HZ - Chapter 8 Incident Command System and Action Plan Implementation

The backup team is not a rapid intervention team/crew (RIT/RIC)

due to the requirement to wear CPC to enter the hot zone.

First responders should also pay attention to the condition of surrounding buildings before ordering people to shelter in place

evacuation may be a better option than sheltering in place when explosive vapors or gases are involved,

Many factors must be taken into consideration when determining which decon methods and techniques to use

Decontamination (also known as decon) is a process to remove a hazardous material from the public, responders, PPE, and equipment, and/or stop its effects as quickly as possible.

Command Staff have the delegated authority to direct, order, and control resources

If a responder receives a command but is not trained or qualified to complete the command, the responder should notify their immediate supervisor and ask for further guidance or a different assignment.

At hazmat incidents, responders should use a signaling system that will advise personnel inside the danger area when to evacuate

If communication equipment fails, responders can use hand signals to communicate with the Entry Team Leader or Hazmat Safety Officer. Signals may differ depending on the authority having jurisdiction

The buddy system organizes personnel into workgroups containing at least two members so that nobody works alone

If one person becomes incapacitated, the other can call for help or MAYDAY and provide immediate assistance.

Based on the nature of the incident, responders may find victims in a variety of locations, such as out in the open, inside a structure, or within a confined space

If the decision is made to attempt a rescue, safety should be of paramount concern

To help ensure accountability and safety, NFPA and OSHA/EPA require both the buddy system and backup personnel at hazmat incidents

In general, there must be at least four fully equipped and trained responders at the scene of an emergency before an entry team of two may begin hot zone operations

Integrated communications —Enables organizations to send and receive information internally, as well as externally to other disciplines

Modular organization — Organizes response resources according to their responsibilities. Assets within each functional unit may be expanded or contracted based on the requirements of the event.

Hazmat incidents can exhaust local resources, so responders must know the procedure to request additional assets.

Mutual/automatic aid agreements and local, district, regional, state, and national emergency response plans should describe the request process.

When hazardous materials escape their containers, emergency responders may need to perform product control.

Nonintervention may be the only safe option

The IC must address the following factors for large-scale evacuations:

Notification — Alert the public of the need to evacuate and tell them where they should go. Transportation — In advance, plan alternate means of transportation, such as school buses, public transit systems, planes, trains, boats, barges, and ferries Relocation facilities and temporary shelters — Designate appropriate evacuation shelters in the local emergency response plan Reentry — Consider how people will be allowed to return to evacuated areas

The isolation zone encompasses the control zones, and it may be expanded or reduced in size as needed.

Once resources have been committed to an incident, it is easier to reduce the control zone size than to extend

Operations Level First Responders do not receive the training needed to encounter product, which limits offensive actions

Operations Level offensive actions are limited to activities at a safe distance from the product, such as closing remote valves to stop further product from spilling/leaking

responders should establish emergency decontamination at all hazmat incidents

Operations Level or higher first responders conduct emergency decon

• Mass decontamination —

Process of removing life-threatening contaminant(s) from large numbers of people in the fastest possible time to reduce surface contamination to a safe level, with or without a formal decontamination corridor or line.

• Emergency decontamination —

Process of removing life-threatening contaminant(s) from the victim as quickly as possible without regard for the environment or property protection

• Technical decontamination —

Process of using chemical or physical methods to thoroughly remove contaminants from responders (primarily entry team personnel) and their equipment; usually conducted within a formal decontamination line or corridor.

The Operations Section implements the incident act ion plan

Remember, ICS is scalable and adjusts with the incident

Upon encountering injured victims, first responders must always be aware of the potential dangers of contamination and the need to decontaminate as part of the treatment process

Responders must follow the AHJ when prioritizing emergency medical care and decontamination

The protective action zone is the downwind distance from a hazardous materials incident.

Responders should implement protective actions because people in this area may become incapacitated or incur serious or irreversible health effects.

