Just two weeks ago we lost a dozen firefighters and speculation is there was no formal Incident Command set-up/communicated in the response (based on radio traffic from the scene and responders). Here is another SIGNIFCANT INCIDENT involving a FULL Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) tanker truck being struck by a train. Note the appartus placement of the […]
The purpose of this guide is to help communities plan for hazardous materials incidents. Rural areas with limited resources may need to plan at the county or regional level. State officials seeking to develop a state emergency plan that is closely coordinated with local plans can adapt this guidance to their purposes. Likewise, officials of
As a safety professional, former FF/EMT, HAZMAT Coordinator, and LEPC Chairperson I can personally attest to the value of what “preplanning” can do for a business, the community and its responders. Unfortunately in the current economic climate, most businesses, communities, and FD’s have had to set preplanning efforts to the side due to budget constraints.
This is really sad! What is really sad is that “elected officials” had no idea of their responsibilities as it relates to the safety of their community. The one thing that is missing from the report is the lack involvement by the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). It is this commission, appointed by the governor
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Foundation%20proceedings/High_Challenge_Warehousing-Ammonium_Nitrate_as_a_Typical_Cas.pdf
One type of valve commonly used to control water flow to fire sprinkler systems is known as an OS&Y gate valve. OS&Y means “outside stem and yoke” or “outside screw and yoke”. OS&Y gate valves operate by opening and closing via a gate, which lowers into or rises out of the valve. Raising the gate
A new revision (dated March 13, 2013) to the CHLOREP Bulletin related to modified C-Kit application instructions now titled “Modified Emergency Kit “C” Application for Certain Dual Valve Systems” is now available. This revision accounts for the completion of the NextGen service trial, a new dual valve design model that will soon be available for
Area plans are often brought into action when facilities are unable to handle spills on their own. Under the authority of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, EPA initially established 13 Areas covering the U.S. and convened Area Committees comprised of federal, state, and local government agencies to prepare contingency plans for the designated areas.
An Incident Commander’s responsibility is to assess or “size-up” the emergency situation to get a good understanding of the problems, issues and concerns and to achieve the needed situational awareness. If the incident is going to grow to where a Unified Command structure is required, it is often helpful to write down the problems that each
This is one of the top emergency response questions we receive each year. It seems there are some facilities that feel the Incident Command training their personnel receive in their 16-hr Operations Level and 24-hr Technician Level training qualifies those personnel to be an Incident Commander. The question is… is the training offered in these
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to require the filing of a premarket approval application (PMA) or a notice of completion of a product development protocol (PDP) for the following class III preamendments devices: Automated external defibrillators systems (AEDs), which includes the AED device and its accessories (i.e., pad electrodes, batteries, and adapters).
On a daily basis we respond to a variety of emergencies, most of which have become fairly routine. Of course, reaching that level of competence takes a lot of training, exercises and actual events. We have to constantly guard against complacency to ensure safe and effective operations. However, the extraordinary events — such as tornados, earthquakes,
