chapter 15

Chapter 15

The ISO at Hazmat Incidents

Objectives

• List the federal regulations that may have an impact on ISO functions at hazmat incidents

• Define the reporting structure for an ASO-HM at a hazmat tech-level incident

• Define the two overriding risks that the ISO must evaluate at hazmat incidents

Objectives (con’t.)

• List the four control zones that need to be established at tech-level hazmat incidents

• List the three hazmat rehab components that require close evaluation

• List the ten federal-level components of a hazmat response site safety plan and five hazmat ancillary plans that may require ISO-signoff

Objectives (con’t.)

• List five or more alarming hazards at a clandestine drug lab incident

• List and describe the three strategic goals for the safety section at a WMD/terrorist incident

Introduction• Hazmat incidents: most regulated of all

incidents to which fire departments respond– ISO assignment at a hazmat technician-level

incident is mandatory– ISO should be aware of CFRs regarding

hazmat incidents– If ISO does not have required technician

competencies (NFPA 472), an ASO-HM should be appointed

Introduction (con’t.)

• Assistant safety office-hazmat (ASO-HM)– Meets or exceeds NFPA 472 requirements for

Hazardous Materials Technician– Trained in ISO responsibilities as they relate to

hazmat response– Fulfills safety functions for technician-level

components of incident– Works with ISO, hazmat directors, technical

specialists, and industry representatives

Figure 15-1 The ASO-HM may actually be working with three or more persons.

ISO General Duties at the Hazmat Incident

• Be familiar with NFPA 471: Recommended Practices for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Ensure initial zone and isolation efforts are in place upon arrival and assignment

• Take a strategic approach– Interface with other command staff members– Maintain position at command post

Monitoring Issues at Hazmat Incidents

• Risk– Liability: is hazmat team entry warranted?– Risk communication: established risk

guidelines

• Operational effectiveness– Rely on ASO-HM to evaluate technician

operations– Other ASOs evaluate support activities– Preplan action plan prior to operations

Personal Safety System Issues at Hazmat Incidents

• Accountability systems– Two systems: hazmat team and support

responders– Encourage cross-communication– ISO deals with strategic accountability– ASOs deal with tactical accountability

Personal Safety System Issues Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Control zones– IDLH zone– No-entry zone (including collapse zone)– Support zone– Contamination reduction zone

• Decontamination takes place• Safe refuge area for contaminated persons who

have left the IDLH zone

Figure 15-3 Simple diagrams can help responders understand zone areas and travel paths.

Personal Safety System Issues Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Control zones (con’t.)– Use simple diagrams that include travel

pathways and gateways between zones– ASO-HMs should verify appropriate level of

PPE in each zone– Personnel moving from one zone to another

should follow prescribed pathway– Check personnel before leaving contamination

zone

Personal Safety System Issues Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Radio Transmissions– Multiple radio types and frequencies– Backup communication systems

• Hand signals• Message boards• Tag-line signals• Spontaneous system on-scene for specific needs

Personal Safety System Issues Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Rehab– Medical monitoring

• Establish baseline before technician stabilization efforts

– Sanitation needs• Best hazard mitigation approach is separation

– Food service• Distance from working areas• Cleanliness (further decon)

Defining Other Needs at Hazmat Incidents

• Traffic– Roadway, railway, air, and waterway: basic

approach to traffic issues is to get rid of them– For people, define:

• Specific shuttle pathways• Escape zones• Zone transition gateways

Defining Other Needs at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Need for ISO assistance• ASO-HM• One or more ASOs• Technical specialists• Corporate risk managers• Process experts• Public health representatives• Department HSO or infection control officer

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents

• Risk evaluation at the hazmat incident– ISO and ASO-HM must strive to agree on

overall risk profile– ISO may need to communicate an acceptable

risk profile to nonfire service personnel– Pace: slow, methodical, and intellectual

approach

Figure 15-4 A slow, methodical, and intellectual approach is the best pace for hazmat incidents.

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Recon evaluation at the hazmat incident– Confirm initial zoning and isolation upon arrival

and assignment– Verify that defined zones and gateways are

appropriate– ASO-HM should consult a technical reference

specialist as necessary

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Recon evaluation (con’t.)– Define the principal hazard

• Dictated by the chemical involved

– Define environmental integrity• Weather, infrastructure stability, container condition,

hazardous energy

– Define physical surroundings• Location defines impact of surroundings

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Recon evaluation (con’t.)– Crew exposure to hazards

• Physical hazards +- Chemical properties + Crew mitigation efforts = Crew hazard exposure

• ASO-HM in best position to evaluate tools, teams, and rapid withdrawal factors

• Rapid intervention is far from rapid at hazmat incidents: ensure clear direction for activation

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Resource evaluation at the hazmat incident– Time

• On-scene time may not be practical: manage impacts of time passage

• Reflex time for any unplanned event is delayed

– Personnel• Determine adequate training for task

– Equipment• May need on-the-spot training for specialized

equipment

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Report issues at the hazmat incident– Tech-level stabilization effort requires formal

delivery and development of• Written site safety plan• Safety briefings

– 15-minute rule for face-to-face communication is impractical

• Keep unit log for documentation• Hazmat documentation not subject to statute of

limitations

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Report issues (con’t.)– Federal requirements for site safety plan

include:• Safety, health, and hazard risk analysis• Site organization• Identification of PPE type required for task• Medical monitoring procedures• Environmental monitoring and sampling procedures• Site control measures

Applying the ISO Action Model at Hazmat Incidents (con’t.)

• Report issues (con’t.)– Federal requirements for site safety plan

(con’t):• Decontamination procedures• Predefined responder emergency plans• Confined space entry and escape procedures• Spill containment and handling procedures

– ISO/ASO-HM may also have to sign off on numerous other hazmat incident plans

Unique Considerations at the Hazmat Incident

• Clandestine drug labs– Hazards

• Poor ventilation• Flammable/toxic atmospheres• Incompatible chemicals• Chemical reactions in progress• Unidentified chemicals and/or containers• Unstable and/or leaking containers• Booby traps

Unique Considerations at the Hazmat Incident (con’t.)

• Weapons of mass destruction– Develop local WMD plan that addresses ISO

functions until IMT takes over – ISO initially coordinates:

• Quick in/quick out approach for immediate rescues• Adopt a back off posture after rescue• Isolation of victims and exposed firefighters• Staging out of sight as much as possible

Unique Considerations at the Hazmat Incident (con’t.)

• Weapons of mass destruction (con’t.)– Strategic goals of ISO and ASOs

• Gather RECON and threat information• Analyze options: lean towards the worst case• Develop a safety action plan across organizational

boundaries• Expand role into manageable parts• Address health and safety issues prior to IMT arrival

Figure 15-5 Expanding the ISO function into units can help at WMD incidents. ISO units are not currently NIMS compliant.

Summary

• Hazardous materials incidents require specialized training– ISO oversees and addresses general duties– ASO-HM focuses on technician-level issues

• Issues at hazmat incidents– Proper training– Communication to nonfire service responders– Control zones: contamination reduction zone

Summary (con’t.)• Issues at hazmat incidents (con’t.)

– Medical evaluation before operations– Separation of sanitation and food areas

• ISO action model at hazmat incidents– Reporting is a significant effort: federally

mandated site safety plan

• Unique hazmat considerations– Clandestine labs– WMD incidents