The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed three new rules which would clarify the evaluating and prioritizing of chemicals which may pose health risks for workers and the public. These new rules cover more than 62,000 chemicals.
One of the worst disasters in recent history occurred in 2013 at the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas, when an explosion and fire killed 15 people and injured hundreds more. There were more than 150 buildings in the area that were also destroyed, including several schools located within the vicinity of the plant. The explosion occurred in the evening, long after school children had gone home for the day. Had the incident happened while schools were in session, the number of children killed would likely have been extensive.
According to recent government studies, there are about 12,000 schools which are located within one mile of facilities which house dangerous chemicals. The EPA has required companies to have emergency plans in case of a toxic chemical release or other incident – that is how hazardous these chemicals are. Yet many have schools located withing walking distance.
Studies also show that not only are children in these schools at risk of danger from a hazardous incident, they are also being exposed to hazardous air pollutants which are known to affect neurological and respiratory health.
There is no federal law or regulation that restricts or stipulates distances between schools and facilities that use or store hazardous materials. Any regulations that do exist are at the local level and usually only apply to new schools being built, not to existing buildings.
The discussions of this issue are ongoing, with no real concrete solutions on the immediate horizon. Pushing for safer industrial processes is one factor being addressed, but it does not address what happens in the event of an actual disaster. Those answers appear to still be left to the state and municipalities to figure out.
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Planning the Response examines the critical process of choosing response objectives and response options. Covers information gathering, hazards analysis, and command's role in developing an incident action plan. Explains how responders use facts, science, and circumstances to plan rescue operations, protective actions, select PPE, and choose a decontamination protocol.
Dan Keenan has been a firefighter and HazMat responder for the City of Oakland Fire Services Agency since 1991. He is certified by CSTI (California Specialized Training Institute) as a Hazardous Materials Instructor. Dan felt a need to promote hazardous materials training with the use of live chemical demonstrations, and this interest fueled the development of his course called Fun with Chemistry. Dan received the James H. Meidl Instructor of the Year Award in 1999 - sponsored by California State Fire Marshal. He is a consultant to HazTech Systems Inc., manufacturers of the HazCat Kit®. He has been teaching Field Identification of Unknowns classes for over ten years. Dan has made use of his experience and expertise to teach Advanced Field Identification of Unknown Hazardous Substances to federal EPA On-Scene-Coordinators at their Nationwide Training conference. Dan is also a consultant with Davis Defense Group where he teaches response to Chemical Warfare Agent laboratories. In this clip, Dan discusses the pivotal role that Hazmat Technical Specialists have at an incident.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Planning the Response examines the critical process of choosing response objectives and response options. Covers information gathering, hazards analysis, and command's role in developing an incident action plan. Explains how responders use facts, science, and circumstances to plan rescue operations, protective actions, select PPE, and choose a decontamination protocol.
Retired from the Sacramento (CA) Fire Department where he served since 1965, Jan Dunbar was Division Chief of Special Operations where he was responsible for developing the hazardous materials response team program, supervising the swiftwater rescue program, and the development of a county-wide response approach to terrorism and terrorism training. He has served as Chairman of the California State Fire Marshal's committee to develop a hazardous materials specialist course, was a member of NFPA's Technical Committee on Chemical Protective Clothing, and IAFC's Committee on Hazardous Materials. He currently is a consultant for the California State Office of Emergency Services, and on occasion to James Lee Witt and associates, LLC. In this clip, Jan discusses the role of the Incident Commander at a hazmat/WMD incident.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Planning the Response examines the critical process of choosing response objectives and response options. Covers information gathering, hazards analysis, and command's role in developing an incident action plan. Explains how responders use facts, science, and circumstances to plan rescue operations, protective actions, select PPE, and choose a decontamination protocol.
Ludwig Benner is president of Ludwig Benner & Associates, a firm specializing in investigation. As a chemical engineer and registered Professional Engineer, his investigation experience includes a variety of vehicle, aircraft, fire, hazmat, and industrial incidents. Previously he conducted or managed hazmat transportation accident investigations for the National Transportation Safety Board. He also teaches courses on investigation issues. In this clip, Ludwig discusses things hazmat responders need to look for in order to change the outcome of a hazmat/WMD incident.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Planning the Response examines the critical process of choosing response objectives and response options. Covers information gathering, hazards analysis, and command's role in developing an incident action plan. Explains how responders use facts, science, and circumstances to plan rescue operations, protective actions, select PPE, and choose a decontamination protocol.
