Southard Fire Department No.1
P.O. Box 2
4611 Route 9 North
Howell, New Jersey 07731
(732) 364-3399
(732) 370-0036 Fax
HAzardous materials TEAM
Standard Operating Guidelines
for incidents involving
weapons of mass destruction (WMD),
Nuclear, biological, chemical agents (NBC), or Explosives
ChiefLouis B. Memmolo Sr.
1st. Assistant ChiefChris J. Jackson
2nd. Assistant ChiefSteven A. Hadgkiss
CaptainJohn F. Tucker
Lieutenant Christian Williams
Safety OfficerScott J. Ryan
Safety OfficerAlan Appell
Southard Fire Department No.1
Hazardous Materials Team Standard Operating Guidelines
For Incidents Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD),
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Agents (NBC) or Explosives
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WMD-05-1IntroductionPage # 5
WMD-05-2Purpose of PlanPage # 6
WMD-05-3Mission StatementPage # 7
3.1Mission Statement for WMD Incidents
WMD-05-4Scope of OperationsPage # 8
4.1Operations and Support
4.2Hazmat/ NBC Terrorist Incident Considerations
4.3Operational Areas of Concern
4.4Notification and Mutual Aid Agreements
WMD-05-5Training Page # 11
5.1Specialized Hazmat Training
5.2Training Programs
WMD-05-6Chemical AgentsPage # 12
6.1Characteristics of Chemical Agents
WMD-05-7Description of Chemical AgentsPage # 13
7.1Nerve Agents
7.2Choking Agents
7.3Blood Agents
7.4Blister Agents
7.5Incapacitating Agents
7.6Vomiting Agents
7.7Irritant or Tear Agents
WMD-05-8Chemical Agent Concerns/Initial ActionsPage # 16
8.1Concerns/Initial Actions
WMD-05-9Biological AgentsPage # 17
9.1Characteristics of Biological Agents
WMD-05-10Biological (BW) Agents Concerns/
Initial ActionsPage # 18
10.1Concerns/ Initial Actions
WMD-05-11Nuclear and Radiological AgentsPage # 20
11.1Characteristics of Nuclear or
Radiological Agent Use
11.2Scenarios of a Nuclear or
Radiological Emergency
WMD-05-12Nuclear and Radiological Concerns/
Initial ActionsPage # 22
12.1Concerns/ Initial Actions
12.2Treatment of Victims
WMD-05-13Operational ConsiderationsPage # 24
13.1Considerations
13.2Crime Scene Potentiality
13.3ERG Guidelines
13.4Coordination of Response Efforts
13.5Initial Control
WMD-05-14Suspicious Letter / Package HandlingPage # 27
14.1Suspicious Letter / Package Handling
14.2Hazmat Response
WMD-05-15Management Operational ConsiderationsPage # 29
15.1Questions for the Incident Commander
15.2Operational Groups
WMD-05-16Agent Detection and IdentificationPage # 31
16.1NBC Agent Detection and Identification
16.2Equipment for Nerve Agent Identification
16.3Equipment for Blister Agent Identification
16.4Equipment for Blood Agent Identification
16.5Equipment for Radiation (Alpha and Beta
Particles, Gamma Rays) Identification
16.6Equipment for Chemical Identification
(wide range of products also including choking
agents and halogen gases)
16.7Equipment for Biological Agent Identification
16.8Recommended Testing Order
WMD-05-17DecontaminationPage # 34
17.1General Decontamination Guidelines
17.2Gross Decontamination
17.3Mass Decontamination
17.4Full Decontamination
17.5Decontamination Issues and Concerns
17.6NBC Agent Removal from Patients
WMD-05-18TriagePage # 37
18.1Objectives and Goals
WMD-05-19TreatmentPage # 39
19.1Operational Concerns
19.2Public Health Sector
WMD-05-20Pre-Event Hospital CoordinationPage # 41
20.1Purpose
20.2Number of Victims – Hospitals
20.3Decontamination – Hospital
20.4Antidotes – Hospital
WMD-05-21Pre-Event Non-Hospital CoordinationPage # 43
21.1Non-Hospital Emergency Care Clinics/
Physicians Offices/ Group Practices.
21.2Decontamination Issues
21.3Transport to Hospitals
WMD-05-22Appendix DocumentsPage # 44
22.1Hazmat Team Checklist
22.2First Responder Treatment and Self-Protection
22.3Mutual Aid Resources
22.4Suspicious Letter / Package Questionnaire
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-1 / INTRODUCTION
Last Revision
7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
1.Introduction
The following guidelines are to be used as the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard Operating Guidelines, for all members of Southard Fire Department No.1 and Howell Township Fire District #3. They have been established to aid Hazardous Materials Team members and firefighters in bringing the best possible results to the company and citizens of fire district #3 during each hazardous materials incident. Furthermore, they have been designed with each member’s personal safety in mind as well as the safety of fellow member’s in or around the incident area.
