Chapter 9: Critical Incidents

Weaponized chemical hazards

Usually occur as acts of terrorism or war.

Standard of care

Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm.

What is the most common substances for chemical suicide?

Hydrogen sulfide Hydrogen cyanide

Hazardous Material

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines it as any substance or material that, when released, may cause harm, serious injury, or death to humans or animals, or harm the enviroment.

Orange section of an Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

The actual response guides. It includes includes information for responders on appropriate protective clothing.

After-action Analysis

The agency's goal is to review any weaknesses and implement any additional or corrective training.

You may identify a material using the ERG by finding the following:

The four-digit number on the placard or orange panel on the container. The name of the material on the shipping papers or packaging. The number of the material on the shipping papers or packaging.

Incendiary devices consist of a minimum of three components:

The ignition source. The combustible filler material. A housing/container.

When responding to a bomb threat, get as much information as possible from dispatch. This information guides your actions upon arrival. Information collected should include:

The nature of the complaint. The means of the threat. The time the threat was received. The alleged time of detonation. A description of the device. The location of device. Who received that threat.

What is a key indication of exposure to biological agents?

The onset of symptoms, which may appear within a few hours, or may develop over a period of days.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

The sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the event chemicals are splashed, sprayed, or ingested.

ERG Green Section

Contains information on evacuation details for certain materials.

(RIP-NOT) Isolation

Denying or restricting access to the involved area and removing uninjured and uncontaminated people from that area. The incident commander will designate the triage area, once a preliminary perimeter has been set up.

(True or False) The primary response to an active shooter incident would be to stand by and wait for the SWAT team to arrive. While they are en route, help the injured.

False

CBRNE chemical threats

Include both industrial chemical hazards as well as weaponized chemical hazards.

ERG Orange Section

Lists response guidelines related to Potential Hazards, Public Safety, and Emergency Response.

The orange color-coded pages are the most important part of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). This section has 3 main topics for each substance identified:

Potential Hazards. Public Safety. Emergency Response.

Sight and hearing are considered lower-risk senses when identifying hazmats. Use these senses from a safe distance and look for the following:

Pressure release. Smoke or fire. Liquids, gas leaks, or vapor cloud. Condensation on pipelines or containers. Chemical reactions. Mass casualties.

The National Fire Protection Association has developed a standard facility marking system called the ___.

704 System

Smallpox

A contagious infectious disease that can be transmitted by prolonged face- to-face contact with an infected person, direct contact with infected bodily fluids, and direct contact with infected objects such as clothes.

Chemical suicide

A method of committing suicide by mixing two or more easily acquired chemicals, commonly an acid and a base.

Anthrax

A naturally occurring bacterium. Infection can occur through the skin and by inhalation.Symptom onset occurs between one day to over two months after the infection is contracted. The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Ricin

A neurotoxin derived from mash that is left from the castor bean; causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure leading to death.

Botulinum toxin

A neurotoxin produced by bacterium. It can be absorbed through the eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and broken skin. Symptoms include difficulty seeing, speaking, and swallowing and having double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

A preliminary action guide that helps in identifying materials, outlines basic actions for first responders, recommends areas of protective action, and gives responders an initial safety man.

Incident Command System (ICS)

A system implemented to manage disasters and mass-casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including finance, logistics, operations, and planning, report to the incident commander.

Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

A written plan that describes the actions that an organization will take in response to various major events.

Examples of Class 2 Hazardous Materials

Acetylene Hydrogen Anhydrous ammonia

Primary locations for WMD attacks include:

Airports, subways, schools, places of worship, government buildings, or large public gatherings such as fairs, festivals, or sporting events.

Dirty Bomb

Also known as radiation dispersal devices, are traditional bombs with radioactive materials loaded into the casing. They are not nuclear weapons, because they do not contain the same explosive powder and their radioactive material is already in the bomb.

CBRNE

An acronym for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives. Used to identify types of hazards that a law enforcement officer may face either as part of an accidental release or intentional use of a WMD.

The most common examples of biological weapons include:

Anthrax Smallpox Ricin Botulinum

Hoax Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Any object that is designed to appear as an actual weapon of mass destruction.

