First Responder Awareness (FRA) Instructors: Jerry Earley, CIH Gary Duran

First Responder Awareness (FRA)Instructors: Jerry Earley, CIH

Gary Duran

At theAt the

First ResponderFirst Responder

Awareness LevelAwareness Level

Intro to Hazardous Materials

The Haz Mat Problem

• Use/misuse of Haz Mats create “Events”– Modern standard of living requires Haz Mat use and

transport– “Events”* will happen

• *(accidents/emergencies/incidents)

The Haz Mat Problem

• Over 16 million chemicals in existence– 70,000 potentially classified as “hazardous”

Elements of Hazmat Problem

• Volume of hazardous materials• The human factor• “Events” will happen!

Three Primary Risks

• Life/Health• Environment• Property

The Haz Mat Problem

• We can’t eliminate events, but can– Mitigate events– Prepare for events– Effectively & efficiently respond

The Haz Mat Problem

• Haz Mat events are “different”…– Must respond safely, slowly & methodically

Ms. Gump, your boy’s “different”...

What is “Hazardous”?

• No one universal definition for, BUT: • UN System helps classify them

– 9 hazard classes

Explosive

Compressed Gases

Flammable*

Oxidizer

Poison

Radioactive

Corrosive

Misc. Dangerous Substances

Corrosive

Oxidizer

ExplosivePoison

Radioactive

Flammable

Hazard Classes w/Examples

Explosives (Class 1)

• Trinitrotoluene (TNT)• Black Powder• Lead azide• ANFO• PETN

Gases (Class 2)

• Anhydrous Ammonia• Hydrogen Sulfide• Phosgene• Acetylene• Diborane

Flammable/Combustible Liquids (Class 3)

• Gasoline• Alcoholic Beverages• Hydrazine• Toluene• Acetone

Flammable Solids (Class 4)

• Aluminum phosphide• Naphthalene• Sodium• Barium• Carbon

Oxidizers & Organic Peroxides (Class 5)

• Red Fuming Nitric Acid• Nitrogen tetroxide• Potassium nitrate• Calcium Nitrate• Fluorine

Poisonous & Infections Materials Poisonous & Infections Materials (Class 6)(Class 6)

• Hydrazine• Nicotine• Acrolein• Fluorine• Bromine

Radioactive Materials (Class 7)

• Uranium Hexafluoride• Thorium

Corrosive Materials (Class 8)Corrosive Materials (Class 8)Corrosive Materials (Class 8)Corrosive Materials (Class 8)

• Red Fuming Nitric Acid• Sodium hydroxide• Sulfuric Acid• Hydrazine• Bromine

Misc. Hazardous Materials (Class 9)

• Ammonium nitrate fertilizers• Hazardous waste• Wheelchairs• Automobiles• Asbestos

Multiple Hazards & Health Effects

• Regulations are performance standards• More than one hazard class• Markings don’t show all hazards• Think of multiple hazards always!

Haz Mat Commons & Typicals

x

Haz Mat Commons

• Most common:– Release: Petroleum products– Locations: Fixed facilities – Factor: Collision/Overturn

Haz Mat Typicals

• The typical:– Responder exposure: Inhalation– Number of response agencies: Four– Response problem: Poor management!

First Responder’s Role

• Primary First Responder role– Safely and competently respond– Within appropriate —

• level• resources• and capabilities

First Responder Awareness

• OSHA definition– Likely to witness/discover a release– Can initiate notifying authorities– Take no further actions

Other Levels

• FRO• TECH• SPECIALIST

All Levels Have Limits

• Mission/Assignment• Training• Equipment

Know Your…

• Level• Role• Responsibility• Limits

Pertinent Laws & Regs

• Title 8 CCR 5192(q) – Safety/Planning/Response/Training

• VC 2454– IC for incidents on Highway/Road

• VC 2453, H&SC 6.95, SARA III §304– Planning & Notifications.

Hazardous Materials Recognition & Safety

Hazard Recognition

• Must Know How to Recognize Haz Mat Incidents

Importance of Recognition

• Any responder can encounter hazmats• Any responder can get hurt

CopsFireMedicalOthers

Importance of Recognition

• Recognition leads to safety• Safety leads to lives preserved

Not Always Reported as Hazmats

• Many reported as:– Traffic accident– Medical aid– Fire, person down, etc.

• Initial report may not indicate presence of hazardous materials!

