HAZARDOUS

MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Chapter

Eight Step Process: An Overview

The Eight
Step Process:
An Overview

Textbook Page

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Objectives

Describe The Eight Step Process And Its

Application As A Tactical Incident Management
Tool For Managing On-scene Operations At A
Hazardous Materials Incident.

Describe The Critical Success Factors In

Managing The First Hour Of A Hazardous
Materials Incident.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Introduction
On-scene Response Operations Must Always Be
Based On A Structured And Standardized System
Of Protocols And Procedures.
A Reliance On Standardized Procedures Will Bring
Consistency To The Tactical Operation.
The Eight Step Process Is Widely Used Throughout
The Country By Public And Private Sector
Hazardous Materials Response Teams For The
Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials
Emergencies.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Making The Transition

Experience Has Shown That The Critical Success
Factors In The First Hour Of A Hazmat Response
Will Typically Be:
The Ability Of Responders To Recognize Clues That
The Incident May Involve Hazardous Materials
The Ability Of Responders To Quickly Gain Control Of The
Incident Scene And Separate Responders From The
Problem
The Ability To Establish Command And Control In A
Timely Manner.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Making The Transition

Basic Considerations During The Alerting And
Response Phase Include The Following:
Where Is The Location Of The Incident?
Is The Incident At A Target Occupancy Or Target Hazard
Event?
Is There A Pre-incident Plan For The Location?
Are Hazmats Involved?
Are Hazmats Found At The Location?
Are There Reports Of Any Unusual Odors? Explosions?
Hazardous Materials?
Are Any Injuries Or Casualties Involved?
Are Initial Responders Down?

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

The Eight Step Process

The Eight Step Process Outlines The Basic Tactical
Functions To Be Evaluated And Implemented At
Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials.
Like All SOPs, The Eight Step Process Should Be
Viewed As A Flexible Guideline And Not As A Rigid
Rule.
The Eight Step Process Provides A Flexible
Management System That Expands As The Scope
And Magnitude Of The Incident Grows.

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

The Eight Step Process

These Eight Functions Typically Follow An Implementation
Timeline At The Incident.
The Elements Are:
Site Management And Control
Identify The Problem
Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Select Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment
Information Management And Resource Coordination
Implement Response Objectives
DECON And Clean-up Operations
Terminate The Incident

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 1: Site Management And Control

Function:
Site Management And Control Involves Managing And
Securing The Physical Layout Of The Incident.
Site Management And Control Is A Critical Benchmark In
The Overall Success Of The Response.

Goal:
Site Management And Control Establishes The Playing
Field So That All Subsequent Response Operations Can
Be Implemented Both Safety And Effectively.

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 1: Site Management And Control

Checklist:
During The Approach To The Incident Scene, Avoid
Committing Or Positioning Personnel And Units In A
Hazardous Position.
Caution: Emergency Responders Must Be Aware That
Certain Chemical Releases May Travel Throughout The
Scene And Impact Response Routes

Establish Command Of The Incident And Establish An

Incident Command Post (ICP)
Establish A Staging Area.
Establish An Isolation Perimeter.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 1: Site Management And Control

Checklist:
Establish A Hot Zone Or Inner Perimeter As The Playing
Field.
Do Not Attempt To Enter The Area Unless Having The
Appropriate Level Of Respiratory And Skin Protection,
Based On The Hazards Present.
If Personal Contamination Is Suspected, Isolate All
Personnel Until Emergency DECON Can Be Established.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 1: Site Management And Control

STREET SMART TIPS:
Site Management Establishes The Playing Field For The
Players (Responders).
The Initial 10 Minutes Of The Incident Will Determine
Operations For The Next 60 Minutes
First 60 Minutes Will Determine Operations For The First 8
Hours.
Dont Try To Control More Real Estate Than You Can
Effectively Isolate And Control.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 1: Site Management And Control

STREET SMART TIPS:
Designate An Emergency Evacuation Signal And Identify
Evacuation Rally Points
Remember The First Law Of Hot Zone Operations
Be Trained To Play
Be Dressed To Play
Have A Buddy System With Backup Personnel (Minimum Of
2 In/2 Out)
Have DECON Established
Coordinate With Command And Safety

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 2: Identify The Problem

Function:
Identify The Scope And Nature Of The Problem.
This Includes:

