The Fire Department Operations Chief will manage the operation of the Hazardous Material Group under ICS guidelines.

Fire Department personnel who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping or controlling them assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operational level, in that they will approach the point of the release. These duties require a more directed or specific knowledge of the various substances they may be called upon to contain. Their training includes knowledge of procedures for the use of specialized chemical protective clothing, survey equipment, and special procedures for containing a chemical hazard and decontamination. These personnel should only be persons who have receive additional training over and above the first responder operations level.

Members of the Haz Mat Group will be divided into teams. The purpose of the team concept is to provide for the safety and accountability of all the members. No person involved in the mitigation activities of these teams is to work alone.

Specific functions of the Haz Mat Group

A. Analysis

1. Verify, identify, or classify hazardous materials and determine their concentration.
2. Collect and interpret hazard and response information.
3. Estimate damage to containment system.

B. Planning

1. Select appropriate PPE for incident activities
2. Develop decontamination procedures
3. Develop plan of action consistent with the SOG and within the capabilities of
personnel, PPE, and equipment available.

C. Operations

1. Carry out planned activities under the direction of the IC as per the SOG.

A Special Operations Unit Team Leader or other designated member of the department with sufficient training to function as group supervisor for the severity of the incident. He/She will coordinate the following activities as directed by and report to the IC or a level of supervision assigned by the IC.

A. Obtains briefing from the Incident Commander.
B. Confirms the development of Control Zones and Access Control Points and the placement of appropriate control lines.
C. Ensures that a Site Safety Plan is developed and implemented.
D. Participates in the development of the Incident Action Plan; develops the Hazardous Materials portion of the Incident Action Plan.
E. Evaluates and recommends evacuation, sheltering, and decontamination options to the Incident Commander.
F. Conducts safety meetings with the Hazardous Materials Group members. The Haz Mat Supervisor is responsible for site safety and operations inside the area bounded by the Contamination Control Line including the Exclusion Area or "Hot Zone."
G. Ensures that the proper Personal Protective Equipment is selected and used.
H. Ensures that current weather date and future weather predictions are obtained.
I. Supervises the activities of and maintains communications with:

1. Haz Mat Group Team Members
2. Incident Commander or next higher level of supervision, if a position has been staffed.

J. Establishes environmental monitoring of the hazard site for contaminants.
K. Ensures that appropriate agencies are notified through the Incident Commander.
L. Terminates operations.

The Entry Team consist of a minimum of two members assigned to the Haz Mat Group. One member will be designated the Team Leader. The Team Leader will, on orders from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor, perform the following functions:

A. Obtain a briefing from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor.
B. Supervise entry operations
C. Recommend actions to mitigate the situation with the Exclusion Zone.
D. Carry out actions, as directed by the Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor, to mitigate the hazardous materials release or threatened release.
E. Maintain communications and coordinate operations with:

1. Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor.
2. Decontamination Team Leader.

3. Resource Technician/ Hazardous Materials Reference.
4. Back up Team.
F. Maintain control of the movement of people and equipment within the Exclusion Zone, including contaminated victims.
G. Direct rescue operations, as needed, in the Exclusion Zone.
H. Terminate operations

The Backup Team consists of a minimum of two members assigned to the Haz Mat Group. One member will be designated the Team Leader. The Team Leader will, on orders from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor, perform the following functions:

A. Obtain a briefing from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor.
B. Assist Entry Team in site survey and product identification.
C. Carry out actions, as directed by the Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor.
D. Ensure all equipment is prepared for use according to action plan.
E. Maintain visual contact with Entry Team whenever possible.
F. In proper PPE, act as a backup Entry Team from safe area. Be prepared to rescue the Entry Team.
G. Complete operations in Exclusion Zone should Entry Team fail to complete assignment.
H. Maintain communications and coordinate operations with:

1. Entry Team Leader
2. Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor.
3. Decontamination Team Leader.
4. Resource Technician/ Hazardous Materials Reference.

I. Furnish additional equipment or supplies to the Entry Team as needed. Replace used equipment.
J. Terminate operations

The Decon Team consist of a minimum of two members assigned to the Haz Mat Group. One member will be designated the Team Leader. The Team Leader will, on orders from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor, perform the following functions:

A. Obtain a briefing from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor.
B. Manage the Control Zones and Access Control Points and the placement of appropriate control lines
C. Ensure that appropriate action is taken to prevent the spread of contaminants.
D. Set up Decon Area. Implement decontamination process of Haz Mat Team.
E. Decon, as possible, all equipment used.
F. Maintain communications and coordinate operations with:

1. Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor.
2. Entry Team Leader.
3. Resource Technician/ Hazardous Materials Reference.
4. Back up Team.

G. Overpack exposed equipment for further decontamination or disposal.
H. Ensure that all equipment is placed back in service.
I. Terminate operations

A member will be designated as resource technician to provide technical information and assistance to the Haz Mat Group using various reference sources such as computer data bases, technical library, CHEMTREC, and phone contact with facility representatives.

The Resource Technician may proved product identification using test kits and/or any other means of identifying unknown materials.

The Resource Technician will, on orders from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor, perform the following functions:

A. Obtain a briefing from the Haz Mat Group Supervisor.
B. Provides support to the Haz Mat Group Supervisor.
1. Monitor SCBA use time for suit operations.
2. Determines personal protective equipment compatibility to hazardous material.
C. Maintain communications and coordinate operations with:

1. Entry Team Leader.
2. Hazardous Material Group Supervisor.
3. Backup Team Leader.
4. Decon Team Leader.

D. Provide technical information management with public and private agencies. Interpret environmental monitoring information.
E. Provide analysis of hazardous materials samples.
F. Document operations and notifications; eg., document serial numbers of chemical protective suits worn by members.
G. Provide technical information of the incident for documentation.
H. Determine proper decon requirements
I. Complete all necessary reports and forms and terminate operations.