Emergency Medical Response

Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Emergency Medical Response

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 train’s placards and signage, several of the cars are carrying liquefied chlorine gas, at least two cars are leaking

Lesson 44: Hazardous Materials Emergencies

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

EMR’s 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?”

Placards

Emergency Medical Response

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•Where is it coming from•Condition of container•Weather conditions•# of patients involved

Actions taken next•HAZMAT incident plan•Establish safe zones•Providing care