Table Of ContentH M I :
AZARDOUS ATERIALS NCIDENTS
SURVIVING THE INITIAL RESPONSE
Steven M. De Lisi
Disclaimer
The recommendations, advice, descriptions, and the methods in this book are presented solely for
educational purposes. The author and publisher assume no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage
that results from the use of any of the material in this book. Use of the material in this book is solely at
the risk of the user.
Copyright © 2006 by
PennWell Corporation
1421 South Sheridan Road
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112-6600 USA
800.752.9764
+1.918.831.9421
[email protected]
www.pennwellbooks.com
www.pennwell.com
www.FireEngineeringBooks.com
Director: Mary McGee
Managing Editor: Marla Patterson
Production/Operations Manager: Traci Huntsman
Assistant Editor: Amethyst Hensley
Production Editor: Tony Quinn
Cover Designer: Clark Bell
Book Designer: Sheila Brock
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
DeLisi, Steven M.
Hazardous materials incidents : surviving the initial response / by Steven M. DeLisi.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59370-071-3 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59370-071-7 (hardcover)
1. Hazardous substances--Safety measures. 2. Incident command systems. I. Title.
T55.3.H3D447 2006
363.17--dc22
2006010310
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 10 09 08 07 06
Contents
Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
1 Beyond the Rule of Thumb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2 What Is a Hazardous Material?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Types of Hazardous Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Code of Federal Regulations—Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
OSHA Hazard Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3 The Role of First Responders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Who Are First Responders? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Suggested Roles for First Responders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
4 Planning for a Hazardous Materials Incident. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Emergency Planning and Reporting Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Emergency Release Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Emergency Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS: SURVIVING THE INITIAL RESPONSE
5 How Not to Become Part of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Dispatching Hazardous Material Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Response and Arrival at the Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
The Material, the Container, and the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Stages of a Hazardous Materials Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Containers That Have Released Their Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Containers with an Ongoing Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Containers That Have Not Released Their Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Defensive Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
6 Who First Responders Should Call to Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Learning the Characteristics of a Hazardous Material. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Contacting Those Who Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Support during a Hazardous Materials Incident. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
7 Documents First Responders Can Use for Effective Decision Making. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Emergency Response Guidebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Material Safety Data Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Chemical and Physical Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Health Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Obtaining a Material Safety Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
8 Identifying the Material. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
The Name of the Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Four-Digit Identification Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Hazard Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Hierarchy of Material Identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
viii
CONTENT S
9 Characteristics of Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
General Characteristics of Containers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Special Characteristics of Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Temperature and Pressure of Materials Related to Container Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
10 Evaluating the Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Time of Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Taking Care of First Responders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
11 Defensive Actions for First Responders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Preventing a Release. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Containing the Release of a Liquid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Containing the Release of Gases and Vapors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Containing the Release of a Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Protective Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Decontamination of First Responders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
12 Highway Transportation Incidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Characteristics of Labels and Placards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Use of Labels and Placards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Display of Four-Digit Identification Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Use of the DANGEROUS Placard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Interpreting Labels, Placards, and Markings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Shipping Papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Additional Highway Transportation Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
ix
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS: SURVIVING THE INITIAL RESPONSE
13 Railroad Transportation Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Preparing for a Railroad Transportation Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Responding to Railroad Transportation Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
14 Fixed Facility Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Responding to Fixed Facility Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
NFPA 704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
The Reality of Fixed Facility Incidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
15 “Routine” Hazardous Materials Incidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Spills from Home Heating Oil Tanks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Residential Carbon Monoxide Detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
“Fuming” Trash Containers and Trash Collection Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Suspicious Odors in Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Defensive Fire Suppression Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Contaminated Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
16 Understanding Atmospheric Monitors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Basic Operation of Atmospheric Monitors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Functional (Bump) and Full Calibrations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
General Use of Atmospheric Monitors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Readings as a Basis for Decision Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Multiple Hazards during an Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Potential for Inaccurate Readings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Interpreting “Zero” Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
x
CONTENT S
17 Understanding Class B Foam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
What Is Class B Foam?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Polar Versus Nonpolar Solvents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Types of Class B Foam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Producing Class B Foam Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Determining the Amount of Foam Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Preplanning Foam Fire Suppression Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Applying Class B Foam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
18 Managing the Initial Phase of a Hazardous Materials Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Command Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Action Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
The Thinking Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
The Action Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
The Waiting Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Safe Work Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
“What Are We Doing, and Why Are We Doing It?”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
19 Is the Incident a Crime Scene?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Detecting Possible Criminal Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
20 Cleanup, Recovery, Reimbursement, and Scene Restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Cleanup of a Hazardous Materials Incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Recovery of Vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Reimbursement for Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Scene Restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Chapter Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
xi
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS: SURVIVING THE INITIAL RESPONSE
Appendix A Incident Command Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Appendix B Hazardous Materials Warning Labels and Placards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Appendix C Acronyms and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
xii
1
B R T
EYOND THE ULE OF HUMB
The purpose of this book is to provide first responders with the knowledge and skills to safely
and effectively respond to incidents that involve hazardous materials. Some of these incidents
may require the assistance of personnel who are members of organized hazardous materials teams.