Exposure protection is a defensive control tactic.

Responders should protect exposures from fires and from hazardous materials that are not burning.

Ideally, emergency responders and equipment will be staged at multiple locations in case of an attack on a primary staging area

Some departments use corner staging (also known as quarter staging

The Entry and Backup teams report directly to the Entry Team Leader

The Backup team's only responsibility is to remove stricken entry team member(s) from the hot zone

The Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure is broken into a Command Staff and General Staff

The Command Staff are delegated authority by the Incident Commander (IC) to direct, order, and control resources.

Decontamination Team Leader. The Decontamination Team Leader reports directly to the Hazardous Materials Officer and works closely with the Safe Refuge Area Manager, the Medical Officer, and the Entry Team Leader.

The Decontamination Team Leader is responsible for all decon operations and personnel inside the warm zone

Entry Team Leader. The Entry Team Leader reports directly to the Hazardous Materials Officer and is responsible for all personnel assigned to entry operations

The Entry Team Leader is also responsible for the backup team.

When responding to incidents with financial service needs, the IC establishes a Finance Section and assigns a Finance Section Chief

The Finance Chief must address cost recovery after the incident and may not need to be on-site. Based on relevant ordinances, the AHJ wi l l determine how this section is addressed

Based on the complexity of the incident, there may be multiple Safety Officers assigned to oversee different tasks

The Hazardous Materials Safety Officer reports to the Incident Safety Officer and works in conjunction with the Hazardous Materials Officer and the Entry Team Leader

Hazmat Medical Team Leader. The Hazmat Medical Team Leader reports directly to the Hazardous Materials Officer and works closely with the Decontamination Team Leader, Safe Refuge Area Manager, and Hazardous Materials Safety Officer.

The Hazmat Medical Team Leader is responsible for medical evaluation of personnel, triage, treatment, and maintaining medical records for both responders and victims

The Hazardous Materials Officer (identified in NIMS as the Hazardous Materials Branch Director or Supervisor) reports to the Operations Chief.

The Hazmat Officer is responsible for implementing the hazmat operations identified in the Incident Action Plan.

The IC selects the best option (or combination of options) to protect the public based on the hazard and risk assessment

The IAP includes this information, and the Operations and Logistics Branches implement the options

Distance — Maximizing distance from potential hazards often prevents or reduces harm

The IC controls distance by implementing control zones.

Under ICS, the first person on the scene — or the ranking individual of the first company on the scene — assumes Command of the incident

The IC must have ICS training and be trained, at a minimum, to the hazardous materials Operations Level

While responsible for operations, the IC does not have to actually perform or supervise each function

The IC's responsibilities include: • Establishing the command post (CP) and determining incident priorities • Designating a Safety Officer • Approving the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and Site Safety Plan (SSP) • Approving news releases for distribution to the media through the Public Information Officer (PIO)

For efficient operations at incidents, it is necessary for all levels of emergency responders to have a thorough working knowledge of the ICS

The ICS is implemented to provide an organization for multiagency response, to ensure coordinated use of resources, and to effectively mitigate the incident. ICS is a tool which is customized to fit the emergency.

The Liaison Officer communicates between Command Staff (IC and others) and supporting agencies at the incident

The Liaison Officer monitors operations with an emphasis on potential problems between response agencies. These officers may also provide briefings to supporting organizations and answer questions

The Logistics Section Chief provides facilities, services, and materials in support of the incident

The Logistics Chief also directs units such as the Service Branch and Support Branch.

The Operations Section Chief reports directly to the IC.