If you are the first on the scene of a CBRBE incident, relay information to responding units through dispatch. Your responsibilities might include communicating updates and setting a perimeter. Tell dispatch about:

Any substances involved. The number of people exposed. The type of vehicle, container, or device involved, if known.

Operational Role

At this level responders take defensive action to protect nearby people, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.

Placed on the outside of structures or storage facilities, this large symbol indicates that hazardous products are stored. The diamond-shaped symbol is divided into four segments that indicate the following risks:

Blue: Health hazards. Red: Flammability hazards. Yellow: Reactivity. White: Other (provides information on any special hazards or material).

Symptoms of Exposure to Nerve Agents

Blurred vision, uncontrolled twitching, convulsions, seizures, or respiratory distress.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Defined by Section 790.166 as any device or object that is designed or intended to cause death or serious injury to any human or animal through the release of biological contaminants, toxic chemical agents, incendiary fires, and conventional explosives.

The decontamination process for a meth lab:

Evacuate the occupants and leave the premises immediately. Do not place anything in the patrol car before decontamination or allow the removal of any item from the site. It is necessary to establish a perimeter and follow agency policies and procedures for meth lab response. Remember that many meth labs are mobile and are found in vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) defines nine common classes of hazardous materials.

Explosives. Gases. Flammable liquids and combustible liquids Flammable solid, spontaneously combustible, and dangerous when wet. Oxidizers and organic peroxides. Toxic materials and infectious substance. Radioactive substances. Corrosive substances. Miscellaneous dangerous goods.

(True or False) The ingredients used to produce meth are not always flammable, so there is no risk of a violent explosion or release of toxic gasses. In fact, there is no danger when inhaling the chemical fumes or turning on anything.

False

(True or False) To make accurate decisions, it is essential that you identify the type of hazardous material involved, even if you have to put yourself at risk in the process.

False

Materials like explosives and toxic gases can use the "DANGEROUS" sign as well.

False

Awareness Role

First responders have been trained to initiate the emergency response sequence and notify authorities of the situation. They take no further action beyond notifying the authorities of the release.

Class 3 of Hazardous Materials

Flammable liquids

Advanced levels of training in responding to WMDs and hazardous material:

Hazardous Materials Technicians. Hazardous Materials Specialists. Hazardous Materials Incident Commanders.

When acting as part of the initial response to an incident, you should obtain the necessary information from dispatch and immediately do the following:

Identify the type of incident or threat. Determine the appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE). Establish the ICS. Set up a command post. Determine the resources needed, including the assistance of other agencies. Determine whether to shelter in place or evacuate (with evacuation routes and collection points).

Only a property equipped and trained officer should approach any potential hazmat situation, always using extreme caution. If you cannot approach from upwind, your next choice is crosswind. The main objectives are to:

Isolate the area without entering it. Keep people away from the scene. Make sure that people are upwind and out of low-lying areas.

Meth lab

Locations where methamphetamine is manufactured. Can be as small as a soda bottle or as large as a warehouse.

Active shooters may be motivated by:

Loss of significant relationships. Changes in financial status, losing a job or getting fired. Changes in living arrangements. Major adverse changes to life circumstances. Being bullied or feeling humiliated or rejected.

Corrosive substances

Materials in this category include acids, solvents, or other materials that may cause irreversible damage to human tissues.

Explosives

Materials that are capable of an instantaneous release of energy.

Gases

Matter without a definite shape or size. No fixed volume or shape; takes the shape of its container.

Some examples of ___ are molten sulfur, PCBs (poly-chlorinated biphenyls), and hazardous waste.

Miscellaneous dangerous goods.

Secure the scene to isolate exposed victims and the contaminated area. Tactics include:

Monitor entry to the scene. Ensuring public protection by evacuating or protecting the area. Confining and containing all contaminated victims. Determining if the scene is or can be made safe for operations. Protecting the scene and any device. Coordinating with other agencies to provide security and control perimeters.

The ERG's Public Safety topic has three subsections:

Notification Protective clothing Evacuation

Industrial chemical hazards

Occur when hazardous materials are released due to incidents, such as accidents involving tanker or semi-trucks, railroad cars, gasoline stations, and manufacturing plants.