Mike Hildebrand is a senior partner and hazardous materials consultant with Hildebrand & Noll Associates. Mike was formerly Director of Safety and Fire Protection for the American Petroleum Institute and was a member of the NFPA Standards Council. He also served as a Team Leader on the Prince George's County (MD) HazMat Team. The writer of numerous articles and texts, Mike co-authored the widely-circulated text Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident, which introduced the concept of the 8 Step Process. In this clip, Mike discusses the primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency plans an incident commander needs to have ready at a hazmat/WMD incident.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Whether you are trained to the operations, technician or command level, the first task of every first responder to a hazmat or WMD emergency is the same. It's size up - or what the NFPA standard on hazmat competencies calls Analyzing the Incident. A systematic risk-based response begins with an analysis of the problem - assessing the hazards, evaluating the potential consequences and then choosing the best response actions.
Dan Kennan has been a firefighter and hazmat responder for the City of Oakland Fire Services Agency since 1991. He is certified by CSTI (California Specialized Training Institute) as a Hazardous Materials Instructor. Dan felt a need to promote hazardous materials training with the use of live chemical demonstrations and this interest fueled the development of his course called Fun With Chemistry. Dan is a past recipient of the James H. Meidl "Instructor of the Year" Award sponsored by California State Fire Marshal. He is a consultant to HazTech Systems Inc., manufacturers of the HazCat Kit ®. He has been teaching Field Identification of Unknowns classes for over ten years. He has made use of his experience and expertise to teach Advanced Field Identification of Unknown Hazardous Substances to federal EPA On-Scene-Coordinators at their Nationwide Training conference. Dan is also a consultant with Davis Defense Group where he teaches response to Chemical Warfare Agent laboratories. In this clip, Dan discusses the issues and dangers when cylinders are involved in a hazmat incident.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Whether you are trained to the operations, technician or command level, the first task of every first responder to a hazmat or WMD emergency is the same. It's size up - or what the NFPA standard on hazmat competencies calls Analyzing the Incident. A systematic risk-based response begins with an analysis of the problem - assessing the hazards, evaluating the potential consequences and then choosing the best response actions.
Maria Duazo is a Hazmat Specialist and emergency responder with the Contra Costa Health Services Department and often takes the role of Public Information Officer for the agency. She conducts hazmat programs on chemical safety and is an outreach instructor with the California Specialized Training Institute. She is also a past recipient of the California Fire Marshal's Instructor of the Year award. In this clip, Maria discusses how details of the incident can help in sizing up the unknowns of the hazardous materials involved.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
The Hazmat Legends Series presents more than 25 nationally recognized leading hazmat responders - with more than 900 years of combined boots on the ground experience. As influential instructors, widely read authors and hazmat responders, they have seen it all and now in this exciting and comprehensive series, they explain how and why hazmat teams do the things they do. These exciting programs cover it all - whether you have new recruits to train or want to provide a stimulating refresher for your team.
Whether you are trained to the operations, technician or command level, the first task of every first responder to a hazmat or WMD emergency is the same. It's size up - or what the NFPA standard on hazmat competencies calls Analyzing the Incident. A systematic risk-based response begins with an analysis of the problem - assessing the hazards, evaluating the potential consequences and then choosing the best response actions.
Cheryl Weaver-Docimo is the corporate liaison and a trainer for Docimo & Associates, LLC of Stamford, Connecticut. A paramedic and 26-year veteran of the fire and EMS services, she also serves as a volunteer and a career staff member with various departments in South Central Pennsylvania. In addition, she has ten years of experience in radiological technology and 19 years combined experience in education for emergency services, healthcare and the general public. In this clip, Cheryl discusses detection of radiological hazards and container labels.
And now for a limited time, the Hazmat Legends Series, along with four resource CD-ROMs with PowerPoint presentations, testing materials, risk management case studies, and additional resources to help instructors with seminar presentations, can be yours for FREE when you purchase the Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident Series. Check here for more details . . .