The Operations Section Chief manages all incident tactical activities and ensures tactical priorities meet the IC's strategic goals

The Public Information Officer (PIO) relays accurate information between the IC and all stakeholders dur ing and after an incident

The PIO should only relay information that the IC has approved

Command uses information that the Planning Section compiles to develop strategic goals and contingency plans

The Planning Chief is also responsible for specific units such as Resource, Demobilization, and Technical Specialists

The Safety Officer must ensure that all personnel receive safety briefings prior to incident entry

The Safety Officer conducts safety briefings with entry team members before they enter hazardous areas

The Service Branch and Support Branch are within the Logistics Section

The Support Branch includes supplies, facilities, and ground support (vehicle services). These branches do not carry out mitigation activities but provide the necessary support to allow those activities to occur

Technical Specialist - Hazardous Materials Reference. The Technical Specialist - Hazardous Materials Reference reports directly to the Hazardous Materials Officer and works in conjunction with the Planning Section Chief and the Incident Safety Officer.

The Technical Specialist-Hazardous Materials Reference provides technical information assistance to the Hazmat Branch using a variety of reference sources

Staging Area. The Operations Section establishes and maintains the staging area.

The staging area needs to be located in an isolated spot in a safe area where occupants cannot interfere with ongoing operations

The warm zone (also called the contamination reduction zone/corridor) is an area adjoining the hot zone and extending to the cold zone

The warm zone serves as a buffer between the hot and cold zones and includes control points to the decontamination corridor for contaminated people, animals, or items (tools, equipment, or evidence) exiting the hot zone

Victims who are able to extricate themselves from the hot zone and the walking wounded can self-rescue.

These victims may need additional direction and guidance at the scene to avoid spreading contamination

Control zones divide the incident's levels of hazard and access

They are sometimes called hazard-control zones or scene-control zones. Hazard-control zones divide the incident location into hot, warm, and cold, with the hot zone indicating the highest degree of danger

The Incident Commander (IC) is responsible for the overall management of the incident's operational and support activities

This includes developing and implementing strategic decisions, approving requests for resources, and releasing them

At a minimum, four appropriately trained and equipped responders are required to perform tasks in the hot zone — two working in the area itself and two standing by as backup

This is a two-in/two-out policy for hot zone entry

MAYDAY. If an entry team member is unable to safely exit the hot zone or has an event that cannot be resolved within 30 seconds, they should declare "MAYDAY

This is the event trigger activating the backup team

Site Access Control Leader. The Site Access Control Leader reports directly to the Hazardous Materials Officer and works closely with the Entry and Decontamination Team Leaders

This person helps establish control zones, including safe areas of refuge

Using time, distance, and shielding can protect first responders at hazmat incidents

Time, Distance, and Shielding

The IC must understand the outcomes of an on-site risk assessment to determine location and size of the control zones

To determine the perimeter size, the IC should consult with other on-site agency commanders, resources, and the LERP to ensure the spatial requirements and tactical objectives can be met

Time — Limiting responders' exposure time (or time at risk of potential exposure) to hazards and hazardous materials reduces the likelihood they will suffer serious harm

To limit the time of hazard exposure, restrict hot zone work times and rotate work-group personnel frequently.

When arriving at a suspected hazmat/WMD incident, responders should first perform size-up and appropriately equip and protect themselves

To the extent possible, take measures to limit the spread of contamination while quickly establishing the initial isolation zone by implementing the protective action distance

Knowing the limitations and intended use of PPE will assist responders in determining which type affords the protection needed for each incident's conditions

Upon determining that PPE provides inadequate protection needed to achieve response objectives and perform tactics, the IC must revise the IAP.

When protecting people inside a structure, close all doors, windows, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems

Vehicles can offer temporary protection after closing windows and turning off the ventilation system, however, vehicles shelter in place less effectively than buildings

The first priority at any incident is the protection and safety of emergency responders

When implementing the IAP, responders should stay uphill, upstream, and upwind of hazardous materials

Water used during fire-control activities may become contaminated with pollutants or hazardous materials

When possible, the released materials and runoff need to be confined and held until their effect on the environment can be determined

Sheltering in place directs people to quickly go inside or to remain inside a room or a building until danger passes.

