The first response unit of the Fire Department will be managed by the senior ranking officer on the initial alarm, who will be the Incident Commander. Responsibility for command will be transferred to succeeding commanders using the established lines of authority within the Incident Command structure.
The Incident Commander on the first alarm will implement the actions necessary to implement the guidelines for hazardous materials response and assume responsibility for all command and command staff functions necessary to manage the initial response.
First responders at this level have been trained to implement limited offensive and defensive control measures for common hazardous materials involving limited quantities of certain materials. They will be capable of performing the following procedures:
a. Implementing an action plan to include; recognition and identification, isolation, notification, protection, and establish an initial command post.Upon discovery that a potential hazardous materials emergency exists, the company commander shall develop an initial action plan concentrating on the following actions:
b. Notify dispatcher of the need for additional resources. Communicate essential information about the incident to other responders through the dispatcher.
c. Initiate evacuation, if appropriate.
d. Initiate basic offensive functions for containment and confinement within the limits of the resources and protective equipment capabilities available on site.
e. Understand and comply with "decon" procedures.
1) Recognition and Identification
2) Notification
3) Isolation
4) Protection
Note: The situation and immediate conditions dictate the priority in which these actions are conducted.
Recognition and Identification
The Company Commander should evaluate the scene during his/her initial size up to determine if a hazardous materials incident exists.
The Company Commander shall utilize the Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guide, placards, shipping papers, or other visual information (container types, etc.) to identify the material involved, when possible. The Company Commander must remember that the level of protection provided by personal protective equipment on engine companies is limited.
The Company Commander should begin to gather information including:
weather informationSize up from a distance; USE BINOCULARS
shipping papers
identification numbers
state of the material involved; liquid, gas, solid
geographic information
plant personnel, driver, carrier
Notification
The Company Commanders on scene report and subsequent size up reports should contain precautionary information for other responding agencies. The Company Commander should remember that other agencies will be responding ( Police, EMS). These agencies should be advised of the situation as soon as possible to prevent endangerment of other response personnel.
The Company Commander shall initiate the following initial notification process.
Immediately notify the following Fire Department Personnel
Assistant Chief on DutyCall for further assistance from other City agencies as required per function:
Chief of the Department
Division Chief of Training/Safety
Special Operations Team
Police Department (Evacuation, Traffic Control, Crowd Control)Other agencies which may be required include:
Public Services (Equipment, Operators, Diking Materials)
Natchez Trace Rangers (Traffic Control, Evacuation, near parkway)
Tupelo Emergency Management Team (TEMTeam)Isolation
Tupelo/Lee County Emergency Management Agency
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
North Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Room/Medical Control
Tupelo Airport Authority Fire/Rescue
Mississippi Highway Patrol
Lee County Sheriff's Office
The Company Commander shall begin the process of isolating the area depending on the severity of the incident. The Company Commander should consult the DOT/ERG for initial actions regarding isolation zones and perimeters.
The Company Commander shall establish a SAFETY PERIMETER and deny entry, when applicable, to non-essential personnel.
The Company Commander shall start the evacuation process where necessary based on information gathered at the scene.
Protection
The Company Commander shall initiate the Incident Command System by assuming command, designating command identification, and beginning initial response functions.
The Incident Commander shall take necessary steps to protect emergency responders and the public.
The Incident Commander shall initiate actions to prevent contamination of personnel and equipment by denying entry, establishing safety zones, and isolating the area.
The initial actions of the Incident Commander should remain defensive in nature unless operationally trained personnel are on the scene and the initial information gathered leads the Incident Commander to believe that minor offensive actions may mitigate the situation or prevent further problems. The Incident Commander must remember that the maximum level of protection available to initial responders is Level C Protection. This shall be a major consideration in developing an offensive action plan during the initial response.
Stage equipment and personnel up wind and up hill.
Establish SAFETY PERIMETER.
Avoid personnel coming in contact with vapor(s) or liquid(s).
Evaluate need for evacuation-wind speed and direction
Control ignition sources
Rescue injured only if prudent
Know risk to rescue personnel
Can you do anything for downed victims
Quarantine exposed victims and personnel treatment area