Hazmat Recognition Clues

• Occupancy/Location• Container Shapes• Markings & Colors• Placards & Labels

Hazmat Recognition Clues

• Shipping Papers and MSDS• Senses• Other Clues

Occupancy & Location

Hazmat Locations

• Haz Mats manufactured, stored, Haz Mats manufactured, stored, used and transported used and transported anywhereanywhere

Hazmat Locations

• Be aware of “Common” locations

Container Shapes

Containers and Packages

• Shape may be a clue to the contents– Container – Package– Truck– Tank

Container Shapes

• DOT specification vehicle• Compressed gas cylinders• Common above-ground tanks

DOT Spec Vehicles

• DOT 406/MC 306

DOT Spec Vehicles

• DOT 407/MC 307

DOT Spec Vehicles

• DOT 412/MC 312

DOT Spec Vehicles

• MC 331

DOT Spec Vehicles

• MC 331 – Tube Trailer

DOT Spec Vehicles

• MC 338

Gas Cylinders

Storage Tanks

Potential Stresses

• Thermal• Mechanical• Chemical• Radiation

Senses

• Last resort!• Highest danger!

Other Recognition Clues?

• Responsible Party• Witnesses• Business plan

“Clues” are “Clues”!

• They are a,– Warning– Note of caution– Indication of things to come– But not always all the answers!

Outward Warning Signs

• Evidence of leak, fire, smoke, vapors, unusual colors/odors

• People running from, or collapsed in the area

Outward Warning Signs

• Sound of an operating relief valve• Remember: Assume Haz Mat & look

for clues or warning signs until you confirm the absence of hazardous materials!

Special Markings

• NFPA 704• Biohazards• Military markings• Pipeline markers• Hazcom markings• Railcards

Placards and Labels

• Know hazard classes– Colors– Symbols– Placard/label shapes

SymbolBackground and Border

ID Number and Division Number

1654

6.1

Components of Placards

Placards and Labels

• Know placard limits– Multiple and subsidiary hazards– “Dangerous” placard meaning

• (Table 1 & 2 commodities)

– Compliance and enforcement

Shipping Papers

• Preferred Haz Mat Identification Source

• Know types and locations

Locations of Shipping Papers

• Truck: Bill of Lading (In cab)

Locations of Shipping Papers

• Air: Air Bill (In cockpit)

Locations of Shipping Papers

• Rail: Waybill & Consist (With crew)

Locations of Shipping Papers

• Vessel: Dangerous Cargo Manifest (On bridge)

Lundgren Shipping

Shipping Papers

• Should include info about products

• But they may not always be accurate or complete

?

Material Safety Data Sheets

• Should be available for each Haz Mat in the workplace– Required by OSHA Hazard

Communication Regs

• Provides valuable information

MSDS

Bad stuff!

Touch this and you die.

Call 911 now!

Diforsuranol

Make out your will. It’s all over.Death imminent. No hope for you pal!

First Operational Thought

• Experienced responders have a positive safety attitude– Use recognized safety procedures– Develop awareness of possible secondary &

tertiary hazards– Treat all Haz Mat events with respect &

anticipate problems

First Operational Thought

• Cross reference 3 or more sources

• Ensure back-up plans are in place

• Set up and use decon procedures early

Mental Safe Approach

• Maintain a Mental Safe Approach Tactic– Always keep your distance– Upwind, Upgrade and Upstream!– Be a responder, not an indicator

Ways Hazmats Can Kill

• Toxicity• Radioactivity• Asphyxiation• Explosion• Flammability• Corrosion

““I have I have sinnedsinned…”…”J. Swaggert

Safety, Isolation and Notifications (S.I.N.)

Definition - SIN

• S = Safety• I = Isolation• N = Notifications

Responder Actions

• All responders should SIN• Basic initial action• Done at all hazmat incidents

First Operational Thought

• The first operational thought for all responder levels is safety!

First Operational Thought

• First operational thought is safety– Safety starts with first responder on-scene– All must have positive safety attitude

Positive Safety Attitude

• Three techniques to ensure safety– Safe approach– Safe assessment– Key safety guides for all

UpwindUpstream

Upgrade

Safe Approach

Safe Distance

Safe Approach

• Position vehicles away from event…– For quick departure!

• Advise responders of safe route of approach.

Conduct Safe Assessment

• Conduct safe size-up• Or you may have no size-up

Conduct Safe Assessment

• Don’t get close enough for positive ID• Slow down, shut-off A/C, observe area• Position vehicles headed away• Use binoculars to identify/assess

Desired Initial Actions

• Safe Approach• Isolate & deny entry• Make initial Notifications• Establish temporary command

General Safety Precautions

• 10 key Safety Guides/Do’s & Don’ts– In the book...– Which do need to improve on?

OSHA Requirements

• IC must designate a Safety Officer• Safety Officer ensures safety on-scene• Safety Officer enforces and First

Responders observe, safety rules

First Operational Priority

• Isolate & deny entry!

