Hazardous Materials Incidents : Surviving the Initial Response

First responders who arrive on the scene of a hazardous materials incident may be assigned to an engine, ladder truck, rescue, or ambulance with very little sophisticated HAZMAT equipment. Despite these limitations, their actions during the initial response will often set the stage for the success or failure of the entire event.

Many incidents start out as minor “routine” events that suddenly escalate when something goes terribly wrong! First responders, despite their best intentions, can quickly become part of any hazardous materials problem. The results can be first responders who are killed or seriously injured, or those who suffer devastating illnesses years after exposure to a hazardous material.

In Hazardous Materials Incidents: Surviving the Initial Response, author Steven M. DeLisi shares his years of experiences in a practical, easy-to-read manner. Even if you have hours of training on hazardous materials response, this book will provide every reader with…

• Practical advice based on the real-life experiences of first responders
• A one-stop source on topics such as atmospheric monitors and class B foam
• Steps to managing “routine” incidents to prevent them from becoming disasters
• Limitations of federal hazardous materials regulations you need to know
• Real-world examples of first responders who won (or lost) the battle with hazardous materials

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 : Beyond the Rule of Thumb
Chapter 2 : What is a Hazardous Materials?
Chapter 3 : The Role of First Responders
Chapter 4 : Planning for a Hazardous Materials Incident
Chapter 5 : How Not to Become Part of the Problem
Chapter 6 : Who First Responders Should Call to Get Help
Chapter 7 : Documents First Responders Can Use for Effective Decision Making
Chapter 8 : Identifying the Material
Chapter 9 : Characteristics of Containers
Chapter 10 : Evaluating the Environment
Chapter 11 : Defensive Actions for First Responders
Chapter 12 : Highway Transportation Incidents
Chapter 13 : Railroad Transportation Incidents
Chapter 14 : Fixed Facility Incidents
Chapter 15 : “Routine” Hazardous Materials Incidents
Chapter 16 : Understanding Atmospheric Monitors
Chapter 17 : Understanding Class B Foam
Chapter 18 : Managing the Initial Phase of a Hazardous Materials Incident
Chapter 19 : Is the Incident a Crime Scene?
Chapter 20 : Cleanup, Recovery, Reimbursement, and Scene Restoration

Appendix A : Incident Command Checklist
Appendix B : Hazardous Materials Warning Labels and Placards
Appendix C : Acronyms and Abbreviations
Index