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Hazardous
Materials |
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Awareness
and Operational Levels |
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Content
of the Standard |
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NFPA
472 (1992 edition) is divided into seven chapters and two appendices : |
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1.
Administration |
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2.
Competencies for the First Responder at the Awareness Level |
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3.
Competencies for the First Responder at the Operational Level |
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4.
Competencies for the Hazardous Materials Technician |
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5.
Competencies for the Incident Commander |
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6.
Competencies for the Off-site Specialist Employee |
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7.
Referenced Publications |
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This
course only covers Chapters 2 and 3 (Awareness and Operational levels). Separate courses, Hazardous Materials
Technician and Hazardous Materials Incident Commander cover the
competencies listed in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. |
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The
Awareness Level |
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First
responders at the awareness level are those who, in the course of their
normal duties, may be the first on the scene of an emergency involving
hazardous materials. |
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First responders at the awareness level,
according to the standard, are expected to do these things : |
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Recognize
the presence of hazardous materials
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Protect
themselves |
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Call
for trained personnel |
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Secure
the area. |
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The
first part of this course follows the objectives in NFPA 472, Chapter 2,
Awareness Level. |
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The goal of the course is to allow
the first responder to be able to : |
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Analyze the incident to
determine both the hazardous materials present and the basic hazard and
response information for each hazardous material. |
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Implement
actions consistent with local emergency response plans, the organization's
standard operating procedures, and the current edition of the Emergency
Response Guidebook. |
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The
Operational Level |
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First
responders at the operational level are those who respond to releases or
potential releases of hazardous materials as part of the initial response
to the incident for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, the
environment, or property from the effects of the release. |
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They are trained to respond in a defensive
fashion to control the release from a safe distance and keep it from
spreading. |
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The second part of this instructor outline
follows the objectives in NFPA 472, Chapter 3, Operational Level.
The goal of the course is to allow the first responder to be able
to: |
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Analyze
a hazardous materials incident to determine the magnitude of the problem
by predicting the likely behavior of a material and its container and by
estimating the potential harm of an incident. |
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Plan
an initial response within the capabilities and competencies of available
personnel, personal protective equipment, and control equipment. |
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Course
Outline |
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Overview
of the Hazardous Materials Standard |
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Awareness
Level |
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Analyzing
the Incident |
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Implementing
the Planned Response |
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Operational
Level |
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Analyzing
the Incident |
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Planning
the Response |
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Implementing
the Planned Response |
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Evaluating
Progress |
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