Chapter 49: Ready for Review
 Thousands of hazardous materials incidents occur (and are reported) each year.
 Handling hazardous materials emergencies requires specialized training and equipment.
 You should never enter a hazardous materials scene without understanding the nature of
the problem.
 According to OSHA, the levels of hazardous materials response training are: awareness,
operations, technician, and specialist.
 The great majority of hazardous materials emergencies are transportation incidents,
predominately occurring on roadways.
 When you are approaching an incident you should be alert for signs of hazardous
materials. Signs of hazardous materials include vapor clouds, strange odors, spilled
liquids, and multiple victims.
 Sources of information about hazardous materials include labels and placards, transport
documents, material safety data sheets, and the DOT’s ERG .
 Hazardous materials incident management follows NIMS and ICS principles.
 Hazardous material incidents have hot, warm, and cold zones.
 Without proper personal protective equipment and training, you should not enter the hot
and warm zones.
 The four levels of hazardous materials PPE are level A, level B, level C, and level D.
 Primary hazardous materials contamination comes from direct contact with the toxin.
 Secondary contamination is spread by people (patients, the hazardous materials team, or
EMS providers), clothing, or objects.
 Effects from hazardous materials exposure may be local on the body or systemic.
 Routes of exposure include inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection.
 Rescue and decontamination of victims is secondary to rescuer and public protection.
 Decontamination should be undertaken as a methodical process based on the nature of the
contaminant.
 Treatment of hazardous materials victims is usually symptomatic and supportive of the
ABCs. In some cases, antidotes are indicated and must be approved by the authority
having jurisdiction.
 Invasive procedures should be carefully administered to avoid the risk of introducing
contamination.
 Paramedics may be directed to support a hazardous materials operation with medical
monitoring of the hazardous materials personnel.