Other incidents may be managed safely by first responders with assistance from groups such as
environmental cleanup contractors, regulatory agencies, or those who manufacture, transport, or
use hazardous materials.
Regardless of the level of expertise of those who ultimately respond to a hazardous materials
incident, the first on the scene will usually be firefighter or EMS personnel who are not members
of a hazardous materials team. More than likely they have not received any highly specialized or
technical training related to hazardous materials. Yet these first responders are the ones who can
ultimately set the stage for the success or failure of the entire operation.
It is important to remember that while some hazardous materials incidents are catastrophic events
from the very beginning, many more start out as minor events and escalate only when something
goes terribly wrong. Quite often, first responders are dispatched to hazardous materials incidents
with limited or erroneous information. At other times, first responders may fail to recognize the
involvement of hazardous materials in what may appear to be a routine call. If they do identify
something suspicious, they may simply underestimate the potential threats to themselves, the public,
and the environment. These threats are not limited to those that can affect the health and safety of
first responders, but also include those that can embroil them in lengthy legal battles if their actions
are inappropriate.
During any hazardous materials incident, first responders can quickly become part of the
problem. This could include the following types of events:
• Rear-end collision involving two passenger vehicles
• EMS call at a residence for diffi culty breathing
• Garage fi re or shed fi re
• Trash fi re
• Car fi re
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS: SURVIVING THE INITIAL RESPONSE
Most departments would not dispatch these calls as hazardous materials incidents. Yet what may
appear to be a relatively minor motor vehicle accident involving two cars takes on a whole new meaning
when a clear liquid with a pungent odor is discovered leaking from the trunk of one of the vehicles.
Likewise, first responders dispatched to an EMS call involving a patient with difficulty breathing at a
private residence may discover the patient’s medical problems are related to exposure to a pesticide during
routine yard maintenance. And perhaps an effort to extinguish what appears to be a small trash fire on a
vacant lot results in a violent reaction when water is applied.
What should a first responder do? When asked about their strategy for dealing with any incident
that could involve hazardous materials, many first responders use the so-called Rule of Thumb. This rule
suggests that when first responders can cover the view of the incident with a thumb, they are far enough
away. This approach may work well for major events when it is known that hazardous materials are
involved or there are clues to warn first responders of impending danger. Yet the reality is that many more
incidents involving hazardous materials are dispatched as routine events that offer few clues, if any, to first
responders. These can be difficult to distinguish from other types of incidents.
Does this mean that when responding to every EMS call, car fire, or trash fire that a first responder
must park his apparatus down the street, raise his thumb, and proclaim, “This is all I need to know about
hazardous materials”? One hopes not.
Should first responders instead aggressively approach every incident? No, they should not. Rather, they
must temper their natural aggressive tendencies that cause them to rush into every scene with an answer
for all occasions. This tendency must be weighed against the stay-far-away and paralyzed mentality all too
often associated with the Rule of Thumb.
The solution is to move beyond the Rule of Thumb. First responders should instead approach all
incidents with a level of concern that anticipates the involvement of hazardous materials and recognizes
the potential problems these materials can cause. They can then determine appropriate actions that will
achieve a positive outcome. Whenever possible, the first responder should take care not to become part
of the problem or make the problem worse. Rather, the first responder should know who to call for help
and how to reach them.
What if the first responder responds to a report of an overturned cargo tank or a train derailment?
Would it be a good idea to stay back from the incident? It probably would be, especially if the first
responder wants to go home alive. However, those who simply apply the Rule of Thumb to these types of
incidents may assume their role is to do nothing until help arrives. Moving beyond this rule allows a first
responder to make effective decisions during even catastrophic events and take actions that can make a
difference, while minimizing personal exposure.
What if the first responder responds on a call to a residence where a mercury thermometer or a bottle
of pesticide concentrate has been broken, or a container of muriatic acid has leaked? Perhaps a citizen
brings a box of old chemicals to a fire station for disposal, or what appears to be a pipe bomb is discovered
while overhauling a trash fire.
2