First Operational Priority

• FRAs — usually isolate and deny entry by establishing a “Perimeter”– Use ERG recommendations

First Operational Priority

• Dilemma– Safe distance vs. control

of Perimeter

Perimeters & Control Zones

• Purpose of Perimeters & Control Zones– Ensure safety and isolation– Control the scene– Limit spread of contamination– Allow for safe working area

Perimeters & Control Zones

• Main operational difference– FROs usually set Perimeters– Techs/Specialists set Zones

Control Zones

• Exclusion/Hot Zone• Contamination Reduction/Warm Zone• Support/Cold Zone

Exclusion Zone

Contamination Reduction Zone

Support Zone

Exclusion Exclusion

ZoneZone

Contamination Contamination Reduction Reduction

ZoneZone

Support ZoneSupport Zone

Control Zones

First Operational Priority

• Isolate and deny entry

Perimeter Control Objectives• Control

– Entry Points– Perimeter– Access inside perimeter

Perimeter Control Tactics

• Determine size/extent of perimeter– Per ERG!– Downwind perimeter usually longer

Downwind Perimeter

Perimeter Control Tactics

• Identify all entry points• Control all entry points• Identify and establish

boundaries

Establishing Boundaries

• Unstaffed barricades usually ineffective• Be aware of ignition sources

– Vehicles– Flares

• Use existing barriers

Control Access to Perimeter

• Deny entry to all• Stage responders not assigned• Establish emergency exit procedures• Establish control zones• Watch for wind shifts

Perimeters and Control Zones

• IC is ultimately responsible

First Operational Alert

• Notifications

Types of Notifications

• Mandatory notifications• Resource requests• Report of conditions

RP Notification Requirements• Responsible party must make “Mandatory”

notifications– To proper authorities– Releases with potential adverse impact

• Health• Safety• Environment

Notification Requirements

• Responder — make same notifications as back-up

• RP must make “mandatory” notifications– Possible civil/criminal penalties for

non–notification!

Notification Requirements

• “Mandatory” notifications– Local 911 — Local dispatch– CUPA/Administering Agency — ???– State Warning Center — (800) 852-7550– National Response Center — (800) 424-8802

Other Notifications Required• Pesticides – County Agriculture• Spill in state waters – OES• Highways – CHP• Radiologicals – DHS• Wildlife – DF&G• Prop 65 substances – County

Notifications for Schools

• Notify District Superintendent– Acutely hazardous material release– Within ½ mile of a school

Responsibility for Notifications

• RP makes mandatory notifications• Responders:

– Releases near schools– Prop 65 notification

Information Needed

• Location• Name of person reporting• Substance released

Information Needed

• Nature of problem• Quantity released• Other potential hazards

– (e.g. fire!)

Key Notification Points

• For Federal Agencies– National Response Center– (800) 424-8802 N RC

Key Notification Points

• For State Agencies– State Warning Center– (800) 852-7550

O

E

S

Notification Issues

• May need notification checklist

Rules of Thumb

• Know local resources & request early• Request all response agencies• Know Mutual Aid for area Haz Mat teams,

local industry, state & federal resources• Stage incoming resources

Accessing Resources

• Pre-awareness and contact lists• Develop 24 hour contact points &

notification/contact lists, and• Put them in a “User-friendly” format

Report of Conditions

• What you see• What you need• What you are doing

– (or have done)

3 Sources—Preferred Minimum

NIOSH

CHRIS

DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

• ERG purpose:– Basic safety tool– Basic identification– Initial actions

MSDS as an IDHA Tool

• Answers key questions– What is it?– How can I protect my self?– What will it do to me?

• MSDS often provide toxicological info.

CHEMTREC• CHEMTREC

– Chemical Transportation Emergency Center

• 24 Hour technical information center• One person call (800) 424-9300

Other Reference Guides

• Condensed Chemical Dictionary• CHRIS Manual• NIOSH Pocket Guide• Sax Book

Other Reference Guides

• Farm Chemical Handbook• AAR book• NFPA guide

Other Reference Guides

• Merck Index• Computer databases• Pesticide labels

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Location– (open field vs. downtown)

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Time– (evening or day or hours next to a school)

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Weather– (wind, temperature, rain)

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Size of problem– (5 gallon vs. 500 gallon)

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Stage of incident– (short vs. long

duration release)

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Nature of materials– Semi Bad Stuff or– Bad Stuff or– Really Bad Stuff

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Type, condition & behavior of container

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Responders & equipment

Variables & Modifying Conditions

• Availability & amount of control agents

Predicted Behavior

• Before intervention• Try to predict behavior of release

– What will it do?– Where will it go?– What will it hurt?

Baseline Question

• Before intervention– Outcome of natural stabilization?– Favorable impact intervention will make?

Complications in Hazard Assessment

• Mixed load placard — “Dangerous”• 4-4-4 NFPA 704 marking

Complications in Hazard Assessment

• Multiple Haz Mats or “Mixed Bag” problem– May need chemist or Haz Mat

team to aid in IDHA and action planning

Intelligence vs. Information

• “Intelligence” — information that is:– Verified– Organized– Analyzed – Prioritized and– Useful for valid IDHA

FRA Role

• Won’t develop written plans (usually)• Should have response objectives• Should plan before acting