Term
| Describe a firefighter’s role in a hazardous materials incident at the Awareness Level. |
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Definition
•Definitions of awareness, operations, and technician level
•National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472
•Ontario Firefighter Standards
•Definition of a hazardous material
•Analyze the incident
•Detect the presence of various hazmat materials
•Collect hazard information
•Initiate protective actions
•Initiate notification to appropriate agencies |
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Term
| Describe how a firefighter can recognize various environmental hazards. |
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Definition
•Use of senses (smell, vision)
•Communication with witnesses
•Communication with carriers and dispatchers
•Signs, labels and placards
•DOT Emergency Response Guidebook |
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Term
| Describe the safety factors and precautions a firefighter would take at a hazardous materials incident. |
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Definition
•Recognition of hazmat incident
•Use of Canutec
•Approaching from upwind, uphill
•Maintaining crowd control, traffic
control
•Establishing a safe working area/zone
•Wearing personal protective clothing
•Perform initial evacuation procedures
•Importance of decontamination
•Environmental factors
•Identify products involved
•Assist in self-rescue |
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Term
| Describe the actions a firefighter would take at the hazardous materials incident at an awareness level. |
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Definition
•Components of incident management at a hazardous materials incident
•Initiate notification process
•Role of the firefighter in the application of a local emergency plan
•Analyze the incident
•Survey materials
•Collect information
•Initiate protective actions |
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Term
| Describe the procedures for conducting a scene survey at a hazardous materials incident |
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Definition
•Environmental factors
•Topographical factors
•Exposures – population, property, roads and highways/rail |
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Term
| Describe the procedures for size-up and securing a hazardous materials scene. |
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Definition
•Pre-Plan information
•Visual information and signs
•Reconnaissance information
•Caller information
•Establishing a perimeter
•Control zone
•Notifying businesses that may be affected i.e.: railway, marine
•Traffic and crowd control |
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Term
| Describe and identify basic types of hazardous materials containers/packages. |
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Definition
•Various packages for small quantities
•Compressed gas cylinders and tank cars
•Railway and road acid
tankers/trailers
•Fixed facility tanks by types
•Non-pressurized liquid containers
•Cryogenic
•Modular
•Radioactive |
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Term
| Describe the procedures and methods of identifying the presence and types of dangerous goods and hazardous materials by obtaining and utilizing appropriate resources. |
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Definition
•National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labelling system (NFPA Standard 704)
•Placards
•Labelling
•Containers
•Occupancy
•Shipping documents
•Classification of hazardous materials
•MSDS (Material safety data sheets)
•Canutec
•Emergency Response Guidebook
•Human resources – such as workers, supervisors, shippers
•Visual, audible and odours
•Colours of material
•Pipeline markings
•Pesticide labels
•Physical symptoms of exposed victims |
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Term
| Describe factors that will indicate if specialized assistance is required. |
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Definition
•Expert advice
•Volume of product
•Release or spill of hazardous materials
•Breach and release of content etc.
•Fire involved
•Rescue involved
•According to departmental guidelines and training
•Extent/level of hazardous material incident
•Weather (rain, wind) |
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Term
| Describe the roles and responsibilities that supporting agencies play in a hazardous materials incident. |
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Definition
•Importance of Incident Command System
•Procedures to request additional resources such as Ministry of the Environment/Armed Forces
•Local police
•Supply technical expertise
•Supply equipment such as air/water monitoring
•Supply personnel resources
•Cleanup
•Supply medical assistance
•Traffic control/evaluation
•Crowd control
•Investigation
•Security
•Emergency Medical Systems |
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Term
| Describe various methods for monitoring environmental hazards. |
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Definition
•Sounds
•Odours
•Observation
•Air/water monitoring equipment
•Fixed air monitoring stations
•Litmus paper or similar tools
•Radiation detection devices
•Specialized gas detection devices |
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Term
| Describe methods to communicate with victim(s) for self-rescue purposes. |
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Definition
•Verbal
•Hand signals
•Signage
•Loud hailer
•Intercom
•Aerial banner/signage
•Radio if victim(s) equipped |
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Term
| Describe the impact of environmental hazards on firefighters and the community. |
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Definition
•Municipal water sources
•Ecologically sensitive areas
•Acute and chronic effects on firefighters/citizens as a result of exposure(s) (health, chronic disease, emotional trauma)
•Consideration for those with illness and the elderly
•In shelter vs. evacuation
•Effect on animals/birds/people
•Economy/disruption of services |
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Term
| Describe the difference between a chemical and a biological incident. |
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Definition
Chemical:
•Substances, gaseous, liquid or solid
•Mixed or alone
•Toxic or corrosive effects
Biological:
•Bacteria or viruses (pathogens)
•Examples of bacteria-cholera, anthrax
•Example of virus- Ebola |
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Term
| Identify indicators of possible criminal activity involving a chemical, biological or radiological agent. |
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Definition
•High profile target
•Easy Public access
•Little or no warning
•Accidental release unlikely
•Secondary explosive device discovered |
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