Hazardous Materials Unit 114 Standard Operational Procedure

OBJECTIVE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS UNIT 114

• Command Objective: To provide a specialized vehicle, equipment, and highly trained personnel for responding to hazardous incidents. This includes chemicals, hydrocarbons (flammable liquids and gases), radiological materials, and etiological agents (causes of disease) within Baltimore County and neighboring jurisdictions as requested.

• Team Composition: The Hazardous Materials Response Team consists of members assigned to Station $14$ and any other personnel designated by Division Chiefs.

• Administrative Leadership:

  • Hazardous Materials $1$ (Haz-Mat $1$): The Division Chief assigned to Unit #$114$ serves as the program administrator.

  • Succession of Command: In the absence of the Division Chief, responsibilities are assumed by Haz-Mat $2$, $3$, or Haz-Mat $5$.

  • Notification Protocol: On all incidents, the Division Chief and Haz-Mat $5$ must be notified by Fire Dispatch via pager or telephone and will respond at their discretion.

• Medical Support Dispatch: Medic $14$ is dispatched at the discretion of the Haz-Mat Commander for every incident requiring Level A or Level B chemical protective clothing.

GENERAL OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION

• Housing and Maintenance: Unit #$114$ is housed at Brooklandville Station #$14$. Maintenance of the vehicle is the joint responsibility of station members and Fire Maintenance.

• Station Ledger Entries: A ledger at Station $14$ must be updated after every incident by the Officer-in-Charge. Required entries include:

  1. Basic situation upon arrival and materials involved.

  2. Materials used (including absorbent disposal details per Appendix A).

  3. Incident time-frame.

  4. Civilian and Fire Department injuries.

  5. Damage to Fire Department equipment.

  6. Chemical exposure data: type, time, and name of personnel.

  7. Chemical protective clothing (CPC) data: type, time, material, and personnel names.

  8. Other unusual or pertinent information.

• Non-Response Information in Ledger:

  1. Suit use for training or backup.

  2. Test records for CPC.

  3. Calibration records.

  4. Receipt of new equipment.

  5. Training details.

  6. Absorbent details.

  7. Inventory of foam, absorbent, and booms.

• Replacement of Resources: Materials expended must be replaced immediately. If materials are depleted, the Division Chief for Haz-Mat $114$ must be notified.

• Reporting Requirements:

  • A proper UFIRS report must be completed for every use of Haz-Mat $114$, with emphasis on personnel exposure and equipment used.

  • A "First Report of Injury" is mandatory for any personnel injured or exposed to hazardous materials.

• Staffing: Haz-Mat $114$ requires a Lieutenant and a driver, in addition to the crew assigned to Engine $14$.

DISPATCH CRITERIA FOR HAZ-MAT 114

Automatic Dispatch

• Incidents involving vehicles or fixed installations of chemicals, pesticides, or hydrocarbons exceeding $100\text{ gallons}$ or $100\text{ pounds}$.

• Aircraft crashes or train derailments.

• Spills in tank farms or fixed storage facilities exceeding $100\text{ gallons}$.

• Propane or L.P.G. fixed installation incidents exceeding $100\text{ gallons}$.

• Spills of solids, liquids, or gases in excess of $100\text{ gallons}$.

• External Notification: Fire Dispatch must notify the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) whenever Haz-Mat $114$ is dispatched.

Dispatch Upon Request

• Exposure fires where large quantities of hazardous materials ($500\text{ gallons}$ or $500\text{ pounds}$) are threatened by fire or water damage.

• Spills or chemicals of an unknown nature (liquids, powders, granules, solids, or gases).

• Incidents requiring foam or absorbent in quantities exceeding $6\text{ cans}$ of foam or $6\text{ bags}$ of absorbent.

• Assist the Incident Commander (IC) at their discretion for any practical assistance.

OPERATING PROCEDURES AND SITE MANAGEMENT

• Incident Management Structure:

  • The ranking officer at the scene must consult with the Haz-Mat $114$ Officer-in-Charge to determine a strategy.

