a.
ASSESSMENT: Assess the specific hazard, using binoculars.
Determine whether any DOT warning placards are displayed and the
extent of spillage or the rate of leakage of cargo. By
law*, the Incident Command Officer shall identify all hazardous
substances to the extent possible as conditions permit.
(1) Consult the DOT EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK and, if necessary, request
information from the CHEMTREX
hotline (800)424-9300.
(2) Implement appropriate
emergency operations based on the hazardous substances or
conditions. Advise responding companies of conditions and locate
incoming apparatus to best advantage. Proceed deliberately and only
after due consideration at each step.
(3) By
law*, the Incident Command Officer shall ensure that the proper
level of personnel protective equipment is being worn for the
identified hazards, including donning and using positive-pressure
SCBA.
b.
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: The Incident Command Officer shall advise all
appropriate government agencies.
(1) Advise KBT-809 CLOSTER COMMUNICATIONS and
request dispatch of the HAZ-MAT UNIT assigned to the area.
(2) Advise the BERGEN COUNTY POLICE of the actual
or potential HAZ-MAT situation.
(3)
Request NORTHVALE AMBULANCE
CORPS to respond and establish a medical sector. By
law*, qualified basic life-support medical providers must be on the
scene with medical equipment and transportation.
(4) Advise the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP).
(5) Advise the ROCKLEIGH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR. and, if necessary, request
implementation of the BOROUGH
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS PLAN.
c. MITIGATION: Isolate
and cordon-off the hazard site.
(1) Establish one entry/exit
point to the hazard
site and designate an Access Control Officer to monitor access to
the hazard site.
(2) Establish a decontamination
area at the exit/entry point to the hazard site.
(3) Decontamination areas must
be located to minimize possible exposure to uncontaminated equipment
and personnel.
d. INITIATE EVACUATIONS
(1) Evacuate
individuals from areas adjacent to the
hazard site.
(2)
Evacuate individuals from the hazard site, if practical and within the
limits of safety to emergency-response personnel. Evacuation must be
through the decontamination area.
f.
OPERATIONS: Take
appropriate actions to contain the incident, if practical and within
the limits of safety to personnel.
(1) By
law* the Incident Command Officer and/or the Access Control Officer
shall ensure that the number of on-site emergency response personnel
is strictly limited to those required to perform necessary tasks.
(2) By
law*, on-site personnel must operate in teams, observing a strict
"buddy system" whereby each member is designated to
observe the activities of the other member.
(3) By
law*, each on-site emergency team must have a back-up team standing
by in full protective clothing and with the necessary equipment to
provide immediate assistance or rescue.
g.
SAFETY: By law*, the Incident Command
Officer must designate a SAFETY OFFICER who is knowledgeable about
firefighting and rescue operations as well as hazardous substance
handling procedures.
(1)
By law*, the Safety Officer is responsible for identifying and
evaluating hazardous substances and providing direction during the
emergency.
(2) By
law*, when activities are judged by the Safety Officer to be unsafe
and/or to involve and imminent danger condition, the Safety Officer
shall have the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate those
activities. The Safety Officer shall immediately inform the Incident
Command Officer of any actions taken to correct a safety condition
at the emergency scene.
h.
DECONTAMINATION: By law*, the Incident Command
Officer must ensure that all decontamination procedures comply with
OSHA regulations.
(1) Personnel entering
contaminated areas must be decontaminated.
(2) Protective clothing and
equipment must be decontaminate and cleaned or discarded and
replaced as necessary.
(3) Care must be taken to
ensure that personnel in personal protective clothing do not come
into contact with the outer portions of the clothing before being
completely decontaminated.
(4) Solvents used in the
decontamination process must be disposed of properly.
(5) On-site personnel who
breathed contaminated air or whose skin became exposed to
contaminants should be taken to a hospital
after decontamination.
