Service Delivery 4

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Service Delivery 4

• Hazardous Materials
• and
• Decontamination

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Aim

• To make students aware of the initial actions
  to be taken at incidents involving hazardous
  materials and the procedures for decontamination.

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Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session
students will be able to

• State the initial actions at chemical incidents
• Understand decontamination measures
• List the control measures necessary to prevent
  harm or injury.

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Action on arrival
At all incidents, circumstances will vary
in relation to the type, nature and
location Some common factors are

• Ensure a safe approach
• Approach from upwind and uphill
• Avoid any vapour clouds.

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Risk assessment

• Are any rescues required to be carried out
• Type of incident - fire or spillage
• Position of the incident
• The substance and its hazards
• Firefighting media required and personal
  protection
• Stopping the spread of the incident
• Obtaining specialist advise
• Does the incident require further resources
• Environment considerations.

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Details required

• Name of the substance
• Emergency action code
• Makers name, address and telephone no.
• Quantity involved
• Fire or spillage, and location
• Form - liquid, solid or gas.

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Information gathering

• If the UKTHIS or ADR plate cannot be easily read
  and the driver or other responsible person is not
  available it may be necessary to commit a crew to
  obtain the information required
• The supervisory officer will determine the
  appropriate level of protection to be worn.

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Chemical protection suits

• Two types
• Standard
• Gastight.

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Decontamination

• Primary purpose
• To remove firefighters from any contaminated
  clothing or CPC safely
• Decontamination of equipment is a secondary
  consideration, which may be carried out at
  station
• Equipment includes CPC and firekit.

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Environment
Important At every incident requiring the use
of decontamination, the Environment Agency
should be consulted at the first opportunity.
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General

• Decontamination may be Initial or Full depending
  on the incident and use and can be either
• Wet Using water with or without
  detergent, or
• Dry Using fullers earth or vacuum cleaner.

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Choice of method

• This will be based
• Nature of the contamination
• Degree of contamination
• Type of protective clothing worn
• Risk to the environment.

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Decontamination zone

• The following factors must be taken into account
  when siting the decontamination zone
• Type of decontamination
• Weather conditions and wind direction
• The slope of the ground
• Location of drains (or their absence)
• Operational circumstances.

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Decontamination zone
Also to be considered

• Location of BA entry control
• Location of a pumping appliance
• Location of the incident.

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Procedures

• Contaminated wearers should emerge from the risk
  area with a minimum of 80 bar pressure remaining
  in the cylinder
• After reporting to the ECO personnel must
  proceed directly to the decontamination zone
  holding area
• The operations will determine the order for
  personnel to be decontaminated according to the
  cylinder contents.

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Initial decontamination
Clean Area
Cleaning Area.
Emergency Clothing
Suction Hose
Plastic Bags
Improvised Dam(if used)
Hose Reel
Fullers Earth Brush Shovel
Dirty Area
Hose Reel
Drain (if used)
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Full decontamination

• Documentation Officer

• Director.

Clean Area
BA Storage Area
Clean Clothing

• Assistant Director

Suction Hose
Box for DSUs
Plastic Bags

• Operators 1 2

Hose Reel
Fullers Earth Brush Shovel
Dam (if used)
Dirty Area
Shower Unit (if used) position over drain
Hose
B.A. Control
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Portable decontamination shower
Dilution ratio
2000 to 1.
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Advantages of shower system

• Minimum number of operatives
• Easily set up, no time consuming labour
• Personnel are processed rapidly
• Portable, may be stowed on appliance.

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Disadvantages of shower system

• Cannot be used with non coverall

• Not suitable for fire kit only
• Require a substantial water supply
• Unsuitable for members of the public

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Disadvantages of shower system

• Produces aerosol and spray, which can spread
  contamination

• May overrun drains quickly
• Water authorities require consultation and may
  not agree, depending on substance.

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Emergency decontamination

• May be necessary where fire service personnel
  have
• Inadequate protection or sustained damage to
  their CPC (including boots)
• Suffered injury
• A breathing apparatus emergency.

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Emergency decontamination
May also be used for

• Members of the public or site personnel who are
  not protected or who have inadequate protection
• Use the best method available depending on
  time constraints.

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Post incident

• Items of uniform
• Seal in a plastic bag
• Boots, reflective jackets and equipment wash
  thoroughly before leaving incident
• Items for disposal - Health and Safety Section
• Label all bags.

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Post incident
On return to station

• Equipment- wash with hot water and detergent and
  rinse with copious amounts of water- suitable PPE
• Only condemned following assessment by
  supervisory officer
• Personal hygiene
• Records Accident book F(A)32.

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Health and safety considerations

• Site all personnel, appliances, equipment and
  control points upwind and in a safe clear area
• Wear full firefighting kit including chemical and
  gas suits, with BA if required
• If possible work in a well illuminated clear area

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Health and safety considerations

• Do not eat, drink or smoke during the incident

• Avoid inhalation, ingestion and absorption of
  chemicals or vapour clouds
• Ensure equipment ich can create a spark,
  torches/radios, can be used inside the danger
  area

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Health and safety considerations

• Anyone feeling unwell at the incident must report
  to the Incident Commander immediately.

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Confirmation Assessments will be
based on this lesson and the corresponding study
note

• Learning Outcomes
• State the initial actions at chemical incidents
• Understand decontamination measures
• List the control measures necessary to prevent
  harm or injury.

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THE END