  • The Incident Command System (ICS) is mandatory.

  • The IC must appoint a Safety Officer.

• Incident Site Log Requirements: Must include location, date, release details (name, description, source, quantity, cause), weather, personnel assignments, injuries, corrective actions, chronology, entry/exit times for team members, toxic levels encountered, and resources used.

• Sectorization Protocols:

  • Hot Sector (Red Cones): Immediate location of leak/spill.

  • Warm Sector (Yellow Cones): Closest safe distance where no contamination occurs. Houses Haz-Mat $114$, the decontamination area, and the forward command sector. Access limited to essential personnel.

  • Cold Sector (Green Cones): Safe area for staging equipment, personnel, the command post, and media. Public entry is denied.

  • Sector Commanders control entry at every sector point.

DECONTAMINATION STATIONS AND PROCEDURES

• General Rules: The decon sector is in the Warm Sector. It must be operational before entry into the Hot Sector. Personnel must pass through decon to exit. "Clean" personnel and "Contaminated" personnel must remain on their respective sides.

• The 10-Step Decontamination Process:

  • Station 1 (Entry): Victims mechanically cleaned of contaminants; tools dropped in tool drop area. Personnel in SCBA and CPC.

  • Station 2 (Gross Decon): Victim clothing removed; victims and entry team showered in one wash pool.

  • Station 3 (Secondary Wash): Scrubbing and showering in Pools $2$ and $3$ assisted by the decon team.

  • Station 4 (CPC Removal): Entry team removes clothing; isolated and labeled on the contaminated side.

  • Station 5 (SCBA Removal): SCBA isolated. If re-entry is needed, new SCBA is donned from the clean side.

  • Station 6 (Personal Clothing): All personal items/clothing removed and isolated in plastic bags.

  • Station 7 (Full Body Wash): Washing with sponges/brushes and mild detergent in one pool.

  • Station 8 (Dry Off): Towels/sheets used; clean clothes provided. Used linens bagged for disposal.

  • Station 9 (Medical Assessment): Rapid assessment for victims; post-medical evaluation for entry, backup, and decon teams.

  • Station 10 (Transport): Transfer to hospitals or recovery areas.

• Decon Equipment: Licensed private companies handle disposal of pools and water. Haz-Mat $1$ must be advised when pools are used to arrange replacements.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING LEVELS

• Decontamination Team Rule: The decon team is suited one level below the entry team.

  • Entry Level A $\rightarrow$ Decon Level B

  • Entry Level B $\rightarrow$ Full Turnout Gear

  • Entry Full Turnout $\rightarrow$ Full Turnout Gear

• Level A Suit Components:

  • Totally Encapsulating Chemical Protective Suit.

  • $1\text{-hour}$ SCBA.

  • Outer chemical resistant gloves and inner gloves.

  • Chemical resistant boots.

  • Radio communications.

• Level B Suit Components:

  • Tyvek/Saranex full suit, coveralls, or chemical splash protection.

  • $1\text{-hour}$ SCBA (Decon team may use $30\text{-minute}$ SCBA).

  • Outer chemical resistant gloves and inner gloves.

  • Chemical resistant boots.

  • Radio communications ($1$ person for decon team; all for entry/backup).

• Full Turnout Clothing:

  • Helmet, Nomex or PBI hood, turnout coat, pants, boots, gloves, SCBA, and optional tape.

MEDICAL PROTOCOLS AND EVALUATION

• Annual Physicals: Mandatory in-depth physical for all Haz-Mat personnel per S.A.R.A. Title III act, tracked for $5\text{ years}$ after leaving the station.

• Medical History Forms: Completed annually; reviewed by Haz-Mat $1$ and sealed on Unit $114$. Forms are confidential.

• Incident Evaluation: Personnel using Level A or B suits must undergo pre-entry and post-exit medical evaluation. Water must be provided before suiting up and sufficient rest provided after decontamination.

