NFPA 472
Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
Hazardous Material
Defined by the
... [Show More] U.S. DOT; a material that poses an unreasonable risk to health and safety of operating emergency personnel, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging, use and disposal, or transportation.
Number of chemicals that are registered for use in commerce in the U.S.
80,000
Estimated number of new chemicals introduced annually
2000
The bulk of new chemical substances are...
industrial chemicals, household cleaners and lawn care products
Hazardous Waste
a potentially harmful byproduct or residue that remains after a manufacturing process. Can be just as dangerous as pure chemicals.
Difficulty with Hazardous Waste
hazardous waste can consist of mixtures of several chemicals, resulting in a hybrid substance. It can be difficult to determine how such a substance will react when it is released or comes into contact with other chemicals
Agency that usually handles the initial emergency response phase in a HAZMAT incident
fire department
Regulation
Issued and enforced by governmental bodies such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Standards
Issued by nongovernmental entities and are generally consensus based. Essentially, consensus organizations such as the NFPA issue standards that the public and other interested parties can comment on before committee members agree to adopt them.
NFPA standards governing hazardous materials response come from what committee
Technical Committee on HAZMAT response personnel. Made up of members from private industry, fire service, state and federal agencies.
NFPA 473
Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to HAZMAT/Weapons of Mass Destruction incidents.
Levels of awareness are listed under what standard?
NFPA 472
NFPA 1072
HAZMAT/WOFMD emergency response personnel professional qualifications
HAZWOPER
(Hazardous waste operations and emergency response)
Federal regulations detailing the HAZMAT response competencies. Standardized training for HAZMAT response and hazardous waste site operations.
Firefighters generally must be trained at what level
operations level
Awareness Level
Individuals who in the course of their normal duties, could encounter an emergency involving hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction and who are expected to recognize the presence of the hazardous material or WMDs, protect themselves, call for trained personnel and secure the scene.
Operations Level
Responds to hazmat or WMD incidents for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, the environment, or property from the effects of the release. Trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.
Technician Level
Trained to enter heavily contaminated areas using the highest levels of personal protection. Take offensive actions using a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and training in an effort to stop the release.
Specialist Level
Receives more specialized training than technicians. Specialized training relates to a specific product or to a specific mode of transportation. [Show Less]