Snohomish County Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction

1. Snohomish County Hazardous Materials andWeapons of Mass Destruction

2. First Responder Guidelines Purpose- To establish consistent and safe guidelines for first response to hazardous materials and WMD incidents. A chemical or biological hazardous material shall be defined as any substance (solid, liquid or gas) capable of creating harm to people, property or the environment.

3. First Responder Guidelines Command- The ICS adopted by the Snohomish County Fire Chief’s Association shall be used at all Hazmat incidents. The system is compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

4. First Responder Guidelines Command Post- The command post shall be located uphill, upwind and at a safe distance from the incident. All personnel at the Command Post shall have appropriate personal protective equipment.

5. First Responder Guidelines Initial Precautions- The following precautions shall be taken by all personnel at the time of dispatch to a possible Hazmat or WMD incident: • Full bunker gear before response • Note wind direction • Approach from uphill/upwind, if possible • Position apparatus at a safe distance (Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Green section) • SCBA’s in “stand-by” position

6. First Responder Guidelines Size up- Determine if Hazmat is present. The following may indicate the presence of a Hazmat: • Type of Occupancy • Type of Container • Placards and/or Labels • Info from bystanders, employees or drivers • Suspicious packages or letters • Transportation documents • Pre-fire information

7. First Responder Guidelines Notification and Report- After determining that a Hazmat may be involved, immediately notify dispatch. Request the notification of the local Emergency Management Duty Staff and establish Incident Command.

8. First Responder Guidelines Isolate and Deny Entry- Use the following methods to isolate the scene and deny entry: • Cones • Barrier tape • Stage incoming units at intersections • Law enforcement

9. First Responder Guidelines Chemistry

10. First Responder Guidelines Identify Hazmat- Use the following information to gather essential information: • Utilize previously gathered info • Talk to owner, driver, employee, etc. • Contact shipper • Contact the manufacturer • Request assistance from Snohomish County Hazmat

11. First Responder Guidelines Assess the Potential- • Container size and amount of material • Type of Hazmat • Damage to container/ rate of release • Weather • Location/population risk • Fire involvement or likelihood

12. First Responder Guidelines Call for Help- • Emergency Management • Police, WSP, Sheriff • Public Works • Coast Guard • Mutual Aid • Chemist, Poison Control, Chemtrec • Red Cross and/or Support 7

13. First Responder Guidelines Control Zones- • Establish exclusionary zone (using Initial Isolation Distances in ERG) • Utilize local geography when establishing Initial Isolation Zones (i.e. highways, railroad tracks, water, etc.)

14. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Rescue: • Attempt only if not endangering personnel • All victims and rescuers considered contaminated (Decon in place) • PPE is adequate • Victim is viable • Back-up team and buddy system used

15. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Confinement: • Damming and/or diking • Diverting • Absorption • Covering solids

16. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Plugging Vehicle Fuel Tanks: • Trained “Operations” level only • Proper PPE (Full turnouts and chemical protective gloves) • Ignition sources are removed • Appropriate defensive actions in place • Avoid turnout contamination (plastic, Tyvek, etc.)

17. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Plugging Vehicle Fuel Tanks (cont.): • Charged hose line in place for Decon • Dry Chemical extinguisher in place during plugging • Personnel must follow manufacturer’s preparation for plugging material • Engine company should never exceed level of training

18. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Extinguishment: • Extinguishing agents may be contaminated and should be contained • Some poisons and pesticides breakdown more efficiently when burned • Flammable gases that are burning should not be extinguished prior to stopping flow

19. First Responder Guidelines Defensive Tactical Considerations- Extinguishment (cont.): • Some products are reactive to extinguishing agents • If flame is impinging a container, water should be used to cool the container at point of impingement

20. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- • Main Line 26” to 30” with 809 to 960 psi • Lateral lines 16” to 20” with .25 to 250 psi • Distribution lines 1.25” to 16” with .25 to 250 psi

21. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Natural Gas Tactical Considerations: • Leak detection • Blowing sound and/or dirt • Bubbles from beneath water • Fire coming from ground • Odor of Mercaptan

22. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Natural Gas Tactical Considerations: • Chemical Characteristics • Lighter than air • 4-15% flammable range • Readily ignited • Can flashback to source • Gas can be trapped under asphalt • Trapped gas can explode

23. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Natural Gas Tactical Considerations: • Protective Actions • If on fire, do not extinguish • Evacuate immediate area • Control exposures • Air monitor surrounding area • Control ignition sources if leak only

24. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Flammable Liquids Basic Information: • Main lines are 16” & 20” with 350 to 1250 psi • Main lines can leak up to 6700 gpm • Products carried are gasoline, jet fuel and diesel

25. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Flammable Liquids Tactical Considerations: • Leak detection: • All fuels have strong distinctive odor • Colorful sheens will appear on water/flat surfaces • Gasoline is flammable • Diesel and Jet Fuel are combustible • All products have VP >1 and SG <1

26. First Responder Guidelines Pipeline Procedure- Flammable Liquids Tactical Considerations: • Protective Actions: • Notify Olympic Pipeline (800-271-8880) • Evacuate exposures downhill/downwind • Do not extinguish • Dam, dyke, divert as appropriate • Avoid prolonged exposure to vapors

27. First Responder Guidelines Biology

28. First Responder Guidelines Biological Agent Response Actions • In general, will not involve a scene to respond to • May require days or weeks to detect patterns • Incidents may involve: • Threat of release • Detected device prior to release • Observed perpetrator in act of disseminating agent • Package or letter with reported agent or suspected agent

29. First Responder Guidelines Biological Agent Response Actions (cont.) • Credible threats managed by NIMS and unified command with Law Enforcement as lead agency • Non-credible threats handled similar to bomb threats • Law Enforcement Duty Chief and Duty Sergeant will be notified by dispatch of a threat • Law Enforcement Duty Chief will assess credibility of threat and notify FBI, if appropriate • Fire Department resources will support only

30. First Responder Guidelines Biological Agent Response Actions (cont.) • Isolate area and establish a perimeter • Quarantine persons involved in the immediate area and place them in area of safe refuge • Recover and double bag unopened packages • Request HazMat response for open packages • Shut down HVAC systems and reduce potential spread • DO NOT USE SUSPECTED AGENT NAME OVER RADIO

31. First Responder Guidelines Biological Agent Response Actions (cont.) • If the product is deemed a credible threat: • Follow HazMat procedures for isolation, product packaging and Decon procedures • Collect all incident and response contact information • Contact local health district to coordinate specimen testing at Washington State DOH Epidemiology Lab • If unable to reach, contact ESCA • Law Enforcement and fire official will remain on-scene until final disposition of specimen is determined • Law Enforcement will deliver specimen to lab

32. First Responder GuidelinesBiological Incident Flowchart

33. First Responder Guidelines

34. First Responder Guidelines Chemical Agent Signs and Symptoms

35. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Approach: • Do not rush in - assume HazMat present • Avoid any exposure • Position apparatus uphill, upwind and facing away from incident • Recon will be made using SCBA and full PPE using the buddy system

36. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Size-up: • Determine type of incident using binoculars • Identify product and/or container • Determine priorities- life, environment, property • Is facility a possible terrorist target • Is there a suspected Biological Agent

37. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Report: • Report to dispatch and incoming units • Establish command and command post • Give size-up from gathered information • Call for help as needed • State your objectives: Control, rescue, etc.

38. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Scene Control: • Isolate the area (use ERG or Pipeline Procedure Guide) • Deny entry and stage incoming units • Determine safe approach route • Establish emergency Decon for victims and/or rescuers

39. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Gather Information: • Product name- UN number, classification • Paperwork- MSDS, shipping papers, consists • Resources- driver/shipper, plant specialists • Determine potential- exposures, weather, release type and rate of release

40. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Establish Emergency or Mass Decon: • Locate Decon area uphill/upwind • Lay 1 ¾” for Emergency Decon • Position apparatus in triangle for Mass Decon • Bag and label personal belongings • Dry brush powder contaminants • Flush with water for 5 to 15 minutes • Segregate symptomatic and non-symptomatic

41. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Establish Emergency or Mass Decon (cont) : • Perform secondary evaluation of patient • Provide blanket or Tyvek coverall • Avoid aid unit contamination • Cover gurney in plastic and transport crews in chemical protective gloves • Notify hospital of contamination • MCI protocols shall be utilized for patient care after Mass Decon

42. First Responder Guidelines Initial Actions for HAZMAT and WMD Responses • Rescue : • Attempt rescue only if: • Patient is viable • PPE is available • Buddy system is used • Back-up team is available

43. HAZMAT SAFETY HAZMAT GROUP SUPERVISOR HAZMAT TEAM AID ENTRY OFFICER ENTRY BACK UP INCIDENT COMMAND AGENCY REP TO INCIDENT COMMAND HAZMAT LIAISON SITE SAFETY OPERATIONS HAZ MAT GROUP/BRANCH HAZMAT MEDICAL RESOURCE DECON OFFICER MEDIC AID DECON TEAM EMT’s AID REHAB First Responder GuidelinesHazMat Group Organization Chart

44. First Responder GuidelinesHazMat Group Organization Chart Terrorism

45. First Responder GuidelinesHazMat Group Organization Chart Any Questions?