Safe Operations at Haz Mat Emergencies

This is the third of a five part series on safety actions that can be taken at different incidents.

This week I will discuss Haz Mat Emergencies.

Please feel free to make this page information into an actual checksheet you can use on the fireground. Train all members what you expect and everyone will be involved in the safety process.

This is not a tactical worksheet to be used by an incident commander, but a secondary sheet to be used by a safety person after the fact.

The order of the activities can be adjusted or enhanced for your own departmental needs.

Haz Mat Emergencies

Establish staging area and operating area.

( Hot zone warm zone and cold zone)

Determine wind direction.

Establish on scene accountability.

Isolate and deny entry.

Identify and cross reference the material in a minimum of 3 references or sources

If crews will operate establish a decontamination area and procedure.

Establish an EMS presence on scene for operational crews.

Establish a REHAB area for operating crews.

Establish refreshments and re-hydration capabilities.

Determine if there is adequate qualified manpower to support current operations.

Determine if there is technical support / expertise on site for current operations.

Review, Monitor, recheck, evaluate current conditions.

Determine the level of personal protection required and or available.

Continuously monitor local weather conditions.

 Conduct an accountability check at any and all points of these steps as necessary.