Recognition
Identification
Verification Of The Hazardous Materials
Type Of Container
Exposures

Goal:
To Identify The Scope And Nature Of The Problem, Including The
Type And Nature Of Hazardous Materials Involved.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 2: Identify The Problem

Checklist:
Survey The Incidentidentify The Nature And Severity Of
The Immediate Problem.
Clues For Determining The Identity Of The Materials
Involved Include:
Occupancy And Location
Container Shapes
Markings And Colors
Placards And Labels
Shipping Papers Or Facility Documents
Monitoring And Detection Equipment
Senses

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 2: Identify The Problem

Checklist:
Factors To Consider In Assessing The Type Of Container:
Bulk Versus Non-bulk
Pressurized Versus Non-pressurized
Number Of Compartments
Material(s) Of Construction
Pressure Relief Devices
Conduct Offensive Or Defensive Reconnaissance.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 2: Identify The Problem

Street Smart Tips:

A Problem Well Defined Is Half Solved.

Assume That Initial Information Is Not Correct.
Always Verify Your Initial Information. Verify, Verify, Verify.
Conduct Recon Operations, As Necessary.
Defensive Recon
Offensive Recon

Be Alert For The Presence Of Improvised Explosive

Devices (IED) And Secondary Events.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 2: Identify The Problem

Street Smart Tips:
IED Clues Can Include:
Abandoned Container Out Of Place For The Surroundings
Obvious Explosive Device Components, Such As Batteries,
Timers, Blasting Caps, Charges
Partially Exploded Devices Found
Unusual Or Foreign Devices Attached To Hazmat Containers
Unattended Vehicles Not Appropriate To The Immediate
Environment

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation

Function:
This Is The Most Critical Function That Public Safety
Personnel Perform. The Primary Objective Of The Risk
Evaluation Process Is To Determine Whether Or Not
Responders Should Intervene, And What Strategic
Objectives And Tactical Options Should Be Pursued To
Control The Problem.

Goal:
To Assess The Hazards Present, Evaluate The Level Of
Risk, And Establish An Incident Action Plan (IAP) To Make
The Problem Go Away.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation

Checklist:
Assess The Hazards Posed By The Problem (Health,
Physical, Chemical, Weapons, Other).
Collect, Prioritize.
Manage Hazard Data And Information From All Sources.
Technical Reference Manuals
Technical Information Sources
Hazmat Databases
Technical Information Specialists
MSDS
Monitoring And Detection Equipment

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation

Checklist:
Primary Technical Information Centers Include:
CHEMTREC (800) 924-9300
National Response Center (NRC)
State Single Point Of Contact
Product Or Container Specialists
Regional Poison Control Centers

Air Monitoring and The General Hazmat Behavior Model Are Critical
In Implementing A Risk-based Response.
Stress
Breach
Release
Engulf
Impingement
Harm

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation

CHECKLIST:
Based On The Risk Evaluation Process, Develop Your
Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Offensive Tactics Require Responders To Control/Mitigate
The Emergency From Within/Inside The Area Of High Risk.
Defensive Tactics Permit Responders To Control/Mitigate
The Emergency Remote From The Area Of Highest Risk.
Non-intervention Tactics Pursuing A Passive Attack
Posture Until The Arrival Of Additional Personnel Or
Equipment, Or Allowing The Fire To Burn Itself Out.

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation

Street Smart Tips:
Focus On Those Things That You Can Change And That
Will Make A Positive Difference To The Outcome.
Every Incident Will Arrive At Some Outcome, With Or
Without Your Help.
Theres Nothing Wrong With Taking A Risk.
Pubic Safety Personnel Should View Their Roles As That
Of Risk Evaluators, Rather Than Risk Takers.

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MATERIALS

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 3: Hazard And Risk Evaluation Street

Street Smart Tips:
Hour 1 Priorities Within The IAP Are As Follows:
Establish Site Management And Control.
Determine The Materials/Agents Involved.
Ensure The Safety Of All Personnel From All Hazards.
Ensure That PPE Is Appropriate For The Hazards.
Initiate Tactical Objectives To Accomplish Initial Rescue,
DECON, Medical, And Public Protective Action Needs.
If Criminal Activities Are Involved (E.G., Terrorism Incidents),
Maintain The Integrity Of Potential Evidence.

