Suited for Entry: Haz-Mat Incident Command
DEPARTMENTS
Training Note book
All too often, total encapsulating suits are purchased and placed into service with minimal training done and little thought given to a standard operating procedure for their use. Obviously, the suits are used when the environment is hostile. There’s little room for error in an area that can’t be made safer. Preplanning and training will go a long way in providing a safe system in which to work.
I will detail an SOP that uses an incident command structure, with preplanned functions and the minimum number of trained personnel necessary to carry it out. The outline details the functions for an incident commander and seven team members (see figure on page 12), the minimum required.
Arguments can be made for the use of more personnel, which would allow the functions detailed to be carried out more easily. However, attempts to carry out a total-encapsulating-suit entry with fewer than seven trained hazardous materials team members would compromise the safety of the team.
Incident commander. The incident commander is in charge of the entire situation and has many concerns. The figure shows three examples of sectors under the incident commander’s control: evacuation, public information, and total-encapsulating-suit entry. There may be a dozen sectors, each with its own officer in charge. I’m dealing only with the sector handling entry into the haz-mat area with the use of total encapsulating suits.
THOMAS R. WOOD has served for 13 years in the Boca Raton (Fla.) Fire Department, where he’s a co-leader of the hazardousmaterials team. The holder of a bachelor’s degree in fire science administration, Lt. Wood is an adjunct instructor in haz mats at Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale and president of a haz-mat training company. First Responders Inc.
Entry sector coordinator. Prior to suiting up the team, the entry sector coordinator:
- Determines the chemical involved, whether an entry by a team wearing total encapsulating suits is necessary, and what the team’s specific mission would be; and
- Assembles and assigns the personnel necessary to carry out the entry mission.
Once that’s accomplished, the entry sector coordinator supervises the members of the team. The person in this role monitors the changing hazmat environment, with the option of canceling the entry mission at any point. The entry sector coordinator also maintains contact with the incident commander and advises that person of the team’s progress.
Safety observation and communications specialist. Prior to suiting up the team, the safety observation and communications specialist:
- Obtains and tests the necessary portable radio communications equipment;
- Verifies the chemical compatibility of the fabrics of the total encapsulating suits, boots, and gloves chosen; and
- Assists entry team member No. 1, the leader, in suiting up.
The safety observation and communications specialist maintains radio communications and, when possible, visual contact with the team once it has entered the haz-mat environment.
After the team finishes, this specialist stays in radio contact with all team members during decon procedures, paying extra attention to signs of stress and fatigue. This person also assists the entry team leader out of the suit.
Logistics specialist. Prior to suiting up the team, the logistics specialist:
- Removes the compatible total encapsulating suits, boots, and gloves from the haz-mat vehicles and inspects the apparel;
- Removes and inspects the 60-minute air packs of the self-contained breathing apparatus;
- Provides a secure area for the storage of entry team members’ personal items; and
- Assists entry team member No. 2 in suiting up.
As the team enters the haz-mat environment, the logistics specialist is on standby, ready to obtain tools, equipment, instruments, and whatever else the entry team decides may be necessary to remedy the problem.
Once the team is finished, the logistics specialist assists with decontamination procedures and helps entry team member No. 2 out of the total encapsulating suit. The logistics specialist also ensures that all tools, equipment, and instruments are accounted for and reports any damage to the entry sector coordinator.
Decontamination and medical spe- da list. Prior to suiting up the team, the decontamination and medical specialist:
Command Structure for Haz-Mat Entry
- Records the vital signs of all entry team members;
- Provides suitable liquids for the team to drink;
- Ensures that adequate and proper decontamination solutions and equipment are on the scene;
- Provides special emergency medical treatment guidelines to paramedic personnel in the event someone becomes injured or exposed to the chemical; and
- Assists entrv team member No. 3 in suiting up.
Once the team is inside, the decontamination and medical specialist prepares all decon solutions and equipment. Then, once the job is done, this specialist carries out the decon procedures. The person in this role also helps entry team member No. 3 out of the total encapsulating suit and restores and replaces decon solutions and equipment.
Entry team leader, member No. 2, and member No. 3. Prior to suiting up, the team members:
- Remove all sharp objects, such as pens and jewelry, from their uniforms or street clothes;
- Use rest room facilities as necessary; and
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially on warm days.
Team members should take their time in donning the total encapsulating suits, making sure they have the help of at least one other experienced person. Hurrying to put on the suit may result in a tear, and a tom suit is no use to anyone.
Team members should keep the suit’s limitations in mind once they’ve entered the hazardous environment. They should avoid bending over, squatting, and splashing cold liquids on the suit. They should stay away from the radiant heat of fires and should not walk through a puddle unless they’ve checked the depth with a stick.
A team member who gets into trouble shouldn’t panic. If the air in an SCBA runs out, the mask can be dislodged in order to breathe the air contained in the suit.
Once the job is concluded, team members should proceed to the decontamination area. They should remain in their suits until cleared to remove them.
Entry employing total encapsulating suits must be carried out with safety as the first and sustained consideration. This incident command system provides a methodical approach.
