EMS Policy Manual - Contra Costa Health Services

Contra Costa
Emergency Medical Services
EMS RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INCIDENTS
POLICY #: 36
PAGE: 1 of 2
EFFECTIVE: 7/5/2011
REVIEWED: 7/5/2011
I. PURPOSE
To prevent exposure or contamination of prehospital personnel, other first responders,
emergency department personnel and the receiving facility to hazardous material incidents.
II. AUTHORITY
California Health & Safety Code, Section 1798.6 (b) (c) Hazardous Materials Incidents.
California Health & Safety Code; Ch 4; Division 2.5; Title 22.
The responsibility for hazardous materials containment, identification, and decontamination, and
victim evacuation at the scene of incident shall rest with the designated public safety agencies as
defined in the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Area Plan (HMAP).
III. DEFINITIONS
Contamination: When a hazardous material is physically present on a person’s skin, clothing or
hair (external) or has been inhaled or ingested (internal).
Decontamination: The act of removing or neutralizing any contaminant from people or equipment.
DOT Identification Number: Signage system developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation
which utilizes a series of four (4) digits to identify and provide basic information on specific
hazardous materials.
Exposure: Contact by any means with a hazardous material.
Hazardous Materials: A material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or
chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and
safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment.
Hazardous Materials Incidents: A release or threatened release of hazardous materials.
Hazardous Material Incident Notification: The process of informing the appropriate regulatory
authorities and agencies of a hazardous materials incident.
Hazardous Materials Area Plan (HMAP): The HMAP describes the overall hazardous materials
emergency response within Contra Costa County and establishes lines of authority for hazardous
materials incidents. Available at: http://www.cchealth.org/groups/hazmat/pdf/2009_area_plan.pdf
Exclusion (Hot) Zone: Area that encompasses all known or suspected hazardous materials.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): MSDS is a form describing the properties of a particular
substance. It is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling
or working with that substance in a safe manner.
Prehospital Provider: EMS and Fire First Responders and/or Transport Providers.
Support (Warm) Zone: Area between the Hot Zone and the location where equipment and rescue
personnel are staged to receive and treat decontaminated patients.
IV. PREHOSPITAL PROVIDER AND PROVIDER AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
Prehospital Providers and their Provider Agencies shall comply with state and federal standards
involving hazardous materials.
Prehospital Providers shall participate in hazardous materials awareness level training programs.
All prehospital providers shall be trained in when and how to perform a Hazardous Material Incident
Notification.