This manual is for the guidance and direction of Hazardous Materials Team and fire company personnel. Its sole purpose is to give members complete information regarding the standard operation guidelines of this company at the scene of a Weapons of Mass Destruction Release. This manual is applicable to members classified as Life, Active Exempt, Active, Probationary, Junior Members, and Paid Personnel as defined in the fire company by-laws and Board of Fire Commissioners Policies.
All Hazardous Materials Team personnel will be issued and sign for, a copy of these WMD Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG's) at the beginning of role as a Hazardous Materials Team Member and/ or when updates are completed. The Chief, in conjunction with the Line Officers, have the right to amend, revoke, or add to any of these Standard Operating Guidelines as circumstances may require.
For all further instances of Weapons of Mass destruction, which could include Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Agents or Explosives will be referred to as a WMD.
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-2 / PURPOSE OF PLAN
Last Revision
7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
2.Purpose of Plan
2.1This document will:
2.1.1Define the Mission Statement;
2.1.2Describe the Concept of Operations;
2.1.3Delineate Organizational Responsibilities and Roles;
2.1.4Provide operational procedures for responding to nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) or explosive terrorism incidents;
2.1.5Provide operational procedures for the decontamination, triage and treatment;
2.1.6Define the coordination with local hospitals;
2.1.7Define the coordination with local first responders; and
2.1.8Define the process for public health coordination;
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-3 / MISSION STATEMENT
Last Revision
7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
3.Mission Statement
3.1Mission Statement for WMD Incidents
3.1It is the mission of the Southard Fire Departments Hazardous Materials Team to respond to and provide for incidents in the Howell Township, Monmouth County and Ocean County areas and to effectively address responder safety issues, incident management, and public health consequences of WMD/NBC incidents that result from accidental or deliberate acts.
3.2This support and assistance includes providing identification of the hazardous substance through available technology, and response to the scene or secondary site to assist with incident management and first responder care during a WMD/NBC incident.
3.3These activities will be conducted in collaboration with and supported by other local, county, state and federal authorities.
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-4 / SCOPE OF OPERATIONS
Last Revision
7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
- Scope of Operations
4.1Operations and Support
4.1.1The hazmat team will respond within the Incident Command structure to WMD/NBC events within the local jurisdiction;
4.1.2The hazmat team will provide technical assistance in the identification of WMD/NBC agents;
4.1.3The hazmat team will assist in supporting coordination with designated regional, state and federal WMD/NBC incident response assets;
4.2Hazmat/NBC Terrorist Incident Considerations
4.2.1A WMD/NBC terrorist incident may be either site specific, or in the event of a biological incident, it may be non-site specific.
4.2.2A nuclear or chemical WMD event is, inherently, a Hazmat incident.
4.2.3There are, however, significant differences between the two types of incidents that influence a civil jurisdiction's response planning, organization, training, equipment, operational procedures, and coordination requirements.
4.2.4A WMD/NBC terrorist incident may be characterized by:
- The use of WMD designed to inflict mass casualties;
- The high lethality of biological or chemical agents;
- The extremely toxic environment resulting from WMD/NBC;
- The initial ambiguity in determining what type of NBC weapon or agent is involved, or in the case of biological agents, if a terrorist incident has occurred;
- The potential for a combination of weapons/agents, each presenting different response requirements. (i.e., explosives and chemical agents or simultaneous explosives, chemical agents, and radioactive material dispersal);
- The narrow window-of-response time to administer lifesaving antidotes for chemical agents and antibiotics for biological agents;
- The NEED for immediate medical treatment for mass casualties;
- The NEED for immediately available specialized pharmaceuticals;
- The NEED for specialized WMD/NBC detection equipment;
- The NEED for a timely, efficient, and effective mass decontamination system;
- The NEED for an organized, trained, and equipped health and medical services emergency response unit to immediately augment the local FIRE/HAZMAT/EMS response;
- The NEED for pre-event coordination with hospitals and medical treatment centers to establish medical treatment protocols, stock appropriate pharmaceuticals, and determine treatment procedure requirements; and
- The NEED to accomplish advance planning and coordination to respond to each of the NEEDS identified above.
4.2.5The Southard Fire Department Hazmat team is a technically trained group able to provide response to terrorist hazmat events within the ICS structure.
4.3Operational Areas of Concern
4.3.1Detection, Identification and Sampling - Providing early detection for appropriate control of the scene and confirmed identification through sampling to expedite appropriate medical intervention.
