Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Emergency Medical Response

 Lesson 44: Hazardous Materials Emergencies

You Are the

Emergency Medical Responder
You are the first emergency medical responder (EMR) to
arrive at the scene of a freight train derailment. According
to the trains placards and signage, several of the cars are
carrying liquefied chlorine gas, at least two cars are leaking
and there is a yellowish cloud
hanging low over the area. The
winds are light, about 5 to 10
miles per hour (mph) and are
coming from the northeast.
How would you respond?
What would you do?

Emergency Medical Response

 Opening Scenario

Identify the substance, is it hazardous?

Follow incident plan
Ensure scene safety
Personal protective equipment

EMRs must quickly be able to identify situations

involving chemicals or to other hazardous material

Emergency Medical Response

 Video - Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Emergency Medical Response

 HAZMAT
Any chemical substance or material that can
pose a threat or risk to life, health, safety and
property if not properly handled or contained
Federal law requires that placards or signs be
placed on vehicles that contain quantities of
hazmat materials
Manufacturers, production and distribution are
required to display the appropriate placards

Emergency Medical Response

 Resources About Hazardous Materials
The Emergency Response
Guidebook
The Chemical Transportation
Emergency Center (CHEMTREC)
hotline 1-800-424-9300
CAMEO online library of data
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH)
resources
Why would use the guidebook what information does is provide?

Emergency Medical Response

 Placards

Emergency Medical Response

 Hazardous Materials Incidents
HZMAT incident is any situation that deals with the
release of a hazardous material
Structured system is established to provide guidance
Indications of the presence of hz materials
Placards
Spilled, splattered, smoking, burning or boiling
materials
Unusual odors
Vapor clouds
Containers that are leaking (with possible frost near
the leak), in deteriorating condition or otherwise
atypical
Your role as an EMR is initial identification

Emergency Medical Response

 Three Safety Zones
Radiation if suspected, full turnout gear/SCBA
Hot zone
Exclusion zone
Greatest amount of danger
Warm zone
Contamination reduction zone
Immediately outside hot zone
Cold zone
Support zone
Removal of all contaminated PPE and
equipment before entering
Emergency Medical Response
 Scene Safety
Establish a clear perimeter between zones

Park uphill/upwind at safe distance

Secure bystanders/keep away from scene

Number of patients

Follow safety precautions to minimize exposure

Concentrate on life-threatening
signs/symptoms

Emergency Medical Response

 Contamination Exposure Routes

Topical
through the skin
Respiratory
inhaled
Gastrointestinal
ingested
Parenteral
intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous)

Emergency Medical Response

 Decontamination Methods
Gross
Soap and copious amount of water
Address immediate life-threatening
situations
Dilution
Reducing the concentration of
contaminate
Absorption
Using another material to
absorb/hold contaminate

Emergency Medical Response

 Decontamination Methods

Neutralization
Chemically altering a
contaminate rendering it
harmless
Isolation/disposal
Biohazard bags/containers

Emergency Medical Response

 Activity

You are assisting at a HAZMAT incident involving

an explosion in a chemical plant. Several of the
employees were exposed when the chemicals
sprayed into the air and onto themselves and their
clothing. Hot, warm and cold zones have been set
up.

Which method of decontamination would be most

appropriate to use?

Emergency Medical Response

 Activity Responses

Gross decontamination of the individuals with soap

and copious amounts of water when they enter the
warm zone.
Isolation/disposal would be used for any
contaminated materials or equipment used

Emergency Medical Response

 You Are the
Emergency Medical Responder
Based on what you see, you recognize the scene
as a HAZMAT incident.

What questions should you

ask yourself immediately?

What initial actions should

you take and why?

Emergency Medical Response

 Hazardous Substance Actions taken next
Where is it coming from HAZMAT incident plan
Condition of container Establish safe zones
Weather conditions Providing care
# of patients involved

Emergency Medical Response