USFA Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders

Objectives

This online book is the result of an extensive study of available hazardous materials response resources for first responders. The study concluded that, while several excellent and technically accurate resources are available, none are directed to the specific needs of the first responder trained at the Awareness or Operational Levels of Training; the training levels of most first responders. It is the hope and the intent of the USFA that this book will be that much needed resource. This online book provides important information for the initial response to both transportation and fixed facility incidents. It has been designed to present the first responder with a maximum amount of useful key information in a limited amount of space. As with any reference, it cannot include all information that might be useful or discuss all situations which might occur; nor can it replace the training and experience of individual responders. The information contained in this book has been reviewed by several sources and is as technically accurate as possible. For major incidents it will be necessary to obtain more detailed information from other resources as well as more advanced expertise from those with more extensive training. It is assumed that those using this book will have had some training in hazardous materials response. Because most first responders are trained at the Awareness or Operational levels, this book is directed at appropriate responses for these levels of training.

This book is the result of an extensive study of available hazardous materials response resources for first responders undertaken by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) as part of the Firefighters' Safety Study Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-446). The study concluded that, while several excellent and technically accurate resources are available, none are directed to the specific needs of the first responder trained at the Awareness or Operational Levels of Training; the training levels of most first responders. It is the hope and the intent of the USFA that this book will be that much needed resource.

This book provides important information for the initial response to both transportation and fixed facility incidents. It has been designed to present the first responder with a maximum amount of useful key information in a limited amount of space. As with any reference, it cannot include all information that might be useful or discuss all situations which might occur; nor can it replace the training and experience of individual responders. The information contained in this book has been reviewed by several sources and is as technically accurate as possible. For major incidents it will be necessary to obtain more detailed information from other resources as well as more advanced expertise from those with more extensive training.

It is assumed that those using this book will have had some training in hazardous materials response. Because most first responders are trained at the Awareness or Operational levels, this book is directed at appropriate responses for these levels of training. These levels are defined below as published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 472, 1992) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 1910.120).
 

OSHA 1910.120

FIRST RESPONDER AT AWARENESS LEVEL: First responders at the Awareness Level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the authorities of the release. First responders at the Awareness Level shall have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas:

1. An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and the risks associated with them in an incident.
2. An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous substances are present.
3. The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency.
4. The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if possible.
5. An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness individual in the employers emergency response plan including site security and control and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook.
6. The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and to make appropriate notifications to the communication center.

FIRST RESPONDER OPERATIONS LEVEL: First responders at the Operations Level part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures. First responders at the Operations Level shall have received at least eight hours of training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas in addition to those listed for the Awareness Level and the employer shall so certify:

1. Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques.
2. Know how to select and use proper personal protective equipment provided to the first responder operational level.
3. An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms.
4. Know how to perform basic control, containment, and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available with their unit.
5. Know how to implement basic decontamination procedures.
6. An understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures and termination procedures.