4.3.2Hospital/EMS/Public Health Coordination - Coordination with Public Health and Medical Communities on topics that include professional guidance on agent identification, mass triage and decontamination, victim intake, and treatment for specific agents and injuries.
4.3.3Decontamination - Coordination with the existing equipment and mutual aid resources in order to establish mass decontamination facilities in the field and at hospitals.
4.3.4Public Information Officer (PIO)/Media Relations - Coordination with the local ICS to establish information parameters and determine the appropriate information releases to avert further casualties due to mass hysteria.
4.3.5Law Enforcement Coordination (Intelligence/Security) - Coordination with law enforcement officials and joint briefings on the potential impacts of the incident and courses of action to take.
4.3.6Mortuary and Forensic Activities - Coordination with the Public Health agency of jurisdiction and the County Medical Examiner/Coroner to establish appropriate services for deceased victims, and to assure proper collection, preservation, and maintenance of evidence of criminal activity from deceased victims.
4.3.7Coordination with local and other jurisdictions/agencies, including State and Federal Resources:
4.4Notification and Mutual Aid Requests
4.4.1The Incident Command System will be used at all field events.
4.4.2Upon the onset of such an event, appropriate notifications will be made to the county, state and federal agencies, including the FBI (973-792-3000) and the NJDEP (877-927-6337).
4.4.3Appropriate state and federal plans of action will be put in place with resources and personnel responding from various agencies.
4.4.4Although the capability of the Southard Fire Department hazmat team is adequate to handle most routine hazmat events, mutual aid agreements have been set up with a number of local hazmat teams to coordinate resources and personnel on a larger scale event.
4.4.5A possible WMD/NBC event will tax any system, and a network of several local teams will be needed to safely resolve a possible scenario.
4.4.6Out of county teams have been consulted for possible mutual aid coordination.
4.4.7The Southard Fire Dept. Hazmat Team is part of the Monmouth County Hazmat task force.
4.4.8The County task force consists of 6 local hazmat teams, which provides a pool of approximately 80 to 120 hazmat technicians plus other support personnel.
4.4.9Each team has a separate complement of appropriate PPE and a separate decontamination capability.
4.4.10Currently agreements have been reached with the following teams:
- Howell Township OEM Hazmat Team
- Monmouth County Health Department Hazmat
- Lakewood Fire Department Hazmat
- Berkley Fire Department Hazmat
- NWS EARLE Fire Department Hazmat
- Fort Monmouth Fire Department Hazmat
- Middletown Fire Dept. Special Services Unit Hazmat
- Neptune OEM Hazmat Team
4.4.11Personnel and equipment from these teams will be utilized to support fire department team operations at the scene or may be staged at strategic sites such as hospitals or shelters throughout the county.
4.4.12Additionally, a number of local fire departments are trained to provide decon to patients/victims at fixed facilities or to first responders at the scene. The following departments will be providing decon as part of the created Monmouth County Hazmat rapid decon response system at designated facilities:
- Holmdel Fire DepartmentBayshore Hospital
- Freehold Fire DepartmentsCentraState Hospital
- Long Branch Fire DepartmentMonmouth Medical
- Neptune Fire DepartmentJersey Shore Medical
- Red Bank Fire DepartmentRiver View Hospital
- Atlantic Highlands Fire DepartmentFerry Terminal
- Highlands Fire DepartmentFerry Terminal
- Keyport Fire DepartmentFerry Terminal
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-5 /
TRAINING
Last Revision7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
5.Training
5.1Specialized Hazmat Training
5.1.1The Hazmat team is intended to provide a level of technical expertise and proficiency not normally found in emergency response organizations.
5.1.2All team members will be prepared to respond to incidents involving nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) agents.
5.1.3Training will be delivered to augment standard emergency response training to create team members with appropriate specialized skills in identification of agents, self-protection of team members, decontamination and treatment of victims, and emergency response operations in a WMD/NBC environment.
5.1.4Hazmat personnel are able to provide technical advice and information to the Incident Commander in order to protect supporting emergency response personnel.
5.1.5Additionally, personnel will include trainers equipped to deliver awareness/operations level classes to supporting institutions and agencies.
5.2Training Programs
5.2.1The team is committed to complete a series of relevant training to maintain an overall knowledge of WMD topics.
