According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke causes more deaths than flames do. The fumes from the smoke quickly overcome people and unable to breathe. As the smoke sucks the concentration of oxygen from the room, they begin losing their coordination and judgment abilities and quickly fall into unconsciousness.
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.
A study by the FBI confirmed what many already knew – the United States is experiencing more mass shootings than ever. What was once a rare news report has become commonplace on nightly newscasts. Awareness of these potential threats by law enforcement, emergency management, emergency responders, and others involved in the aftermath of a terrorist attack is critical.
A recent safety bulletin issued by the National Fire Protection Association describes how toxins present on the protective hoods used by firefighters may carry significant consequences. According to the announcement, “contaminant exposures can pose significant immediate and long-term dangers to firefighters’ health.” One of these dangers is a high risk of cancer, a conclusion of a study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Personal protective equipment is critical for the safety of firefighters, however, the concern regarding the protective hoods comes from the hood’s direct exposure to the skin of the person wearing it. Compounding the issue is that the face and neck had already been identified as significant exposure areas. Firefighter protective hoods have now been labeled as “the most penetrable piece of equipment.”
In order to help reduce the risk of toxic exposure, firefighters are instructed to follow NFPA 1851 guidelines:
Source:
https://www.nfpa.org/protectivehoods
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.
Firefighters deal with death, loss, and trauma on a regular basis. Being exposed to these events on an almost daily basis can take an emotional toll. Occupational stress often develops into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If not recognized and treated, PTSD can wreak havoc in a firefighter’s life and far too often leads to depression, substance abuse, or suicide. The latest statistics reveal that one in five firefighters will suffer from symptoms of PTSD at some point in their career.
For too long, the issue of firefighter PTSD wasn’t something that was widely discussed, but over the past several years, it has emerged into the open and is finally being addressed.
The International Association of Firefighters has teamed up with Advanced Recovery Systems and have announced the opening of a new treatment center to help firefighters who are battling PTSD. The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is located on 15 peaceful acres in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The center is just 30 minutes from Washington DC and an hour’s drive from Dulles International Airport.
The center’s mission is “to offer treatment for successful recovery from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions and help IAFF members return to the job.” The one-of-a-kind center is strictly for IAFF members who are struggling with PTSD, addiction, and other related behavioral health challenges. The treatment received at the center is completely confidential.
More information about the center can be found at their website, or by calling 855.900.8437.
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 . . .