When vapors and gases are heavier than air, it may be safest for people trapped in high-rise or multilevel structures to shelter in place.

The person assuming Command acknowledges receipt of the information by repeating it back to the current IC.

While transferring Command, the former IC must announce the change to avoid confusion when others hear a different voice acknowledging messages and issuing orders

the IC may delegate command authority to the following command staff positions:

• Safety Officer • Public Information Officer • Liaison Officer

CPC has more training and monitoring requirements than thermal protection PPE

First responders may also wear ballistic protective clothing which reduces harm from projectiles, yet does not provide protection from hazardous materials.

Never rush to conduct a rescue without appropriate PPE, planning, and coordination under the direction of the IC or AHJ.

First responders without Mission-Specific training should avoid contact with hazardous materials and potentially contaminated victims

Fire control tactics may include applying water or fire fighting foam

Foam has the ability to extinguish pool fires and assist in vapor suppression, reducing the potential of ignition

Tactics are operational tasks the Hazardous Materials Officer selects to accomplish the response strategies

Hazardous Materials Officer evaluates tactics to ensure they will achieve the response strategies

Hazardous materials may damage or contaminate structures or other property

ICs may appropriately decide not to save property when operations pose a risk to people or the environment

Shielding — Shielding places a physical barrier between a responder and the hazard

-Wearing PPE — Positioning personnel so that another object, such as a wall, building, or apparatus, stands between the responder and the hazard

Command Post. The command post (CP) (also called the incident command post) should be established at a safe location (uphill, upwind, and upstream from the incident, if possible

A CP can be a predetermined location at a facility, a conveniently located building, or a radio-equipped vehicle located in a safe area

Implementing the action plan is the third step in the APIE-T process, following analysis and planning.

A crucial step in implementing the action plan is initiating the Incident Management System

All personnel and equipment assigned to the incident must be tracked via an accountability system

Accountability systems are especially important for incidents involving multiple agencies and organizations.

If the only fuel burning is leaking gas, the best method for extinguishing the fire is to shut off the fuel supply.

An explosion may occur if the gas is exposed to an ignition source

When implementing the IAP, responders must select appropriate respiratory protection and PPE to protect the skin and eyes

Anticipate hazards to determine PPE selection, but recognize that PPE selection may need to be modified as a result of monitoring and assessing working conditions

Hazmat technicians may establish a Hazardous Materials Branch/Group to manage technical activities within the control zones

At the discretion of the Hazardous Materials Officer, personnel trained to the Operations Level may also augment the Hazardous Materials Response Team

Backup Team. The primary assignment of the backup team is the emergency removal of entry team members from the hot zone

Backup personnel must be dressed in the same level of personal protective clothing as the entry team

Understanding the purpose, advantages, limitations, and uses of PPE is essential to responder safety.

CPC is not intended for fire fighting activities

Comprehensive resource management — Provides a system to describe, maintain, identify, request, and track resources.

Comprehensive resource management — Provides a system to describe, maintain, identify, request, and track resources.

Manageable span of control — Structures the response organization so that each supervisory level oversees an appropriate number of assets (varies based on size and complexity of the event) so it can maintain effective supervision. Effective span of control may vary from three (3) to seven (7), and a ratio of one (1) supervisor to five (5) reporting elements is recommended.

Consolidated Incident Action Plans — Enables formal documentation of incident goals, objectives, and strategies defined by the unified incident command

Responders trained to the Operations Level with appropriate equipment can undertake defensive control options away from the product release

Defensive control options include: • Damming — Actions to prevent or limit the flow of a liquid or sludge past a certain area. • Diking — Actions using raised embankments or other barriers to prevent movement of a liquid or sludge to another area. • Diverting — Actions to direct and control movement of a liquid or sludge to an area that will produce less harm. • Retention — Actions to contain a liquid or sludge in an area where it can be absorbed, neutralized, or removed. Often used as a longer-term solution than other similar product control methods.

evacuation is the best protective action whenever the time to evacuate exists.

