HAZMAT Overview

Question 1

Define a Hazardous Material

Answer 1

As defined by DOT. Is a material that poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of operating emergency personnel, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging, use and disposal, or transportation.

Question 2

NFPA 472

Answer 2

Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

Question 3

NFPA 1001

Answer 3

Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications

Question 4

Hazardous Material

Answer 4

“Working Definition” any substance that stores potentially harmful energy when not contained in its intended container

Question 5

Regulations are issued and enforced by

Answer 5

OSHA & EPA

Question 6

Standards are issued by nongovernmental entities like

Answer 6

NFPA

Question 7

NFPA 471

Answer 7

Recommended practice for responding to hazardous materials incidents

Question 8

NFPA 472

Answer 8

Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

Question 9

NFPA 473

Answer 9

Standard for competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents

Question 10

NFPA levels of training are

Answer 10

awareness, operations, technician and specialist

Question 11

HAZWOPER

Answer 11

Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response. The federal document containing the hazardous materials response competencies. They can be found in 29 CFR 1910.120 – Fire departments are primarily concerned with subsection (q) Emergency Response

Question 12

Awareness Level

Answer 12

Provides training that gives personal the ability to recognize a potential HM emergency, to isolate the area and to call for assistance; awareness level responders take protective actions

Question 13

Operations Level

Answer 13

the operations level responder shall be that person who responds to HM/WMD incidents for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, the environment, or property from the effects of the release. Fire fighters in modern society are annually trained to the operations level because they should be able to recognize potential hazardous materials incidents, isolate and deny entry to other responders and the public, evacuate persons in danger, and take defensive action as such as shutting off valves and protecting drains without having contact with the product

Question 14

Technician Level

Answer 14

at this level, fire fighters are trained to enter heavily contaminated areas using the highest levels of personal protection. HM techs take offensive actions

Question 15

Specialist Level

Answer 15

this level receives more specialized training than a HM Tech. practically technically speaking the two levels are not very different. The majority of the specialized training relates to a specific product such as chlorine or to a specific mode of transportations such as rail emergencies

Question 16

HM Officer

Answer 16

this level of training is intended for those assuming command of a HM incident beyond the Ops level

Question 17

SARA

Answer 17

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, was one of the first laws to affect how fire departments respond in a HM emergency

Question 18

Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act

Answer 18

requires business that handles chemicals to report storage type, quantity, and storage methods to the fire department and the local emergency planning committee

Question 19

LEPCs

Answer 19

Local emergency planning committees, gather and disseminate to the public information about HM

Question 20

MSDSs

Answer 20

material safety datasheets are a detailed profile of a single chemical or mixture of chemicals provided by the manufacturer and/or supplier of a chemical

Question 21

SERC

Answer 21

State Emergency Response Commission, the SERC is a liaison between local and state levels of authority. Collection and dissemination of information relating to HM. SERC & LEPC often work closely to help a community prepare to deal w/ HM incidents

Question 22

A critical distinction must be made between a HM event and other emergencies. Fire fighters cannot approach a HM incident w/ the same mindset used for a structure fire. Ask yourself these questions

Answer 22

o Is the material toxic or corrosive?
o What is the chemical name of the material involved?
o How will it respond when exposed to air, water, or other materials?
• (Remember that HM response is much like fire suppression)

Question 23

Target Hazards

Answer 23

Any occupancy type or facility that presents a high potential for loss of life or serious impact to the community resulting from fire, explosion, or chemical release

Question 24

1 priority at a HM incident

Answer 24

Personal Safety (life safety) is

Question 25

A HM is a material that

Answer 25

poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of operating emergency personnel, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging use and disposal, or transportation potential release of energy that will put life at risk is the main concern with HMs

Question 26

A Hazardous waste is

Answer 26

a substance that remains after a process or manufacturing plant has used some of the material so that it is no longer pure

Question 27

The actions taken at HM incidents are largely dictated by

Answer 27

the chemicals involved

Question 28

The goal of the competencies at the awareness level shall be

Answer 28

to recognize a potential HM emergency, isolate the area, and call for assistance. Awareness level trained personal take protective actions

Question 29

Fire fighters at the operations level are able to recognize

Answer 29

a potential HM incident, isolate and deny entry to other responders and the public, and take defensive actions such as shutting off valves and protecting drains w/o having contact with the product. Operations level responders act in a defensive fashion

Question 30

Defensive actions may include

Answer 30

protecting drains from the flow of the product, closing remote valves, evacuating civilians from affected areas or sheltering them in place, or isolating the area and calling a specialized HM team or HM clean-up contractor

Question 31

HM techs are trained to

Answer 31

enter heavily contaminated areas using the highest levels of chemical protection. HM techs take offensive actions