emergency response & rescue planning by mr. g. s. saini director, national civil defence college

Emergency Response & Rescue Planning

byMr. G. S. Saini

Director, National Civil Defence College

Scenario #1

• You are a Safety officer of your Plant.• You receive a call from a worker reporting a

person down, clutching his throat and coughing.

• Upon arrival at the scene you notice several people in the immediate vicinity also down– Some are clutching their chests and some are

coughing heavily.

Scenario #1 Questions

• What is happening?

• Is this a normal reaction for a heart attack?

• Is it likely that five people have had heart attacks at the same time and place?

Scenario #2

• Now people are staggering away from the scene

• All are complaining of blurred vision & red teary eyes.


• What might we be dealing with?

• Are we dealing with something other than a heart attack?

• Could this be caused by something in the atmosphere?

Scenario #3

• People are starting to run from the scene.

• Some people have lost consciousness.


• What could account for all these symptoms?

• What would you look for as the cause?

Observations of Incident

• There is no debris, which might indicate a blast

• No smoke or fire is apparent

• There are multiple casualties, without the presence of trauma

• It was a sudden onset

Operational Clues

• Clues that indicate a chemical incident– Symptoms exhibited in multiple casualties that are

normally seen in a single person.– Multiple casualties for no apparent reason – Multiple casualties without trauma – Escalating number of victims– Escalating symptoms of the victims

Solution

• Observations indicate a toxic chemical agent has caused the incident

• Symptoms indicate victims have likely been exposed to a choking agent-

CHLORINE

What is the Next Move?

• Call in support based on– Increasing number of victims– Responder hazard (first response was for a

unknown factor, now there is a chemical hazard)

– Need for additional equipment• Protect yourself• Treat the victims

What is a Hazard ?

Hazard

“Any substance/operation that poses an unreasonable risk to life, property or the

environment.”

• Hazardous Material– “Any substance that poses an unreasonable risk

to life, the environment, or property when not properly contained.”

How to Identify ?

Hazardous materials pose many problems. One of the obvious problems

is determining what constitutes a hazardous materials incident. Many

agencies are involved with the handling, use, and the problems associated with

hazardous materials. Each of these agencies has identified hazardous

materials as it relates to their realm of service.

Definition

• OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (NIOSH) views a hazardous material from the standpoint of potential hazard. They rate conditions that may

cause injury or death as they are found in the working environment, whether they are

obvious or not.

Problems

• The problems encountered at a hazardous materials incident are many. The primary threats involve injury to the emergency worker and harm to the community.

• Without emergency personnel, the situation cannot be handled in a safe or timely manner. When dealing with this type of incident, personal safety should always be the primary concern

Hazardous Chemical Incident

• Methylisocyanate (MIC) incident at Bhopal, India

• 3,300 people killed immediately; 16,000 after ten years

• 40 tons of MIC released that covered 20 Km2

• Over 500,000 people suffered effects of gas

• Ground water hazard for ten years

Hazardous Chemicals

Physical Hazards• Explosives• Compressed gases• Flammable and

combustible liquids• Flammable solids• Oxidizers• Poisons• Radioactive• Corrosives

Health Hazards• Asphyxiant• Carcinogen• Irritant• Corrosive• Sensitizer• Toxic Agent

Any chemical (solid, liquid, gas) that can cause harm to people and their surroundings

Effects of Hazardous Chemicals

• Any substance that can result in harmful effects– Immediate (acute)– Delayed (minutes or

hours)– Long Term (chronic)– Temporary effects– Permanent effects

Intensity of Effects

• Varies by– Type of chemical– Exposure (time X amount)– Physical health– Age– Weather (wind, temperature,

rain)

Symptoms

• Coughing

• Constricted pupils, red teary eyes

• Bleeding or hemorrhaging

• Strong or unusual smell

• Strange behavior

• Convulsions

• Unconsciousness

Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing• Blurred vision• Runny eyes and nose• Slurred speech, disorientation• Skin irritation• Nausea• Sudden headache• Weakness

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical

attention immediately

Safety Considerations for

Emergency Response & Rescue

• Negative attitudes promote:– Carelessness– Recklessness– Overconfidence

• Positive safety attitudes promote:– Openness to new ideas– Alertness– Planning ahead

Safety is a Matter of Attitude

• Explosive

• Flammable

• Thermally unstable

• Reactive

• Poisonous

• Infectious

• Radioactive

• Corrosive

Multiple Hazard Characteristics

• “Always consider the possibility of multiple hazard characteristics in each hazard class.”