On-Scene Debriefing

Officers are advised of the materials to which they may have been exposed, signs and symptoms of overexposure, and who to contact if they notice signs or symptoms of exposure. During the incident critique phase, officers provide information on operational strengths and weaknesses. In the after-action analysis, the agency's goal is to review any weaknesses and implement any additional or corrective training.

(RIP-NOT) Recognition and identification

Officers must be able to recognize that an incident involves WMDs or hazardous materials and identify the materials involved. Avoid exposure, most materials can be identified from a safe distance.

Incident Critique

Officers provide information on operational strengths and weaknesses.

All awareness-level responders should follow agency policies and procedures to terminate their involvement in a hazmat incident. The three steps are:

On-scene debriefing. Incident critique. After-action analysis.

What is your second responsibility in a CBRNE situation?

Protect other people and property.

What is your first responsibility in a CBRNE situation?

Protect yourself. If you get hurt, the situation can only get worse.

Patrol officers are typically trained to respond at the awareness level and have only four responsibilities or goals, sometimes abbreviated as

RIP-NOT

RIP-NOT

Recognition and identification Isolation Protection NOTification

Examples of chemical WMDs include:

Sarin, a nerve agent. Chlorine, a choking agent.

Shelter in place

Take immediate shelter where you are—at home, work, school or in between—usually for just a few hours.

Flammable Liquids/ Combustible Liquids

These materials burn in the presence of an ignition source.

Toxic Materials and Infectious Substance

These materials include medical waste and biological hazards.

Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides

These materials may cause spontaneous combustion or increase the intensity of a fire.

ERG Yellow and Blue Section

These sections help you identify the material.

Active shooter's objective

They plan for mass murder, not traditional criminal acts, such as robbery or hostage-taking.

(True or False) A direct relationship usually exists between the size of the container and the size of the affected geographical area. Therefore, the bigger the container, the bigger the area covered.

True

(True or False) A primary indicator of chemical exposure is the quick onset of symptoms can appear within minutes or hours.

True

(True or False) Anything that holds two or more classes of hazardous materials must display a "DANGEROUS" placard and may use it instead of the specific placard for each class of material.

True

(True or False) Biological weapons contain living organisms and are unpredictable and uncontrollable when released.

True

(True or False) Commercial vehicle operators are required to carry documents that list the contents of their shipment. These documents are called shipping papers.

True

(True or False) Dangerous chemicals used in the manufacturing process of meth can be found anywhere in a home, vehicle, vessel, shed, motel, or other location.

True

(True or False) Have a disaster plan in place for your family members and pets. Having a plan in place will help you concentrate better on your assigned duties without being distracted or worried about the well being of your family.

True

(True or False) ICS has helped officers throughout both Florida and the nation handle situations, such as large vehicle crashes, hurricanes, wildfires, large social gatherings, and missing persons.

True

(True or False) In special circumstances, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) does not require placecards.

True

(True or False) It is a second-degree felony to unlawfully manufacture, possess, sell, deliver, send, mail, display, use, threaten to use, attempt to use, conspire to use, or make readily accessible to others a "hoax weapon of mass destruction."

True

(True or False) Many active shooters show their desire to hurt others through social media posts, journal writings, and statements made to others.

True

(True or False) Regulations govern the use of placecards or labels on vehicles and facilities that store hazardous materials.

True

(True or False) The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires most vehicles transporting hazardous materials to display placecards that describe the class of hazardous materials on board.

True

(True or False) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all pesticides and some other chemical substances to show warning labels on the outside of the container to indicate harmful contents.

True

(True or False) The current tactics for handling an active shooter situation focuses on immediately locating the active shooter and neutralizing him, her, or them before helping the injured.

True

(True or False) The shape of the container involved in the hazmat incident can give useful information on the type of hazard.

True

(True or False) To identify the material, you may have to look at documents or shipping papers or interview the transport driver or facility staff.

