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Purpose
To outline a protocol and a Line of Authority schematic for response to Hazardous Materials incidents.
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Background
This replaces Policy # 40, dated 1998-11-04.
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Policy Statement
| Response to a Level 2 or 3 HazMat incident requires a very disciplined approach. It is imperative that the first arriving Officer establish command and prepare for incoming equipment and personnel. Therefore, the Incident Commander shall adhere to the following protocol:
1. Establish Command
The 1st arriving Officer shall report directly to the scene and establish command. The Command/HazMat Vehicle shall report directly to the scene and prepare for the command location. The Command location shall be established using the following criteria:
a. wind direction
b. weather conditions
c. time of day/year
d. topography
e. exposures
2. Establish an Outer Perimeter
An outer perimeter shall be established as soon as possible. Distances may be obtained from the 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook or whatever edition of the book is in use at the time, or the situation may dictate that sound judgement and common sense be used. Where feasible, barrier tape should be run around the entire scene.
3. Establish and Announce a Staging Area
Level 2 staging shall be established as soon as possible. All equipment not committed shall report to Level 2 staging and come under control of the Staging Officer. Officers and personnel are to remain with their equipment in staging until called up.
4. Designate a Staging Officer
The IC shall designate a Staging Officer to control the movement and deployment of all equipment in Level 2 staging. Any equipment required at the scene will be requested through the Staging Officer. The IC will determine when equipment will be released from staging. Equipment is to be staged so as not to impede free movement through the staging area. When ambulances arrive at staging, the person in charge of the ambulance shall be briefed by the Staging Officer, on conditions and products involved. When additional RNC vehicles arrive at staging, the OIC is to be briefed by the Staging Officer.
5. Designate a Scribe
All information pertinent to the incident has to be properly logged. Personnel assigned to this duty will log information such as: arrival times, benchmarks and sector designations.
6. Designate a Medical Officer
At least one EMA is to be designated to perform and log the Vital Signs Assessment (VSA) on Entry and Back-up Team Personnel. This person does not have to be a member of the HazMat Team.
7. HazMat Team Structure
The Team Leader will be responsible for research and determining the appropriate level of protection to use. The HazMat Officer may assume this position when he arrives on the scene. The HazMat Team Leader will allocate duties to team members and he will advise the IC as to what support functions will be required. The IC shall designate personnel to serve in these roles.
HazMat Team Leader
Entry Team
At least two (2) members of the HazMat Team.
Back-up Team
At least two (2) members of the HazMat Team.
Decon Team
Two (2) members of the HazMat Team. If two (2) members are not available, one (1) HazMat Team member shall act as the Decon Officer and supervise two (2) untrained personnel.
Safety Officer
Member of the HazMat Team.
Note:
Support personnel are an integral part of an efficient response to a HazMat incident. Getting the various pieces of equipment laid out and set up as quickly as possible is imperative. This task is very labour intensive. Therefore, at least six (6) support personnel must be made available to the hazard sector to help perform these functions.
If the need arises then extra personnel must be called to the scene.
Some functions that support personnel will be required to perform are:
a. Setting up decontamination equipment - directed by the Decon Officer
b. Performing decontamination - directed by the Decon Officer
c. Establishing outer perimeters
d. Establishing and maintaining an adequate water supply
e. Establishing an adequate supply of foam and equipment
f. Establishing a REHAB area and maintaining supplies
g. Maintaining a supply of air cylinders - Equipment Technician
NOTE:
All Operational Guidelines are provided as a guideline only and may be altered by the OIC to meet extenuating circumstances. |
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Approvals
Formerly Policy # 40
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Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department
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Appendix/Appendices
Scene Management Schematic
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