Introduction

• Train-the-Trainer Course
• Understanding Procedures
• Time allowance
 Objectives
• Select the proper CoBRA® tools to locate information on
potential hazardous chemicals
• Determine evacuation distances using the information in the
ERG 2008 and Explosives tools menu in CoBRA®
• Identify information contained in the Guides and Checklists
contained in CoBRA®
• Describe the various tools in CoBRA® and how they may be
used to respond to an incident
• Record information using the capabilities of the CoBRA®
Incident Manager
 CoBRA Concept
®

• Chemical Biological Response Aide

• A single software package that provides necessary data and
the means to transfer it
• Easy to use, but comprehensive
 Features
• Point-and-click stylus access to standardized
procedures, data, and resource information for
planning and managing response to a CBRN,
mass casualty or terrorist incident
• Simple graphical interface
• Transmits data to other responders, Incident
Commander, and/or EOC via several methods
• Designed to work within existing incident
command systems
Software
 CoBRA Software
®

• CoBRA® – Chemical Biological Response Aide

– Key word is aide
– Meant to work as an aide for the responder
– Notes times and builds Incident Report automatically
– Is meant to make our job easier; doesn’t add work
• Easy to use
• Software is continually being improved using user
input
• Software support phone number 877.233.5789
Logon and Start-Up
• Quick and easy start-up
• Each profile has its own set
of data
• Manage different incidents
simultaneously
– For quickest use, logon with no
incident. Remember,
information will not
automatically be saved
• Different users can use the
same set of hardware
 Login Screen Options, Resume
• To resume an incident
Double-click on the
incident you wish to
continue
• PC Crash
– Computer not behaving
well? If the program is
terminated or the PC
shuts down due to
problems, no data is lost.
Next time the program is
opened, the incident will
still be available with all
the information recorded
from the previous session
 Screen Layout

Data Window

Tree
view

Status
area
 Chem-Bio Tools
• Chem-Bio tools are
interactive databases
• Think of this folder as
a toolbox
• These tools are
where you type in a
query and CoBRA®
gives you information
Emergency Response Guide 2008
• Built upon the official DOT
database
• Search by name, ID number,
or guide page number
• Isolation distances
• Guide pages
• Point-and-click placard
diagrams
• Railroad car and trailer
diagrams
• Works just like the book, just
easier and faster
ERG 2008 Start
ERG 2008, Table of Contents
ERG 2008, Railcar Incident
ERG 2008, Railcar Incident (cont)
ERG 2008, Railcar Incident (cont)
ERG 2008, Road Trailer Incident
ERG 2008, Road Trailer Incident (cont)
ERG 2008, Show Placards
ERG 2008, Name Search
ERG 2008, Narrow the Search
ERG 2008, Isolation Tables
ERG 2008, TIH Symbols
ERG 2008, Guide Pages
Agent ID Introduction
Entering Symptoms
Agent ID After “Done” Button
Agent ID After Most Probable Box
Response Information Data Sheets (RIDS) Database

• Interfaces directly with EPA’s

CAMEO database
• Simple, intuitive search screen
• Detailed data on more than 60,000
hazardous chemicals
– Fire Hazard
– Protective Clothing
– Non-fire response
– Health Hazards
– Physical Properties
– First Aid measures
– Reactivity with other materials
RIDS, Start/Search by Name
RIDS, Search Starts With
RIDS, Narrow the Search
RIDS, Data
RIDS, Print
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Intro
MSDS, Narrow Search
MSDS, Data
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
Opening Screen
Personal Protective Equipment Tool (PPE)
PPE Results Not Found
NFPA Placard Tool

• Enter what you see on the

NFPA placard and CoBRA®
will display the hazard
information
 NIOSH Pocket Guide
• The NIOSH Pocket Guide contains a search
engine virtually identical to the ERG 2004,
both in appearance and usage
• The NIOSH Pocket Guide is based upon the
CAMEO database and will return information
regarding chemicals in its database in a form
similar to the ERG, MSDS, and RIDS tools.
Rad Tools
Rad Effects
Rad Source Conversion—Determining the Activity of a
Sample
Rad Source Conversion—Determining the Mass &
Volume
Rad Unit Conversion Tool
Guides, Introduction
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Checklists
Selecting a Checklist
Selecting/Deselecting Checklist Items

