OVERVIEW
This guide provides a basic philosophy and strategic plan for hazardous materials situations. All New Hackensack Fire Company Standard Operating Guides, unless superseded by a specific part of this guide, remain in effect for Hazardous Materials Incidents.

Hazardous Materials incidents encompass a wide variety of potential situations including fires, spills, transportation accidents, chemical reactions, explosions and similar events. Hazards involved may include toxicity, flammability, radiological exposure, corrosives, explosives, health and chemical reactions or a combination of factors. This plan provides a general framework for handling a hazardous materials incident, but does not address the specific tactics or control measures for particular incidents.

SAFETY
The safety and well being of all NKFD personnel will be first and foremost at any Hazardous Materials incident. The Incident Command System will be utilized and a scene Safety Officer will be appointed. The New Hackensack Fire Company does not support HAZMAT mitigation at the Operations level. NKFD is trained to the initial response level only and therefore will operate within the parameters of their training. Should the situation require advanced operations, the Dutchess County HAZMAT Team will be requested to the scene by the Incident Commander.

The use of full protective clothing and SCBA and the use of all Standard Operating Guides on a continuing basis are foundational for this plan.

RESPONSE

 The apparatus response will be 52-55 and 52-12 on a code 3 response, and 52-31 will respond code 1.

SCENE ARRIVAL
The first arriving unit will establish Command and begin a size-up. The first arriving unit could be a Chief or first responding apparatus and must avoid committing itself to a dangerous situation. Command location will be set up based on wind direction, topography and location of the situation.

SIZE-UP
The objective of the size-up is to identify the nature and severity of the immediate problem and to formulate a valid action plan. Command must make a careful size-up before making a commitment. Command must determine if the incident is within NKFD’s abilities and commence with mitigation. After size-up, if it is determined that the incident is beyond our capabilities, we will operate up to our training level and Command will notify Dutchess 911 to dispatch the County HAZMAT Team to the scene.

ACTION PLAN
Based on the initial size-up and any available information, Command will develop an action plan to mitigate the situation.

The Action Plan must provide for:
 Safety of all fire personnel
 Identification of material
 Determination of hot, warm and cold zones, if necessary
 Evacuation of endangered area, if necessary
 Control of the situation
 Need for County HAZMAT Team
 Obtain wind speed, direction and temperature
 Department of Environmental Conservation notification, if necessary
 Requisitioning of a spill number, if necessary

RESPONSE TO HAZMAT INCIDENTS

   RESPONSE TO FIXED SITE INCIDENTS

            ·SAFETY OF THE RESPONDING FIREFIGHTERS IS TO BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANY ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN.

            · Establish Command and Incident Safety Officer

            · Apparatus should stage UP HILL AND UPWIND at a safe distance from the incident.
 

            · Command will gather the following information:

                o Locate the person who requested the fire department and verify the reason for requesting assistance.
                o Attempt to determine chemicals involved.
                o Obtain all available information on the health hazards of the chemicals involved.
                o Determine quantity of chemicals involved.
                o Gather all available information on the physical and chemical properties of the chemicals involved.
                o Use DOT Manual, NIOSH Guide, MSDS’s, or any other available means to determine chemical characteristics.

            · Based on the information available, determine if NKFD is capable of mitigating the situation.

            · Request the HAZMAT Team if necessary.

            · Determine if evacuation is necessary.

    TRANSPORTATION INCIDENTS

            · Establish Command, Incident Safety Officer and gather information.

            · Attempt to locate the driver and determine chemicals on board. Ascertain the availability of shipping papers.

            · Observe the vehicle from a safe distance noting vehicle type and construction.

            · Look for placards or labels on the vehicle.

            · Attempt to determine if product has leaked out.

            · Determine if there is a danger to waterways, storm sewers or domestic systems.

            · Note climate conditions and direction of vapor plume if present.

            · Attempt to obtain Bill of Lading, if it is safe to do so.

            · If vehicle is involved in fire and has liquid or vapor products burning use sound firefighting tactics to determine whether to extinguish the fire or let it continue to burn.

    ROADWAY SPILLS

For small quantity spills on the highways, absorbent will be used to remove any spilled product. If the roadway is still deemed to be unsafe, the town highway garage should be called to spread sand.