Safety Keypoint #1

• “Approach all hazardous material incidents from upwind, upgrade, and upstream, positioning vehicles and apparatus headed away from the incident scene.”

Safety Keypoint #2

• Distance Safety Factors– 100' 1– 200' 2 times– 300' 4 times– 400' 16 times– 500' 256 times

Distance is an Ally

• A safe haven for personnel and equipment that allows a 3 minute scene access from a safe distance should the incident suddenly escalate

Staging Area

• People running from the hazardous area

Outward Warning Signs


• People running from the hazardous area• People collapsed inside the hazardous area


• People running from the hazardous area• People collapsed inside the hazardous area• Evidence of fire indicated by smoke


• People running from the hazardous area• People collapsed inside the hazardous area• Evidence of fire indicated by smoke• A loud roar of increasing pitch from an operating

relief valve



relief valve• Evidence of a leak indicated by a hissing sound



relief valve• Evidence of a leak indicated by a hissing sound• Birds and insects falling out of the sky

• The Victim– Has the presence of the person(s)

requiring rescue been confirmed visually or by credible sources?

– How long has the person(s) been exposed to the hazardous material?

– Is the person viable?– Is the person(s) requiring rescue

trapped in a vehicle or by debris?

Rescue Considerations


• The Product– What are the hazards of the material

involved?– Is a fire or explosion likely?– How fast is the product leaking from it’s

container?– Is the person(s) directly exposed to the

product or it’s vapors?


• The Responder(s)– Does the responder have adequate training?– Is appropriate protective equipment

available?– Are there sufficient personnel present to

provide back-up?– How long must responders be exposed in

the process of attempting rescue?– Are the proper tools available?


• Physical Factors– Must the vehicle or entrapping debris be

stabilized?– Can the flow of product be diverted away

from victim or stopped altogether?– Is access to the person difficult due to

steep terrain or other reasons?

• “In a hazardous material incident you may have to delay attending to the injured in order to save the lives of many others”

Safety Keypoint #3

• Initial actions taken to secure the scene will save many lives by preventing “convergence” into the hazardous area.

Scene Control

• Two or more chemicals combined resulting in a new compound– The resulting compound can be more

hazardous than the original substances.

Chlorine + Ammonia = Chloramine gas

Synergism

• First operational priority:– Isolate the hazard area and

deny entry.

Safety Keypoint #4

• Establish inner perimeter first.

• Initially establish a large outer perimeter by closing major roadways into the area by using incoming response units.

• Downwind perimeters should be 2-3 times larger than other perimeter boundaries.

Establish Perimeters

Scene SafetyAfter surveying the scene:

• Set up zones

HOT

WARM

COLD Control the scene

The Hot Zone• Center = center of the incident/explosion

• First perimeter = location of the farthest piece of evidence

• ‘y’ = distance between the center and perimeter

shrapnel

y

y=100 meters

The Warm Zone

• Half the distance

• Likely place for a second device

• Distance between Hot and Warm zone is ‘x’

X=50 meters

x

The Cold Zone• Where the incident command post is set up

• Choose the point which provides the most safety

CP

Safe Deployment of Resources

Maintain safe distances, up wind and up hill, if possible

Operations for Hazardous Accidents

Security

Operations &

Safety

Medical & Triage

Wind Direction

Staging Area

Command Post

• Only those emergency personnel in the proper protective clothing and positive pressure SCBA, “who are actively performing emergency operations” are to operate within the inner perimeter.”

Safety Keypoint #5

• Must identify minimum perimeter distances to be utilized by the emergency responders for the protection of both the emergency responders and the citizens.

Emergency Response Plans

• Recommended minimum initial isolation distances:– Minor incident = 150 mtrs– Major incident = 500 mtrs– Explosion potential = 800 mtrs

• Isolate in all directions

Control Zones

• “Recommended minimum safety perimeter for citizens = 1,000 mtrs beyond inner perimeter boundaries in open areas.”

Safety Keypoint #6

• “To avoid inhalation hazards, SCBA must be properly worn, used and maintained.”– Recognize the potential for downwind

hazards to be present;– Use personnel in the proper level of

personal protective clothing to expand downwind perimeters to well beyond the hazardous area.

Safety Keypoint #7

• “Never eat, smoke or drink at or around hazardous material incident scenes until you decontaminate and wash your hands, face, and hair thoroughly.”

Safety Keypoint #8

• Skin absorption occurs by:– Direct contact of material with

exposed skin (such as splashes and spills on unprotected skin)

– Handling of contaminated patients, clothing, and equipment

– Penetration of protective clothing

Absorption

• “Consult protective clothing compatibility data to ensure available protective clothing is compatible with the hazardous material(s) involved in the incident.”