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment

Function:
Based On The Results Of The Hazard And Risk Assessment
Process, Emergency Response Personnel Will Select The
Proper Level Of Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment.
Two Primary Types Of Personal Protective Clothing Are
Commonly Used At Hazmat Incidents:
Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing
Chemical Protective Clothing

Goal:
To Ensure That All Emergency Response Personnel Have
The Appropriate Level Of Personal Protective Clothing And
Equipment For The Expected Tasks.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment

Checklist:
The Selection Of Personal Protective Clothing Will Depend On
The Hazards And Properties Of The Materials Involved And The
Response Objectives To Be Implemented:
In Evaluating The Use Of Specialized Protective Clothing, The
Following Factors Must Be Considered:
The Hazard To Be Encountered
Including The Specific Tasks To Be Performed
The Level And Type Of Specialized Protective Clothing To Be
Utilized
The Capabilities Of The Individual(s) Who Will Use The PPE
Rememberspecialized Protective Clothing Places A Great Deal
Of Both Physiological And Psychological Stress On An Individual.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment

Checklist:
The Following Levels Of Personal Protective Clothing Are
Typically Utilized By Emergency Responders At Hazmat
Incidents, As Appropriate:
Structural Firefighting Clothing
Chemical Vapor Protective Clothing
Chemical Splash Protective Clothing

Ensure That All Emergency Response Personnel Are

Using The Proper Protective Clothing And Equipment.
Order Additional Personnel And Other Specialized
Equipment And Expertise Early In The Incident.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 4: Select Protective Clothing And Equipment

Street Smart Tips:
Remember That Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing
Is Not Designed To Provide Protection Against Chemical
Hazards.
There Is No One Single Barrier That Will Effectively
Combine Both Chemical And Thermal Protection.
Wearing Any Type And Level Of Impermeable Protective
Clothing Creates The Potential For Heat Stress Injuries.
Personal Protective Clothing Is Your Last Line Of Defense!

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 5: Information Management And

Resource Coordination
Function:

Refers To Proper Management, Coordination, And

Dissemination Of All Pertinent Data And Information
Within The ICS In Effect At The Scene.
Of Particular Importance Is The Ability To Determine The
Incident Factors Involved, Which Functions Of The Eight
Step Process Have Been Completed.

Goal:

To Provide For The Timely And Effective Management,

Coordination, And Dissemination Of All Pertinent Data,
Information, And Resources Between All Of The Players.

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 5: Information Management And

Resource Coordination
Checklist:
Confirm That The ICP Is In A Safe Area.
Note: Personnel Not Directly Involved In The Overall
Command And Control Of The Incident Should Be Removed
From The ICP Area.

Confirm That A Unified Command Organization Is In

Place.
Expand The ICS And Create Additional Branches,
Divisions, Or Groups, As Necessary.
Ensure That All Appropriate Internal And External
Notifications Have Been Made.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 5: Information Management And

Resource Coordination
Checklist:
Confirm Emergency Orders And Follow Through To
Ensure That They Are Fully Understood And Correctly
Implemented.
Make Sure That There Is Continuing Progress Toward
Solving The Emergency In A Timely Manner.
If Activated, Provide Regular Updates To The Local
Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 5: Information Management And

Resource Coordination
Street Smart Tips:
Consider The Security Of The ICP And All Other Incident
Response Areas.
Dont Look Stupid Because You Didnt Have A Plan.
Bad News Doesnt Get Better With Time.
Dont Allow External Resources To Freelance Or Do The
End Run.
Dont Let Your Lack Of A Planning Section Become The
Achilles Heel Of Your Response.
Establish It Early, Particularly In A Campaign Event.
Play Nice Together!

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Function:
The Phase Where Responders Implement The Best
Available Strategic Goals And Tactical Objectives, Which
Will Produce The Most Favorable Outcome.
If The Incident Is In The Emergency Phase, This Is Where
We Make The Problem Go Away.
Common Strategies To Protect People And Stabilize The
Problem Include:
Rescue

Public Protective Actions

Spill Control, Leak Control
Fire Control
Recovery Operations

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Function:
If The Incident Is In The Post Emergency Response Phase,
The Focus Of Response Personnel Will Likely Become:
Scene Safety
Clean-up
Evidence Preservation (As Appropriate)
Incident Investigation.