5.2.2Currently, members have completed the following series of WMD/NBC courses in addition to regular hazmat training:
- Hazmat Technician/Specialist
- WMD Technician and ICS
- WMD Technician Live Agent Training
- Fundamentals of Radiological Response/Monitoring
- Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings
- Incident Response to Domestic Biological Incidents
- Medical Response to Chemical and Biological Warfare
- WMD Advanced Radiation/Nuclear Agents
- First Responder / EMT / CPR / First Aid
- Confined Space Entry/Rescue/Operations
- Advance SCBA
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-6 /
CHEMICAL AGENTS
Last Revision7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
6.Chemical Agents
6.1Characteristics of Chemical Agents
6.1.1NBC/WMD deployed in a civilian setting can include chemical or biological warfare agents, the intentional release of industrial chemicals, or the release or explosion of nuclear or radiological materials.
6.1.2While each particular agent has its own unique signature and consequences, general outward warning signs or indicators include:
- Explosions that disperse or dispense liquids, mists or gas
- Explosions that seem to only destroy a package or bomb device
- Unscheduled and unusual dissemination of aerosol sprays
- Abandoned spray devices
- Numerous dead animals, fish or birds
- Lack (or unusual abundance) of insect life
- Mass casualties without obvious trauma
- Definite pattern of casualties and common symptoms
- Civilian panic in potential high-profile targets areas (government buildings, mass transit systems, sports arenas, etc.)
6.1.3The threat of chemical terrorism includes the intentional release of industrial agents, as well as the deliberate use of weapons of warfare.
6.1.4Chemical warfare (CW) agents can be introduced via aerosol devices (munitions, sprayers or aerosol generators), breaking containers or covert dissemination.
6.1.5Chemical agents include both persistent and non-persistent agents.
6.1.6Persistent agents (vapor, liquid or dust) remain in the affected area for hours, days or weeks.
6.1.7Non-persistent agents (primarily vapors) remain a hazard in the affected area for a shorter time period, usually minutes to hours.
SOG / SOUTHARD FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.1HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM
WMD STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
Date Implemented:
12/1/04 / SOG Number:
WMD-05-7 /
DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL AGENTS
Last Revision7/1/05 / Chief of Department
Louis B. Memmolo Sr. / Revision Number:
1
7.Description of Chemical Agents
7.1Nerve Agents
7.1.1Nerve Agents affect the transmission of nerve impulses by reacting with the enzyme cholinesterase, which permits an accumulation of acetylcholine and continuous muscle stimulation.
7.1.2Generally, these agents are liquids, clear to light brown in color, and tasteless.
7.1.3They can be absorbed through the skin, eyes, respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts.
7.1.4Nerve agents are organophosphates and include: “G” Series agent - Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), and GF, as well as VX series agents.
7.1.5G-Series agents are non-persistent, primarily a hazard to the respiratory tract and are characterized by a very rapid rate of action.
7.1.6VX-Series agents are very rapid in terms of rate of action, persistent (days to months), and have a consistency similar to motor oil. Their primary hazard involves direct contact to the skin or respiratory system from vapors.
7.1.7The following descriptors characterized both the G- and VX series agents:
AGENT / ODOR / COLOR (at 20 C)GA / None (pure) to fruity / Colorless to Brown Liquid
GB / Almost none when pure / Colorless Liquid
GD / Fruity; Camphor (impure) / Colorless Liquid
GF / Sweet, musty, peaches, shellac / Colorless Liquid
VX / None / Colorless to Amber Liquid
7.1.8Initial Symptoms include: Dimness of vision; Miosis (constricted pupils); marked pinpointing of pupils (immediately upon exposure to vapor or aerosol, absent or delayed if absorbed through skin or ingested); runny nose; localized sweating.
7.1.9Advanced symptoms include: Tightness in chest; difficulty breathing; nausea and vomiting; involuntary twitching and jerking; frontal headaches; convulsions and coma.
7.2Choking Agents
7.2.1Choking Agents irritate the alveoli in the lungs, which stimulate the secretion of fluids and result in pulmonary edema.
7.2.2Principal agents of this type are Phosgene (CG) and Diphosgene (DP).
7.2.3They are generally non-persistent and are primarily a respiratory hazard.
7.2.4Phosgene is a colorless gas, while diphosgene is a colorless liquid.
7.2.5Both have the odor of new mown hay, freshly cut grass or green corn.
7.2.6Initial symptoms include: tearing, dry throat, tightness of chest, coughing, nausea, vomiting, headache and an initial slowing of pulse followed by an increase in pulse rate.
7.2.7Advanced symptoms include: rapid, shallow breathing, painful cough, cyanosis, coughing of frothy sputum (severe), convulsions, a shock-like state, and pulmonary edema.
7.3Blood Agents
7.3.1Blood Agents are CW agents, which act upon the enzyme cytochrome oxidase and target the respiratory system of the blood, inhibiting the transfer of oxygen among cells.
7.3.2They include Hydrogen Cyanide (AC), Cyanogen Chloride (CK), and Arsine (SA).