Safety Keypoint #9

• Pre-employment exam

• Annual or periodic exams and testing

• Post employment

• Post exposure treatment

• Record keeping

Medical Surveillance

• Date

• Time

• Incident number

• Blood gas levels (carboxyhemoglobin)

• Material involved

• Level of exposure

• Medical treatment received

Exposure Records

General Safety Precautions

• Isolate the hazard area and deny entry



• Do not walk into or touch any spilled material




• Avoid inhalation of all gases, fumes, and smoke,




• Avoid inhalation of all gases, fumes, and smoke,

• Do not assume that gases or vapors are harmless just because you can't see or smell them.

“Think of safety with every breath

you take.”

Safety Keypoint #10

Primary Considerations for Response

• Responder Safety

• Public Safety

• Scene Security

• Hazard Assessment

• Risk Assessment

• Environmental Concerns

• Property Conservation

Establish Response Priorities• Low

– Protecting environment, property or equipment

• Moderate– Attempt rescue of

person(s) with low probability of survival

• High– Attempt rescue of

person(s) with high probability of survival

Identify Evacuation or Relocation Procedures

• Evacuation– Action taken rapidly in the

best interests of the public within the threatened area

• Relocation – Preventing re-entry into

the area when negative impacts will persist for a long period of time, or permanently

Response Reactions

• When looking at the hazards involved consider your responders safety and will their effects dramatically change the outcome of the incident

• Decision time– “Stay and Play” (safely do the job)– “Get Out” (the risks are too great)

Safe Work Practices

• Prevent direct contact with hazardous chemicals

• Limit exposure levels and time

• Good hygiene

• Take appropriate fire prevention and control measures

Safe Work Practices

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment

• Use equipment and tools not affected by the chemical being handled

• Prevent chemicals from mixing that cause adverse reactions

• Use good common sense

Scene Safety

• Ensure that there is an evacuation plan and an escape route

• Minimize the number of people on the scene

• Set up the triage area

outside the event area

Use Emergency Response Guide

• First responders guide developed jointly by transportation departments of Canada, United States and Mexico– Includes United Nations dangerous goods list

• Assist first responders in making initial decisions

Emergency Response Guide

• Quick identification of the specific or generic hazards of the material(s) involved in the incident

• Isolation and protection of first responders and the general public

Emergency Response Guide

• Not a substitute for emergency response training, knowledge or sound judgment

• Does not address all possible circumstances

• No physical or chemical properties of hazardous materials

Guidebook Contents

• White pages– How to use the guidebook during a dangerous goods incident– General information

• Yellow-bordered pages– Index list of dangerous goods in numerical order of four-digit ID

number

• Blue-bordered pages– Index list of dangerous goods in alphabetical order of material

name

Guidebook Contents

• Orange-bordered pages– Contains all safety recommendations in numerical

order by 3-digit guide number

• Green-bordered pages– Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action and a

table which lists, by ID number, Toxic by Inhalation (TIH) materials

http://www.tc.gc.ca/canutec/erg_gmu/search/guide.asp?guide=128&lang=EN

Hazmat Ipod

• Developed to address the unique needs of first responders determining unknown hazards using observable physical characteristics and signs and symptoms observed in victims.

• Contains more than 91,000

chemical, biological warfare

(TICs, TIMs, CW agents),

biological agents (bio-weapon

and bioterror agents),

and improvised explosive devices

Single Gas Detectors

• Single-gas personal protection Monitors for continuous readouts of Toxic gas Concentrations

Ammonia Carbon Monoxide Chlorine Chlorine Dioxide Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Sulfide Nitric Oxide Nitrogen Dioxide Oxygen Phosphine Sulfur Dioxide

Multi Gas Detector

• Combines a PID and a 4-gas Monitor

• It measures oxygen, combustibles (LEL), carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide

Chemical Disaster Management Tools

Detection Systems AreTools for Critical Decision

Making

PLAN! TRAIN! PRACTICE!

• Preplanning is essential

• Train the way you plan to respond

• Practice varying your response

Evaluate the

Risk

Prevent the

Risk

Reduce or

Eliminate

Learn to

Survive &

Recover

SUMMARYSUMMARY

• Identify physical and structural hazards• Identify threats • Ensure responder safety.• Mark hazard areas and designate

safety zones• Request specialized services• Communicate & coordinate• Use appropriate equipment

Any Questions

THE END

emergency response & rescue planning by mr. g. s. saini director, national civil defence college

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