Chemical Exposure – Working With Local Facilities

Communities all over the state have some kind of fixed hazardous materials (HazMat) facilities.  These can take the form of large industrial complexes to smaller manufacturing sites to retail supply stores.  Not only must you know where these facilities are located, you must also know what’s inside the facility, and possible dangers, and know what measures the facilities have in place to deal with any possible HazMat incident.  Knowing about these facilities, inside and out, will help limit the Chemical Exposures your team will face on the job.  Additionally, you’ll ensure that each facility has measures in place to protect staff and citizens who might be affected by an incident.

Responding to Hazardous Materials at Fixed Facilities

Details from Fire Engineering

Pre-Incident

• Perform emergency planning and hazard assessments and site safety plans, including a site visit.
• Review of information from the facility about all present materials and their possible health and physical risks. 
• Document what you learn and have available for quick reference. 
• Review air monitoring plans. 
• Determine scenarios for possible effects of natural disasters or man made incidents.

• Plan emergency release notification.
• Plan how the facility will notify you when there is an “accidental release” if it affects those outside the facility.

At the Incident

• Perform on-site hazard assessments.
• Always assume any incident at a fixed facility will involve hazardous materials.
•  Consult reference materials and learn about the previously identified materials or any HazMat placards that might be visible. (Make sure your team is well versed on how to use NFPA 704 to read the placards, but keep in mind that these are not required at fixed facilities.)

• Ensure first responder, employee, and witness safety at fixed facility incidents.
• Maintain a safe distance from the facility until reference documents for the facility are reviewed and all possible materials are identified. 
• Request any staff and nearby citizens retreat immediately, if necessary. 
• Request control of any known mechanism that can stop the release of the hazardous materials. Use them only if accessing them is safe.

• Utilize resources from fixed facilities.
• Use any neutralization agents the facility might have available.
• Locate facility experts to get more information.
• Get the facility’s on-site HazMat response teams to assist in any way possible.

Read More

• Situational Awareness: The First Line of Defense - Fire Engineering 
• Tactical Considerations for Hazmat Facilities | Firehouse.com

TCFP Library Audio-Visual Resources

• RESPONDING TO HAZARDOUS-MATERIALS INCIDENTS AT FIXED FACILITIES 
• HAZMAT INCIDENT MANAGEMENT STEP 3: HAZARD & RISK EVALUATION 
• RADIOLOGICAL MONITORING, PART 4: MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
• RESPONDING TO ETHANOL INCIDENTS & ETHANOL FIXED FACILITIES ASSESSMENT   
• CHLORINE EMERGENCIES: AN OVERVIEW FOR FIRST RESPONDERS 

Is your department familiar with all the fixed facilities, and their risks, in your area?