Goal:
To Ensure That The Incident Priorities (I.E., Rescue, Incident
Stabilization, Environmental And Property Protection) Are
Accomplished In A Safe, Timely, And Effective Manner.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Checklist:
Implement Response Objectives.
Offensive Tactics Require Responders To Control/Mitigate
The Emergency From Within/Inside The Area Of High Risk.
Defensive Tactics Permits Responders To
Control/Mitigate The Emergency Remote From The Area Of
Highest Risk.
Nonintervention Tactics Pursuing A Passive Attack
Posture Until The Arrival Of Additional Personnel Or
Equipment, Or Allowing The Fire To Burn Itself Out.

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Strategy Vs Mode

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Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Checklist
NOTE: Rapidly Changing Incident Conditions May
Require Using Multiple Tactics Simultaneously Or
Switching From One Tactic To Another.
Defensive Tactics Are Always Desirable Over Offensive
Tactics If They Can Accomplish The Same Objectives.
Ensure That Properly Equipped Backup Personnel
Wearing The Appropriate Level Of Personal Protective
Clothing Are In-place Before Initiating Operations.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Checklist
Ensure That Entry Teams Have Been Briefed Prior To
Being Allowed To Enter The Hot Zone.
All Watches, Jewelry, And Personal Valuables Have Been
Removed
Objectives Of The Entry Operation
Safety Procedures, Including Radio Communications, SCBA,
And PPE Checks
Emergency Procedures, Including Placement Of Back-up
Teams
Decontamination Area Location, Set-up, And Procedures

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Checklist:
CAUTION: DECON Should Be Set Up Prior To Initiating
Entry Operations. For Situations Where Civilians Are
Down And Chemical Exposures Are Suspected,
Emergency DECON Must Be Established As Soon As
Possible.
Conduct Regular Monitoring Of The Hazard Area To
Determine If Conditions Are Changing.

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Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 6: Implement Response Objectives

Street Smart Tips:
Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) Can Be Used To Significantly
Reduce Chemical Vapor Levels Within A Building And Increase
The Safety Of Emergency Responders.
Never Touch Or Handle Anything In A Clandestine Lab Operation
Until The Area Has Been Evaluated And Cleared By Bomb
Squad Personnel.
What Will Happen If I Do Nothing?
Surprises Are Nice On Your Birthday But Not On The Emergency
Scene.
There Is A Very Fine Line Between Explosives, Oxidizers, And
Organic Peroxides.
Always Have A Plan B In Case Plan A Doesnt Work!

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Function:
Decontamination (DECON) Is The Process Of Making Personnel,
Equipment, And Supplies Safe By Reducing Or Eliminating
Harmful Substances That Are Present When Entering And
Working In Contaminated Areas.
All Personnel Trained To The First Responder Operations Level
Should Be Capable Of Delivering An Emergency DECON
Capability.

Goal:
To Ensure The Safety Of Both Emergency Responders And The
Public By Reducing The Level Of Contamination On Scene And
Minimizing The Potential For Secondary Contamination Beyond
The Incident Scene.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Checklist:
Ensure That The DECON Operations Are Coordinated
With Tactical Operations.
This Should Include The Following Tasks:
The Decontamination Area Is Properly Located Within The
Warm Zone, In An Appropriate Location.
The Decontamination Area Is Well Marked And Identified.
The Proper Decontamination Method And The Type Of
Personal Protective Clothing To Be Used Have Been
Determined And Communicated, As Appropriate.
All DECON Operations Are Integrated Within The ICS
Organization.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Checklist:
Incidents Involving Large Numbers Of Contaminated
Individuals Will Require A Mass DECON Operation.
Basic Principles Of Mass Casualty DECON:
Anticipate A 5 : 1 Ratio Of Unaffected To Affected
Casualties.
Decontaminate ASAP - Disrobing Is a Form DECON
Outer Clothing May Remove Up To 80% Of The Contaminant
When Chemical Agents Are Suspected.

