SOP_NUMBER: 511.12
TITLE: Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN08-0001
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2018-04-13
WORD_COUNT: 670
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105862
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.12/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes guidelines for GDC firefighters responding to hazardous materials (HazMat) incidents to minimize risk of death and injury. It defines three levels of incident response (Level I through III) and requires personnel to use defensive or offensive operations based on incident severity. Firefighters must have proper training and personal protection equipment before entering contaminated zones, and must undergo decontamination before leaving. Station Chiefs must monitor firefighters for signs of toxic exposure and document all exposures using the required Hazardous Material Exposure Form.

KEY_TOPICS: hazardous materials, HazMat incidents, fire services, personnel safety, defensive operations, offensive operations, decontamination, toxic exposure, hot zone, warm zone, BLEVE, incident response levels, personal protection equipment, firefighter safety, chemical spills

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|
|**Policy Number:** 511.12|**Effective Date:** 4/13/2018|**Page Number:** 1 of 3|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:**<br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

This policy establishes guidelines for firefighters to follow while engaged in incidents
involving hazardous materials. The purpose of these guidelines is to minimize the risk
of death and injury during hazardous materials (HazMat) incidents.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Standard Operating Procedures

(SOPs): 511.34 Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know and 218.03
Control and Dispensation of Gasoline and Hazardous Materials;

B. National Fire Protection Association Codes 471 and 1500; and


C. ACA Standards: 1-CTA-3B-06 and 4-4215.


**III.** **Definitions:**

A. HazMat **-** Hazardous Materials.


B. BLEVE    - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion **.**


**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. General:


1. The most important action to be taken at any hazardous materials incident is to

recognize that a hazardous material is present. If the potential exists for the
presence of a hazardous material, then assume the worst until it can be
confirmed that no danger exists.

2. The incident area must be secured and no one shall be allowed to enter the area

until the incident commander determines that it is safe to do so.

3. The material(s) present should be identified and appropriate help summoned.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|
|**Policy Number:** 511.12|**Effective Date:** 4/13/2018|**Page Number:** 2 of 3|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:**<br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|


B. Operations:







1. There are three recognized levels of responses of hazardous materials

incidents:

a. Level I: The least serious level and within the capabilities of the

department. Evacuation, if required, will be limited to the immediate area.
Examples: gasoline or diesel spills.

b. Level II: A Level II incident is beyond the capabilities of the department

and requires the service of a formal HazMat Response Team.
Examples: the rupture of a pipeline or a fire with the threat of a BLEVE.

c. Level III: The most serious level, requiring special resources from public

and private agencies. It will require a large scale evacuation and
implementation of the jurisdiction’s Emergency Operations Plan.

2. Operations shall be either defensive or offensive;


a. Defensive operations focus on confinement without directly contacting the

hazardous material(s) creating the problem.

b. Offensive operations focus on aggressive actions on the material(s),

container, or process, and may result in contact with the material(s).
Offensive operations will not be conducted unless the incident commander
can determine that the benefit of doing so outweighs the risks involved.

3. Personnel shall not be allowed to enter the warm zone or the hot zone without

proper training and personal protection.

4. Personnel shall not be permitted to leave the warm zone or the hot zone without

proper decontamination.

5. The Station Chief shall be responsible for monitoring all firefighters for

indicators of toxic exposure effects, including the following:


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|**Policy Name:**Hazardous Materials/Personnel Safety|
|**Policy Number:** 511.12|**Effective Date:** 4/13/2018|**Page Number:** 3 of 3|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:**<br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



a. Change in complexion, skin discoloration;


b. Lack of coordination;


c. Change of demeanor;


d. Excessive salivation, papillary response;


e. Changes in speech pattern;


f. Headaches;


g. Dizziness;


h. Blurred vision;


i. Cramps; and


j. Irritation of the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract.


6. Any firefighter exposed to hazardous materials shall complete a Hazardous

Material Exposure Form.

**V.** **Attachments:**

Attachment 1: Hazardous Materials Exposure Form

**VI.** **Records Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**

Upon completion, a copy of the Hazardous Materials Exposure Form shall be placed
in the firefighter’s medical file and retained according to the retention schedule for
that file.