• Click anywhere along

the line or on the
checkbox to “check” the
item
• If you click again on a
checked item, it will
erase the check mark
• Items can be continually
selected and deselected
Blast Effects, Opening Screen
Blast Effects, Damage Levels
Explosives
 Image Tool
• Can import graphics in gif,
jpg, and bmp format inside
the CoBRA® shell
• Interfaces with most PC-
compatible digital cameras
• Quickly determine images
to attach to CoBRA® incident
report
Image, Acquiring
Image, Viewing
Image, Attaching to an incident report
 Forms and Reports Tool
• Integrated forms and reports
within CoBRA®’s automated
Incident Report system
• Allows users to digitally record
information specific to their
paper forms
• Export and import from HTML
and XML formats
• New user forms can be added
after CoBRA®’s are installed and
deployed into the field
Report Tool, Selecting Report Template
Report Tool, Filling Out Report
Report Tool, Exporting the Report
User’s Guide
•
Incident
CoBRA automatically tracks your
®
Report
work and compiles a report
• When ready, send the report via
email
• Add comments to the report
• Send photos of the incident to
off-site experts for assistance
• Program alerts you to the
incoming message and allows you
to forward it
• Critiques and After Action
Reports are made easier, since
there is a complete record of
events
Incident Report, Current Incident Log
Incident Log, Add to Incident Report
Incident Report, Viewing the Incident Log
with Additions
Incident Report, Generate the Incident
Report
Incident Report Generate the Incident Report
Screen Layout
Incident Report, Export
Incident Report, Import
Incident Report, Receive
Incident Report, View
Incident Report, Select Report
Incident Report, Launch Program/Agent ID
Incident Report, View Agent ID
Incident Report, Adopt Agent ID
Incident Report, Adopt Agent ID (cont)
Incident Report, Tools View
Incident Report, Tools View, Launch
Incident Report, Checklist
Incident Report, Checklist Merge
Incident Report, Image
Incident Report, Image Open
Incident Report, Report Viewer
Incident Report, Miscellaneous Entry
Practical Exercises
You have received a credible threat of a chemical release
at 1030 hours. The wording of the threat specifies
“tabun” as part of the device. What initial isolation (all
directions) and protection (downwind) distances will
you recommend in response to a potential large spill?

ERG 2004
Isolate --- feet.
Protect - - - mile (day)
Protect - - - mile (night)
 You respond to the scene of a potential CBRN release.
Victims are exhibiting the following symptoms: eye pain
with a gritty feeling and swollen eyelids, difficulty
breathing, burning sensation in the lungs, and nausea.
What is the most probable agent class?

Agent ID
BLISTER AGENT
What firefighting precautions must be
observed when cyclonite is involved?
RIDS
“Name Is”
• Dangerously explosive
• Do not fight fires in a cargo area
• Evacuate and let burn
What are the melting point and the
specific gravity of cyclonite?
RIDS
CYCLONITE
“Properties”

Melting Point: 401º F

Specific Gravity: 1.82
 According to Kappler’s data, what is the
breakthrough time for Responder Plus fabric,
based upon the permeation test, when exposed to
Sarin?

Chem Compatibility
Tool (CCT)
> 480 Minutes
You have responded to a suspect device placed next to
a railroad car. Among the data on the car, you observe
the UNID# 1005. What type of hazardous material is
most probably present?

ERG 2004
Search by UNID#

Anhydrous Ammonia
What ERG 2004 Guide # will you refer to for
the potential hazards of Anhydrous
Ammonia?

ERG 2004 Guide # 125

 At what distance can you expect minor damage to a
two-story, reinforced concrete building from the blast
of approximately 4000 lbs Net Explosive Weight (NEW)?

Blast Effects

570 Feet
 What is the decomposition
temperature of Chloropicrin?
MSDS

400ºC
What is the Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health (IDLH) concentration for Pentaborane?

NIOSH Pocket Guide

1 ppm
 Summary
• This course provided instruction on:
– Selecting proper CoBRA® tools to locate information on hazardous
chemicals
– Determining evacuation distances using the information in the ERG
2004 and Explosives tools menus
– Identifying information in the Guides and Checklists contained in
CoBRA®
– Describing the various tools in CoBRA® and how they may be used to
respond to an incident
– Transmitting information using the communications capabilities of the
CoBRA® incident report