True

(True or False) When confronted with an active shooter situation, you may encounter a chaotic situation with large numbers of injured people, fleeing crowds, and secondary hazards, such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

True

Aside from written or verbal threats, possible indicators of a biological attack include:

Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals. An unusually high occurrence of respiratory problems in diseases that typically cause a non-pulmonary syndrome. Unexplained damage and ruin to crops and agriculture products. Abnormal swarms of insects. Unscheduled or unusual spraying or fogging. Casualty distribution that corresponds with wind direction. Abandoned spray or distribution devices. The appearance of containers from laboratory or biological supply houses or bio-hazard cultures.

(RIP-NOT) Protection

Using personal protective equipment and evacuating nearby structures for the safety of both you and the public.

The main types of containers include

portable, fixed, and transportation

Class 1 Hazardous Materials

Explosives

The ERG's Emergency Response topic has three subsections:

Fire Spill or leak First Aid

(RIP-NOT) Security

Focus more on keeping people out than letting people in. With that as your top priority, you should also try to keep the contamination from spreading by relocating contaminated and injured people to the triage area and keeping them from leaving the scene.

Examples of Class 4 Hazardous Materials

Magnesium Sulfer Calcium carbide

Blue section of an Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

References the material in alphabetical order of its name and identifies the appropriate guide number to reference in the Orange Section.

Yellow section of an Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

References the material in order of its assigned 4-digit ID number/UN/NA number.

Radioactive substances

Substances that contain atoms of unstable isotopes that can spontaneously emit radiation. This category includes nuclear waste, radioactive medical materials, and X-ray equipment.

Active Shooter

The FBI defines an ___ as one or more individuals participating in a random or systematic killing spree demonstrating their intent to harm others with a firearm.

Flammable Solids

These materials are neither liquid nor gas and burn in the presence of an ignition source. Some ignite spontaneously or in the presence of heat or friction. Others are dangerous when wet.

(True or False) Areas surrounding meth labs often have dead vegetation.

True

A common policy is to out of the building at least ____ minutes before the alleged time of detonation and not return until the building has been cleared.

30

Fourth step for conducting a planned search for a potential bomb inside a building:

A building's interior search should go from bottom to top, beginning with the basement areas, including utility rooms and areas of heating, cooling, electrical power, and telephone equipment.

Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED)

A motor vehicle used as a bomb is referred to as a ___. They can be very powerful and dangerous. They are capable of carrying extremely large amounts of explosives.

Indicators of a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) include the following:

A threat that specifically mentions explosives in a vehicle. A vehicle parked suspiciously close to a building or in a restricted parking area. A vehicle that is unfamiliar to building occupants or seems to have a heavy load. A vehicle that has a strange smell or leaks powder or liquid. Vehicle driver or passenger leaves in a hurry. Bomb dog alerting officers that the vehicle is a threat.

Indicators of a VBIED

A threat that specifically mentions explosives in a vehicle. A vehicle that is parked suspiciously close to a building or in a restricted parking area without a proper decal or sticker. A car that is unfamiliar to building occupants or seems to have a heavy load, indicated by riding low on its rear axle. A vehicle that has a strange smell or leaks powder or liquid. Reports that a driver or passenger exited a vehicle and left hurriedly. A bomb dog alerting officers that a vehicle is a threat.

Examples of Class 8 Hazardous Materials

Acid

Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

An ___ is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than conventional military action and can be made from commercially available materials.

First step for conducting a planned search for a potential bomb inside a building:

An exterior search of the building perimeter. Follow this by searching evacuation routes, evacuee collection points, staging areas, and command posts.

Mail bombs can be difficult to detect. Some possible signs are envelops and packages that:

Are rigid. Have too much postage. Have misspellings of common words. Are handwritten. Have poorly typed addresses. Have discoloration. Have protruding wires. Have strange odors.

Examples of Class 5 Hazardous Materials

Bleach

Secondary explosive devices

Bombs placed at the scene of an ongoing emergency response that are intended to cause casualties among responders.

Second step for conducting a planned search for a potential bomb inside a building:

Conduct an interior search. Be sure to look for any items that seem out of place, and search potential hiding spots.

Class 8 of Hazardous Materials

Corrosive materials

What is the major issue in determining whether to search or evacuate the premises because of bomb threat?

Credibility of the threat.

