Dearborn Fire Department

1. Dearborn Fire Department Response to Haz-Mat Incidents & How to Request the Haz-Mat Team.

2. Objectives • To be able to respond to Hazardous Material Incident and have a general idea of how to handle the incident in a safe way. • To be able to gather the needed information and request the Haz-Mat team. • To learn what will be needed from the department’s firefighters and command once the Haz-Mat Team is on scene.

3. This Presentation will be broken down into 3 sections • 1st Engine’s response to a Haz-Mat Incident. • Proper way to request the Haz-Mat Team and the information needed when requesting the Team. • What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU.

4. 1st Engine’s response to a Haz-Mat Incident. • Dispatch information • Arriving on scene • Information gathering • Initial Decisions • Difference between an Incident at a fixed site versus a rail or over road incident.

5. Dispatch Information • Haz-Mat calls may not always come in a Haz-Mat or WMD call. • Look for Red Flags that may indicate a Haz-Mat run. • “DON’T RUSH IN” • If you think it might be a Haz-Mat or WMD incident upon arrival take a cautious approach.

6. Dispatch Information • Size up- check wind direction via dispatch or flag • Apparatus positioning – if possible approach up wind, stream, and up hill. • Keep a safe distance!

7. Arriving on scene • Try to find out what happened, when it happened, and is the problem still happening.

8. Arriving on scene • Find out as much as you can before entering a hazardous area.

9. Arriving on scene • Occupancy and/or location • Container/vehicle shape (size and configuration) • Markings and colors • Placards and labels • Papers (shipping papers, materials safety data sheets)

10. First Information to obtain and Initial Decisions • What is the Chemical name • Are there any special instructions about that chemical. • Use your ERG ( Emergency Response Guidebook) to get the info needed to make your initial decisions on zones and scene safety

11. Where to find the Information you need • Fixed sites – employees, MSDS’s, and NFPA 704 Hazard ID system • Over the road or Rail – DOT Placarding and Rail & Road Trailer Identifification system. • Shipping papers and Rail consist.

12. WMD Type Incidents • It could be a chemical or a bomb release or both. The release could be NERVE AGENTS , VESICANTS (blister agent), BLOOD AGENTS , CHOKING, IRRITANTS, or BIOLOGICAL.

13. Responder Actions on a WMD incident would include the following • Notification • Security • Secondary device search** • Medical assistance • Decontamination • Documentation • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE OR DISARM

14. Requesting the Hazmat Team • What information to have before requesting. • Who can request the Hazmat Team. • What are the levels of response from the Hazmat Team. • How to request the Hazmat Team.

15. What information to have before requesting. • First there is no minimum amount of information needed before the Hazmat Team will respond. • Get as much info as can be done safely and continue to get info while Team is responding. • Information needed : Brief description of what happened, Staging area and direction to respond in from.

16. Who can request the Hazmat Team. • The Engine company will notify the duty B.C. of a Incident that involves or could involve Hazardous Materials, Suspicious powder and/or WMD. • The B.C. will respond and he will determine if the Hazmat Team will respond.

17. What are the levels of response from the Hazmat Team. • A Consult • A TAG response • Full Team response • The level of response can grow from a lesser level up to the level needed or can start Full Team response.

18. Hazmat Consult • This is the first and minimum level response. • With this level the B.C. can call HEMS request that they page out for a Hazmat Teamleader to call to answer questions. • The B.C. will need to give a brief explanation of what is happening and a phone number he can be reached at. • Example: Dearborn requesting a Consult for a White powder at a school. Call B.C ______ at 313-943-1234

19. Hazmat TAG Response • The next level up in a response would be a TAG response. • This type of response would a physical, but a limited response from the Hazmat team. • The B.C. would do the same as for a consult but say TAG instead.

20. Hazmat FULL Team Response • The last level of response would be a FULL TEAM response. • This type of response is for a Major event that will be long in duration or large in scope.

21. What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU. • Secure the Scene. • Set up zones. • Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated. • Gather as much information as can be done safely.

22. What the Hazmat Team needs from YOU. • Occupancy and/or location • Container/vehicle shape (size and configuration) • Markings and colors • Placards and labels • Papers (shipping papers, materials safety data sheets)

23. Secure the Scene • Restrict entry and exit. • Secure any paperwork that would be relevant.

24. Set up zones • Zones will be different for each incident. • Zones can be changed as more information is obtained. • First zones can be physical boundaries. • Air monitoring can be used with Full PPE to assist in setting up zones.

25. Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated • Exposed – In the area where a release happened. • Contaminated – Actually got the release on them.

26. Determine if there are any people exposed and/or contaminated • For Contaminated victims – start thinking about DECON. • For Exposed victims – confine them until it is determined if they are contaminated. • If victims are in distress DECON per the information you have at hand then render aid.

27. Mass DECON problems • Controlling large numbers of people. • Using handlines for Mass DECON • Clothing and shelter after Mass DECON

28. Gather as much information as can be done safely • MSDS’s • Paperwork of any type. • Contact people and phone numbers • Always when collecting information only collect what you can with the protection you have.

29. QUESTIONS