Do not permit evacuees to congregate at the scene. Instead, direct them to a designated place (or area of safe refuge) along a specific route.

The National Incident Management System-Incident Command System (NIMS-ICS) is a widely applicable management system designed to enable effective, efficient incident management by integrating resource management, command and coordination, and communications and information management within a common organizational structure.

Due to the nature of hazardous materials incidents, not all organizational functions may be required at an incident. NIMS

The Planning Section Chief gathers, assimilates, analyzes, and processes the information needed for effective decision making

Information management is a full-time task at large incidents.

Common terminology —Standardizes terms and definitions for resource descriptions, organizational functions, and incident facilities across disciplines

Integrated communications —Enables organizations to send and receive information internally, as well as externally to other disciplines

When an IC suspects an incident involves criminal activities or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) the IC must establish an Intelligence and Information Section

It can be placed at any of several different organizational levels. This Section may be a component of Command, Operations, Planning, or other places in the organizational structure

Emergency response plans must ensure that responders understand their role in the process for notification and requesting additional resources

It is better to dispatch more resources than necessary during the initial response and have units stage for assignment1

The ability to communicate within ICS is absolutely critical. ICS requires using standard or common terminology to ensure efficient, clear communications

Per NFPA 1561, each position within ICS has a title, these titles don't necessarily indicate rank - even Operations Level Responders can be chiefs in command positions

The cold zone (also called the support zone) surrounds the warm zone and is used to carry out all logistical support functions of the incident

Personnel in the cold zone are not required to wear PPE because the zone is considered safe

Whether using evacuation or shelter in place tactics, responders should inform the public as early as possible and provide additional instructions and information throughout the emergency

Prior public education about sheltering in place can improve the effectiveness of this operation during an incident

General Staff are personnel who represent the major functional sections

The functional sections are Planning, Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration

The hot zone (also called the exclusion zone or isolation zone) is the potentially dangerous area surrounding an incident.

The hot zone area has been or could be exposed to gases, vapors, mists, dusts, or runoff. The IC establishes access and egress points to ensure accountability and limit hot zone entry to responders wearing designated PPE.

In the U.S., first responders should implement the local emergency response plan (LERP) if they need to request outside assistance

The local emergency response plan (LERP) provides the procedures for requesting outside assistance at incidents. Procedures will differ depending on the authority having jurisdiction.

Downwind of the incident, evacuation and traffic-control activities may cause responders and evacuees to become contaminated and, consequently, need decontamination

The local emergency response plan should include a preplan for the evacuation (including casualties) of likely terrorist targets such as stadiums and other public gathering places.

Most hazmat incidents involve flammable mate-rials and fire control strategies to prevent ignition and/or extinguish the fire

The main operational tactics used with flammable liquids are fire ex-tinguishment, vapor suppression, and ignition prevention

The cold zone is also used to control access and egress from the incident site

The responder rehabilitation (rehab) station is located in this area

When working under a Unified Command structure, several individuals may be working in Command, however....

only one person will ultimately be in charge of the incident

Responders must follow SOPs and other resources to determine if their PPE is adequate to perform their assigned tasks at an incident

responders must be familiar with each type of PPE that they are trained to wear, its designed purpose (for example thermal protection versus vapor protection), and the advantages and limitations of selecting this equipment

Only one Safety Officer will be assigned for each incident, but they may have Assistant Safety Officers as necessary

the Safety Officer may exercise emergency authority to alter, suspend, or terminate unsafe acts when immediate action is required, the officer generally chooses to correct them through regular lines of authority

Only the Incident Commander is called Commander

there is only one Incident Commander per incident.

Hazmat incidents usually involve multiple jurisdictions/agencies, such as the responsible party, fire, law enforcement, and public health agencies.

unified command structure controls hazmat incidents and allows coordinated response across multiple jurisdictions and agencies with overlapping authority and responsibility