Water Flushing For A Period Of 3 Minutes Is Generally The

Best Mass DECON Method.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Checklist:
After A Known Exposure To A Hazardous Material,
Responders Must DECON ASAP To Avoid Serious
Effects.
Ensure Proper DECON Of All Personnel Before They
Leave The Scene.
Establish A Plan To Clean Up Or Dispose Of
Contaminated Supplies And Equipment Before Cleaning
Up The Site Of A Release.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Street Smart Tips:
Establishing An Emergency DECON Capability Should Be
Part Of The Incident Action Plan.
DECON Involving Large Numbers Of People Will Be A
Challenge And Will Make For A Long Day.
Remember The Basicsseparate People From The
Problem And Keep Them Corralled Until Emergency
DECON Is Established.
Permeation Can Occur With Any Porous Material, Not Just
PPE.
Sodium Hypochlorite (I.E., Bleach) May Be Used As A
DECON Agent For Equipment When Dealing With
Chemical And Biological Materials.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Step 7: DECON And Clean-up Operations

Street Smart Tips:
Degradation Chemicals, Such As Bleach, Should Never Be
Applied Directly To The Skin.
Never Transport Contaminated Victims From The Scene To Any
Medical Facility Without Conducting Field DECON.

Law Enforcement Operations At Incidents Where Hazmats Are

Involved Create Some Unique Challenges:
Be Aware Of Bad Guys Possibly Being Mixed In With Civilians
Establish A Weapons Safety Officer As Part Of DECON To Ensure
That All Weapons Are Properly Handled And Rendered Safe.

Ensure That Procedures Are In Place When Conducting DECON Of

Contaminated Prisoners.

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MATERIALS

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 8: Terminate The Incident

Function:
This Is The Termination Of Emergency Response
Activities And The Initiation Of Post Emergency Response
Operations (PERO), Including Investigation, Restoration,
And Recovery Activities.

Goal:
To Ensure That Overall Command Is Transferred To The
Proper Agency When The Emergency Is Terminated And
That All Post-incident Administrative Activities Are
Completed Per Local Policies And Procedures.

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MATERIALS

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 8: Terminate The Incident

Checklist:
Account For All Personnel Before Securing Emergency
Operations.
Conduct Incident Debriefing Session For On-scene
Response Personnel.
Command Is Formally Transferred From The Lead
Response Agency To The Lead Agency For All Postemergency Response Operations.
Ensure That The Following Elements Are Documented:
All Operational, Regulatory, And Medical Phases Of The
Emergency, As Appropriate.

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MATERIALS

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 8: Terminate The Incident

Checklist:
All Equipment Or Supplies Used During The Incident.
Obtain The Names And Telephone Numbers Of All Key
Individuals.
Ensure That All Emergency Equipment Is Reserviced,
Inspected, And Returned To Proper Locations.
Conduct A Critique Of All Major And Significant Incidents
Based On Local Protocols.

Although Every Organization Has Its Own Critique Style,

Never Use A Critique To Assign Blame.
Organizations Must Balance The Potential Negatives
Against The Benefits That Are Gained Through The
Critique.
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MATERIALS

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Managing The Incident

Step 8: Terminate The Incident

Checklist:
Rememberthe Reason For Doing The Critique Is To
Improve Your Operations!
Most Critiques Fall Into One Of Three Categories:
We Lie To Each Other About What A Great Job We Just Did
We Beat Up Each Other For Screwing Up
We Focus On The Lessons That Were Learned And The
Changes/Improvements That Must Be Made.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Summary
Emergency Response Operations At Incidents
Involving Hazardous Materials Must Always Be
Based Upon A Structured And Standardized
System Of Protocols And Procedures.
A Reliance On Standardized Procedures Will Bring
Consistency To The Tactical Operation.
The Eight Step Process Is A Tool Used For The
Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials
Emergencies.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Summary
The Eight Step Process Is A Tool Used For The
Tactical Management Of Hazardous Materials
Emergencies.
The Eight Step Process Provides A Framework
Necessary To Translate Planning And
Preparedness Into The Delivery Of An Effective
System For Responding To And Investigating
Incidents Where Hazardous Materials And wmd
Materials May Be Involved.

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MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

Summary
The Eight Step Process :

Site Management And Control

Identify The Problem
Hazard And Risk Evaluation
Select Personal Protective Clothing And Equipment
Information Management And Resource Coordination
Implement Response Objectives
DECON And Clean-up Operations
Terminate The Incident

Chapter 4 - 53

Hazardous Materials - Managing the Incident 2005

HAZARDOUS

MATERIALS

Managing The Incident

Eight Step Process: An Overview

O.T. and The Kid

Chapter 4 - 54

Hazardous Materials - Managing the Incident 2005