Examples of Class 1 Hazardous Materials

Dynamite Black powder Small arms ammunition

(True or False) A dirty bomb is not a hazmat incident.

False

NPFA 704 Diamond (Red)

Flammability hazards

Class 4 of Hazardous Materials

Flammable solids

Class 2 of Hazardous Materials

Gases

Examples of Class 3 Hazardous Materials

Gasoline

NPFA 704 Diamond (Blue)

Health hazards

Incendiary devices consist of a minimum of three components:Their numbers are believed to consist of

Ignition source. A combustible filler material. A container.

Examples of Class 9 Hazardous Materials

Lithium ion batteries Dry ice Magnetized metals Auto-inflating devices Asbestos Molten sulfur Hazardous waste

Incendiary device

Material or chemicals designed and used to start a fire.

Examples of Class 6 Hazardous Materials

Medical waste

Class 9 of Hazardous Materials

Miscellaneous dangerous goods.

Examples of Incendiary Devices

Molotov Cocktail Napalm Firebombs

Examples of Class 7 Hazardous Materials

Nuclear waste

Common methods used in making meth:

On-pot "Shake and Bake" method Red Phosphorous method "Nazi" (anhydrous ammonia) method

NPFA 704 Diamond (white)

Other (provides information on any special hazards of the material).

Class 5 of Hazardous Materials

Oxidizers and organic peroxides

In a bomb situation, the decision to conduct a search depends on different factors:

Permission to search a building or area. The level of risk for those conducting the search. The credibility and amount of detail provided in the threat, as discussed in the previous lesson. Additional threats or the possibility of secondary devices. Agency policies on officers searching for explosives.

In a bomb threat situation, the decision to conduct a search depends on different factors:

Permission to search a building or area. The level of risk for those conducting the search. The credibility and amount of detail provided in the threat. Additional threats or the possibility of secondary devices. Agency policies on officers searching for explosives.

Sight and hearing are considered low-risk sense when identifying hazmat situations. Use these senses from a safe distance and look for the following:

Pressure release Smoke or fire Liquids, gas leaks, or vapor cload Condensation on pipelines or containers Chemical reactions Mass casualities

Class 7 of Hazardous Materials

Radioactive materials

NPFA 704 Diamond (Yellow)

Reactivity

Symptoms of Exposure to Choking Agents

Respiratory distress, burning of the lungs and airways, choking, and coughing.

Many places require facilities to keep documents that outline the type of hazardous materials stored or manufactured on site. One example of a facility document is the.....

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Third step for conducting a planned search for a potential bomb inside a building:

Search the publicly accessible areas, including entryways and foyers, lobbies, waiting areas, restrooms, cleaning and storage closets, and elevator shafts.

Green section of an Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

Suggests initial evacuation or shelter in place distances (protective action distances).

What is the intention of a dirty bomb?

To cause psychological panic and physical harm. Also, health effects might include gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial infections, and hemorrhaging.

Class 6 of Hazardous Materials

Toxic materials and infectious substances

A creative bomb maker can construct an explosive device to detonate through a number of methods. Some examples include:

Tripwires Pressure switches Motion detectors Infared beams Remote triggers

(True or False) Because dirty bombs require a casing and a detonation mechanism, these pieces may be present at the scene of an explosion.

True

(True or False) Evacuation distance from a vehicle should be much greater than evacuation distance from building because a VBIED is potentially very large, and pieces of the vehicle can act as shrapnel.

True

(True or False) In an emergency, if the owner or building representative cannot be located, you may conduct the search without consent.

True

(True or False) In most cases, you must ask the owner or building representative to search the property, and they must give you permission.

True

(True or False) Military devices can be easily acquired and are generally recognizable.

True

(True or False) Military devices can be easily aquired and are generally recognizable.

True

(True or False) When approaching a possible bomb situation, you must decide whether to turn off radios and radio wave-transmitting devices. It may prevent the accidental triggering or detonation of a bomb designed to explode by radio waves.

True

Dirty bomb

____ are traditional bombs with radioactive materials loaded into the casing. They are not considered nuclear weapons because they do not contain the same explosive power and their radiation is preloaded, whereas nuclear weapons create radioactivity upon detonation.