By Steven M. De Lisi
Ask most firefighters about their strategy when responding to a hazardous-materials incident, and their answer would likely be “The Rule of Thumb”: When you can cover your view of the incident with your thumb, you’re far enough away! While this approach correctly emphasizes the defensive strategy taught to first responders during the past two decades, the dawn of the 21st century has seen a potential shift in the role firefighters play when responding to incidents that involve hazardous materials. Are our firefighters prepared to meet these new challenges? Consider the following.
Today there is greater awareness that abandoned hazardous waste could represent a potential environmental crime scene. This waste includes not only chemicals but also improperly disposed medical waste. Yet, how many firefighters are aware that should they respond to a report of abandoned materials, their actions—should they choose to approach or handle any containers—could jeopardize not only their personal safety but also the credibility of any subsequent criminal investigation?
Many firefighters have responded to minor chemical spills at commercial or industrial facilities as well as incidents at residential occupancies. The latter often involve situations where a homeowner has broken a thermometer containing mercury, dropped a bottle of pesticide, or even spilled muriatic acid in the garage. Firefighters may also field questions from citizens regarding old chemicals stored in their attics or basements or may have the misfortune of these same individuals bringing the items to the fire station for disposal. Each of these events usually challenges firefighters with questions on proper cleanup and disposal, while those that involve spills of chemicals in or near a building also include the age-old query, “Is it safe to go back in?”
Many fire departments have recently equipped emergency response units with various types of portable atmospheric monitors to detect and measure the presence of gases and vapors that could be hazardous to their personnel and the public. Despite these good intentions, characteristics regarding the safe and effective use of these monitors, such as calibration procedures, response times, cross-sensitivity, and relative response curves, may be a mystery to those using the devices.
Fire department personnel routinely use various types of absorbents to clean up small spills of diesel fuel and gasoline resulting from motor vehicle accidents, as opposed to the once-accepted practice of washing these materials away with a hose stream. Yet, there is sometimes confusion as to which absor-bent is appropriate and just how to manage the contaminated absorbent once cleanup is complete. Furthermore, there is often debate regarding the use of emulsifiers, otherwise known as surface washing agents, on fuel spills that occur on land.
Locating underground utilities prior to many defensive hazardous-materials operations, such as digging retention areas to contain a fuel spill, is critical. Damage to underground utilities by first responders can violate the law as well as pose substantial risks for death or serious injury. Firefighters should know the warning signs that indicate the presence of underground utilities (beyond just signs indicating as much) and how to contact those responsible for locating underground facilities during emergencies.
The hazards posed to firefighters from chemical and biological warfare agents cannot be overstated. Yet, of greater importance is that the defensive posture promoted for years as virtually the only option for first responders rarely addressed rescue. While the likelihood of a rescue during an industrial hazardous-materials incident has always existed, the potential for a rescue scenario involving hundreds of citizens is now greater than ever as domestic terrorist events loom on the horizon. Do we expect those we have told for years to “take no action beyond initial assessment” to suddenly perform entries into hazardous areas for the purpose of large-scale rescue? If so, are these individuals properly trained and equipped?
The rules of hazardous-materials response have changed and, subsequently, so have the roles and responsibilities of those we entrust with the safety of our communities. Whether we expect our firefighters to clean up fuel spills, answer questions regarding the safety of citizens in the aftermath of minor chemical spills, operate in proximity to underground utilities, use atmospheric monitors, or rescue those affected by weapons of mass destruction, we have moved far beyond “The Rule of Thumb.” Are we ready?