• Backup Team: A safety/backup team in identical PPE must be ready during all entries (except for hooking up the low-pressure tube to the SCBA regulator).

• Medic Responsibilities: Medics (M14, M13, M15, M17, M54) handle medical evaluation. They must remain in safe areas and only treat decontaminated patients. No contaminated patients are ever transported.

SATELLITE UNIT OPERATIONS

• Assigned Stations: Stations $13$, $15$, $17$, and $54$.

• Dispatch: A satellite unit is automatically dispatched with Haz-Mat $114$ (excluding mutual aid).

• Responsibilities:

  • Perform defensive actions only.

  • Identify hazards and research using available references.

  • Establish initial evacuation and supervise first responders.

  • Report to the Haz-Mat $114$ OIC upon their arrival.

  • Provide backup teams and assist with suiting up.

TRAINING AND STAFFING STANDARDS

• Haz-Mat Advisory and Training Committee: Includes representatives from Station $14$, satellites, Haz-Mat $1$, $2$, $5$, and the Fire Academy. Haz-Mat $4$ is the Chairperson.

• Testing/Refresher: One yearly refresher course is mandatory for all personnel.

• Training Levels (NFPA 472/OSHA 1910.120):

  1. First Responders—Awareness: EMS and Police (Recognition).

  2. First Responders—Operations: Engine/Truck Companies (Defensive action).

  3. Hazardous Materials Technician: Satellite Companies (Offensive action with proper PPE).

  4. Hazardous Materials Specialists: E-14, Haz-Mat $114$, Haz-Mat $1, 2, 5$ (Supervisory).

• Staffing Minima:

  • E-14/HM 114: Min. $1$ specialist and $1$ technician.

  • Satellites: Min. $1$ technician.

  • Suit ops: Entry teams must have at least $1$ technician. Decon must be supervised by a technician.

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Radios: Frequency for Level A suit communication is strictly restricted of other uses.

• Suit Testing: Level A suits tested every $6\text{ months}$ (test results in ledger). Level A suits are never used for training. Suits are tested after every use.

• Level B Suits: Disposed of after use; training suits marked "For Training Only".

• Combustible Gas Indicators: Tested every $2\text{ months}$ or after use. A lifetime log is maintained for each meter.

• Draeger Kit: Notify Haz-Mat $1$ when only $6\text{ tubes}$ remain of any type or if more than $4\text{ tubes}$ of a type are used.

APPENDIX A: ABSORBENT DISPOSAL PROTOCOLS

• Non-Flammable/Diesel Fuel/Fuel Oil:

  • $1\text{ to }5\text{ bags}$: Dispose in dumpster.

  • $6+\text{ bags}$: Notify DEPRM; dispatch contacts Environmental Services Bureau for pickup.

• Flammable Liquids (Flash point < $100^{\circ}F$):

  • Gasoline/Jet Fuel: Return to station in steel drums. Do NOT use dumpsters.

  • Notify Station $14$ when one drum is full for pickup (Tuesday dump runs).

• Unidentifiable Products: Must be analyzed by DEPRM before disposal; do not return to station.

• Maryland State Spill Report: Required for any use of $1$ or more bags.

• Efficiency: One bag absorbs up to $18\text{ gallons}$, depending on viscosity.

APPENDIX D: CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TESTING PROCEDURES

• PVC Suit Pressure Test:

  1. Plug dump valves from inside.

  2. Inflate to $1.0\text{ inch}$ water, then slowly to $3.0\text{ inches}$.

  3. Wait $2\text{ minutes}$ for material to settle.

  4. Reduce pressure to $2.2\text{ inches}$ water.

  5. Wait $5\text{ minutes}$. Pressure must not drop more than $0.2\text{ inches}$.

• Butyl Suit Pressure Test:

  1. Pressurize to $5\text{ inches}$ water for $1\text{ minute}$ to remove wrinkles.

  2. Reduce to $4\text{ inches}$ water.

  3. Wait $3\text{ minutes}$. Pressure must not be less than $3.2\text{ inches}$ at the end.