group supervisors should contact units at their staging location as soon as they are assigned to them and advise them what equipment/apparatus is needed at the work location * The work/rest cycle is improved/lengthened working in a non IDLH environment * All hot zone entries will follow structural firefighting passport accountability system * If the incident uses a HAZMAT Branch, the IC is responsible for documenting the resources assigned to the branch, while the Branch Director is responsible for tracking the ins and outs of the resources assigned to them. - **General Procedure/Policy/Notes:** * Actions shall only take place if they will favorably change the outcome of the incident. * Actions shall be avoided until the chemical has been identified and its hazards known. This information shall be communicated in a SAFETY BRIEFING held prior to work being performed in the HOT ZONE. * Fire Apparatus shall not enter railroad yard(s) without a railroad official escorting the fire department. * Firefighters operating at a hazardous materials incident SHALL NOT OPERATE OR BE UTILIZED BEYOND THEIR LEVEL OF TRAINING. * All Spring Fire Department Personnel shall be trained to the Awareness Level to respond to Hazardous Materials Incidents. * Those personnel trained only to Awareness level cannot engage in any offensive activities. * Personnel trained to the Operations level are only allowed to operate defensively. * personnel may dam/dike/contain the spill. * personnel may establish the exclusion zones (cold, warm, hot), evacuate/notify citizens, and perform air monitoring. * Only HazMat Technicians are allowed to operate in any offensive operations (in coordination with Hazmat Team) * Technicians may address the actual leak. * Technicians may attempt to stop the leak by plugging or squeezing the gas line. - Texas Commission on Environmental Equality shall be notified in the event of environmentally threatened incidents. - Harris County Haz Mat will be requested * 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. ### 7. References & Related Policies - This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. ### 8. Contact Office - The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: * Company Officer * District Chief * Deputy Chief of Operations * Assistant Chief * Fire Chief ### 9. List of Changes - Revision | Description of Changes | Approved by | Effective Date | ----|---|---|---| - | | | | ### 10. Errors - See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. ### Applicable State or Federal Statutes | NFPA | Applicable State or Federal Statutes | OSHA Standard | Spring FD | TFCA | ISO | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | NFPA 472 | CPSE PI | 29 CFR 1910.120 | | | | | TCFP | EPA Standard 40 CFR 311 | | | | | | Other | ISFSI Awareness Student Manual | | | | | | | ISFSI Operations Student Manual | | | | | ### 8. Contact Office - The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: * Company Officer * District Chief * Deputy Chief of Operations * Assistant Chief * Fire Chief ### 9. List of Changes - Revision | Description of Changes | Approved by | Effective Date | ----|---|---|---| - | | | | ### 10. Errors - See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. ### 11. Disclaimers - This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.