Recognition

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Permalink Reply by Shauna Baccus on July 21, 2009 at 3:31pm

Should start with the call initially...what are the dispatchers telling you, then it goes from there really. With us first in Engine to a Hazmat incident secures the area(sets a perimeter), gathers information as to location, who or what is involved. Evacuates non essential persons and waits for the Hazmat team to show up. First in Engines have a blue Hazmat bag that gives them direction for at least the first 5 min of the call.

With any Hazmat call, it is the First in Engine, Hazmat(Primary), Hazmat Equipment trailer(Secondary), and the Decon trailer that are dispatched. Most of the Department is trained to an Ops level so they have an idea of what the Hazmat team is looking for in the beginning. Then we are responding the whole upwind/uphill/upstream and calling for additional resources if the scene dictates it.

With everything that we have running through this city via truck/train (we have a rail line that goes directly through the downtown and through residential) Peroxides/Sulphuric Acids/Anhydrous/Molten Sulphur(by rail and truck) the usual diesels/gas/O2 truck and ever industrial gas they can transport. Explosives,yellow cake, bio hazards,ammunitions because we have a military base near by.... we are just waiting for the day when something really bad happens. We have had a few close calls but it is just a matter of when I believe.

Know what runs through the city you live in...that would be a good start.

Just my two cents

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Permalink Reply by Todd McKee on July 22, 2009 at 9:44pm

Some of the keys elements that I suggest to be recognized.
1) Recognize there is a spill
2) Recognize Safety Hazards
3) Recognize Threats to People, Property, and the Environment
4) Recognize Weather
5) Recognize Terrain
6) Recognize What can be done Right Now

These are just a few that can be done in seconds upon arrival to the scene
Any other thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Jetty Middelkoop on July 27, 2009 at 1:52am

The first thing every incident starts with, is an alarm call. And that is where things can start going wrong. The call not giving you any hint to a hazmat incident. And then when you come to the spot, you are confronted with something unexpected. That is why the job of the people in the alarm center receiving the first calls is crucial: do then manage to get the necessary info out?

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