Central Kitsap
Fire & Rescue
FIELD OPERATING GUIDE
Hazardous Materials
FOG 6-26
Revised:
REF SOP #: N/A
PRE-ARRIVAL CONSIDERATIONS
 The dispatch information may describe the nature of the problem (odor, leak, spill, fire, etc.)
and may include the facility name, material name, type, amount and size of container(s), as
well as any potential victims.
 If the Reporting Party has knowledge of the hazardous situation, responding units should
request through Cencom to have the RP meet and direct the arriving units from a safe
location. Cencom should relay that person's location and level of knowledge to responding
units.
 Units approach a hazardous materials incident from uphill, upwind, and or upstream if
possible. Identify a hazardous area based on potential danger, taking into account
materials involved, time of day, wind and weather conditions, location of the incident and
degree of risk to unprotected personnel.
GUIDE
 The first arriving officer shall begin a size-up and initiate command. Initial size-up must
include identification (what is it), chemical hazards and properties (how can it hurt me), and
initial isolation and protection zones (where is it going).
THE ACTION PLAN MUST PROVIDE FOR:
1. ISOLATION- Provide for the safety of all fire personnel, isolate the hazard area, deny entry
to limit exposures, and the evacuation of the endangered area, if necessary.
 Isolation and protection zones- based on the properties of the chemical this is the area
to evacuate or shelter in place. Consider any high value occupancies in the path of the
chemical such as schools and hospitals. This may also change routes of approach and
base for incoming units.
 Avoid premature commitment of companies and personnel to potentially hazardous
locations. When approaching, slow down or stop to assess any visible activity taking
place. Evaluate effects of wind, topography and location of the situation.
 Command should consider establishing BASE whenever possible for other responding
units. Staged companies must be in a safe location, taking into account wind, spill flow,
explosion potential and similar factors in any situation.
2. IDENTIFICATION- The primary objective is to identify the type of materials involved and the
hazards presented before formulating a plan of action.
 Identification- Visual indicators such as container shapes, markings, and placards.
Other forms of ID could include shipping papers, or known hazards at a fixed facility.
Hazardous Materials Response
FOG 6-26
Revised: 11/04/2014
Page 1 of 3
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Chemical hazards and properties- Including hazard classification (explosive, toxic,
corrosive), state (solid, liquid, gas), and how it is reacting in the environment (heavier
than air, water reactive).
The DOT Guidebook, NFPA reference materials, the NIOSH Pocket Guide, WISER,
Safety Data Sheets, or available shipping papers should be used to establish a safe
distance for staging. Look for labels, markers, DOT Identification numbers, NFPA 704,
etc. Refer to pre-fire plans and ask personnel at the scene for additional information
(plant management, responsible party, truck drivers, fire department specialist).
3. NOTIFICATION- Use available reference materials and have Cencom contact other
resources for assistance in sizing up the problem (state agencies, fire department specialists,
manufacturers of materials, etc.)
 Notify CKFR Duty Chief; consider upgrade to full alarm response.
 Additional resources may include but are not limited to: DEM, WSP, KCSO, KC Public
Works, Tow trucks, NRNW Hazardous Materials Response, another empty truck to
offload product, and the company representative able to be used as a competent
person and material expert.
 Reporting requirements- Ensure the reporting requirements are met according to the
National Response Center (NRC) guidelines. See the NRC website.
4. MITIGATION It may be necessary to take immediate action to make a rescue or evacuate an area.
This should be attempted only after a risk/benefit analysis is completed, providing for
safety of rescuers FIRST.
 The specific action plan must identify the method of hazard control and identify the
resources necessary to accomplish this goal. It may be necessary to adopt a "holding
action" to wait for needed special equipment, supplies or technical help. Avoid
committing personnel and equipment prematurely.
 A Rapid Intervention Crew shall be established when crews are operating the hot zone.
 In all cases, the responsibility for safety of all potentially endangered citizens and fire
department personnel rests with command.
 The owners of the material are responsible for the clean-up, disposal, or removal of
hazardous material by qualified agencies. In their absence, the Department of Ecology
is the responsible agency. CKFR does not perform clean up.
CONTROL OF THE HAZARDOUS AREA
Establish Hazard Control Zones to operate in while performing initial company operations for
securing the perimeter and denying entry to non-fire department personnel.
 Hot zone: The control zone immediately surrounding the hazard area, which extends far
enough to prevent adverse effects to personnel outside the zone. The hot zone is
presenting the greatest risk to members and will be classified as an IDLH atmosphere.
 Warm zone: The control zone outside the hot zone where personnel and equipment
decontamination and the hot zone support takes place. The warm zone is a limited access
area for members directly aiding or in support of operations in the hot zone. Significant risk
of human injury (respiratory, exposures, etc.) can still exist in the warm zone.
Hazardous Materials Response
FOG 6-26
Revised: 11/04/2014
Page 2 of 3
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Cold zone: The control zone of an incident that contains the command post and other
support functions as are deemed necessary to control the incident. The cold zone remains
a public exclusion zone; it is reserved for stand by fire service personnel. There are minimal
risks of human injury or exposure in this zone.
Exclusion zone: The control zone designated to exclude all unauthorized personnel,
responders, and equipment. Examples of exclusion zones could be holes in floors,
explosive devices, or collapse hazards.
SAFETY/OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
All members shall wear the PPE (SCBA, flash hood, etc.) appropriate for the risks that
might be encountered while in the hot zone. When the officer in charge cannot determine or
reasonably estimate employee exposure, they shall conclude that an atmosphere is
hazardous to the employees in accordance with the WAC.
The perimeters of the control zones shall be designated by the incident commander and
communicated to all members. If the perimeters of the control zones change during the
course of the incident, these changes shall be communicated to all members on the scene.
No unauthorized personnel shall enter an exclusion zone that was designated due to the
presence of imminent hazard(s) or the need to protect evidence.
Firefighters operating in a hot zone shall have an assigned task, and operate in teams of
two or more regardless of rank or assignment. Members of these teams shall be in
constant communication with each other and incident command.
Members expending two SCBA bottles during mitigation efforts shall be sent to Rehab for
rest, fluid replenishment and a medical evaluation.
Members in full PPE including SCBA exiting the hot zone shall be gross decontaminated
prior to the removal of the SCBA respiratory face piece.
REFERENCES
TG Hazardous Materials Response
WAC 296-824
WAC 296-305-05002
WAC 296-305-05000
WAC 296-842-13005
Hazardous Materials Response
FOG 6-26
Revised: 11/04/2014
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