OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

Question 1

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

Outline the 2 Phase, 7 Step Approach

Answer 1

Phase 1: - Initial considerations and safe approach
1. Recognise that an incident may involve hazardous materials
2. Approach incident with caution (DANGER acronym)
3. Establish Control
4. Establish an initial isolation zone
5. Consider taking immediate action

Phase 2: - Cold Zone Reconnaissance
6. Conduct Cold Zone Reconnaissance
7. Further Considerations

Question 2

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

Phase 1: - Initial considerations and safe approach
1. Recognise that an incident may involve hazardous materials

How do you go about doing this?

Answer 2

Recognise that an incident may involve hazardous materials:

Conduct Size Up enroute and on scene to identify the possible presence of hazardous materials. Indicators may include:
- Call type
- Incident location, eg. Major Hazard Facility
- Visual signs, eg. Coloured gas plume
- Vehicle or container types involved, eg. dangerous goods containers
- Victim presentation, eg. multiple casualties
- Environmental effect, eg. dead/dying vegetation and/or wildlife
- Signage, eg. Dangerous goods placarding

Question 3

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

2. Approach incident with caution (DANGER acronym)

Answer 3

Approach incident with caution:
D - Do not enter smoke, gas or vapour clouds
A - Approach from upwind and uphill
N - No closer than 70 metres
G - Gather information by observation from a safe location
E - Examine more closely, only if necessary and with full PPE
R - Respond according to the information gathered

Question 4

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

3. Establish Control

Answer 4

3. Establish Control
   Establish an ICP at a safe distance of at least 70 metres, upwind and uphill from the spill or leak.

Question 5

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

4. Establish an initial isolation zone

Answer 5

4. Establish an initial isolation zone
   - Ensure isolation distance is a minimum of 70 metres in all directions to create an initial isolation zone
   - Modify according to the initial isolation distance quoted in the relevant emergency response guide of the ANZERG
   - Consideration should also be given to the identification and elimination of potential ignition sources and utilities in the vicinity of the leak or spill

Question 6

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

5. Consider taking immediate action

Answer 6

5. Consider taking immediate action
   Perform a SPADRA and consider undertaking the following immediate actions where there is a clear benefit:
   - Life rescue within the immediate isolation zone
   - issuing public warnings to surrounding community
   - Environmental protection by immediate containment, eg. blocking drains
   - firefighting activities

Question 7

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

5. Consider taking immediate action, PREPARING CREWS

Answer 7

5. Consider taking immediate action, PREPARATORY BRIEFING OF CREWS
   - Minimise any direct contact with the material
   - Minimise exposure time
   - Take note of any withdrawal triggers
   * ensure structural PPE and BA is worn, consider using chemical gloves and/or boots where gross contamination is possible
   - Ensure emergency decontamination is established and can be performed
   - Consider LEL monitoring
   - Arrange RIT ASAP
   - Request AV support
   - Consider high risk environments, such as confined enclosures or complex extraction tasks
   * Consult HAZCHEM Emergency Action Code (EAC) if available, for advice on FF medium and potential risks posed by the HAZMAT
   * Consider issuing Public Warnings based on the information obtained from the HAZCHEM EAC and ANZERG.

Question 8

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

Phase 2: - Cold Zone Reconnaissance

Answer 8

Phase 2: - Cold Zone Reconnaissance
Conduct information gathering from a safe location, uphill and upwind from any spill or leak, to answer the following questions:
- What is the hazardous material?
- How can the material affect us?
- How do we best protect ourselves?
- How can we deal with it?

Question 9

*possible exam question (new doctrine)

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

Phase 2: - Cold Zone Reconnaissance

What information sources do we draw from?

Answer 9

Phase 2: - Cold Zone Reconnaissance
- DANGER size up
- HazChem Emergency Action Code (EAC)
- ANZERG
- HAG
- SDS and Atmospheric Monitoring
- Tech Specialists

Question 10

OMS 068 - HAZMAT - Initial Response Operations

7. Further Considerations

Answer 10

7. Further Considerations
   As further information is gathered, the IC should consider:
   - Reclassification of the incident (eg. explosives, radiation, clandestine drug laboratory, suspected CBRN(e) incident). This may necessitate a transfer of control to another agency as per the SEMP.
   - Likelihood of incident escalation due to further failure of containment, surrounding exposure hazards and off-site consequences
   - Responding specialist resources as required.