307 - HAZMAT AWARENESS & OPERATIONS

NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders, is the comprehensive standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that establishes the professional qualifications, training, and competencies required for personnel responding to hazardous materials and WMD incidents. It is intended for use by emergency services organizations, training institutions, and certification bodies to ensure responders operate safely, effectively, and consistently during hazmat and WMD events. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 8th Edition: Firefighter 1 & 2

NFPA 470 consolidates several former standards into a single, unified document.

The standard outlines responder competencies across several levels:

1. Awareness & Operations Level [Firefighter I+]

• Defensive responders who protect life, property, and the environment.

• Act within established protocols and under supervision.

Core competencies include:

• Recognizing the presence of hazardous materials/WMD.

• Identifying containers, markings, placards, and labels.

• Initiating protective actions (evacuation, isolation, notification).

• Using the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) and similar resources.

• Performing basic diversion, restricting, or securing methods within a relatively low-risk margin.

• Hazard and risk assessment.

• Selection and use of appropriate PPE.

• Decontamination procedures.

• Defensive control tactics (e.g., diking, damming, diverting).
  
  

3. Technician Level (SPECIAL OPERATIONS / CBRNE SECTION)

• Responders who take offensive actions to contain or mitigate a release.

Require advanced knowledge of hazardous materials behavior, container types, and tactical procedures. Technicians should typically only be requested if a situation is deemed far too out of reach for proper containment and diversion methods. Whether be by strain of resources or risk of public collateral damage.

Responsibilities include:

• • Performing advanced leak control and containment.

  • Implementing entry procedures in high-risk zones.

  • Conducting hazard modeling.

  • Interpreting technical data and site plans.

NFPA 470 emphasizes safety, risk assessment, and effective coordination among agencies, ensuring that responders are prepared to manage incidents involving hazardous substances in a wide range of environments, from transportation accidents to intentional WMD attacks.

I. Awareness / Operations Level Procedures

1. Approach Safely

• Stop at a safe distance; do not enter the immediate area.

• Approach uphill, upwind, and upstream if possible.

• Use binoculars or vehicle-mounted optics to assess from afar.

2. Identify the Presence of Hazardous Materials

• Look for:

  • Container types (e.g., tankers, cylinders, drums)

  • Placards and labels (use DOT markings)

  • Shipping papers, SDS (if accessible without entering the hazard area)

  • Signs of distress (e.g., vapor clouds, odors, dead vegetation)

3. Isolate and Deny Entry

• Keep bystanders and unprotected personnel away.

• Use vehicles, cones, tape, or barriers to mark the area if safe to do so.

4. Notify Appropriate Authorities

• Transmit a clear, concise size-up to dispatch or command, including:

  • Type of incident

  • Hazardous material if known

  • Number of people potentially exposed or injured

  • Initial actions taken

• Request the appropriate hazmat team or Operations/Technician-level responders if needed (CBRNE Section)

5. Confirm Hazmat and Scene Conditions

• Utilize detection tools (if trained and available) to confirm hazard presence.

• Gather info from:

  • Shipping papers/manifests

  • Facility personnel

  • Witnesses
    
    

6. Use Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Don appropriate PPE (typically Level C or structural firefighting gear with SCBA, depending on hazard).

• Ensure proper buddy checks and air monitoring before entry.

7. Establish Zones and Control Access

• Set up:

  • Hot Zone: Immediate danger area.

  • Warm Zone: Decontamination and equipment transition area.

  • Cold Zone: Command, staging, medical, and support.

7. Perform Defensive Operations (if-applicable)

• Actions may include:

  • Diking, damming, or diverting material away from drains or critical areas.

  • Setting up dry or wet decontamination corridors for exposed persons.

  • Operating remotely to control valves or shutoffs (e.g., emergency stop buttons).

  • Ventilating vapors if part of an approved protocol.
    
    

8. Assist in Victim Rescue (if trained and equipped)

• Conduct rescues only if the risk is acceptable and PPE allows.

• Decon victims prior to transport if contamination is suspected.

• Provide basic triage or support to EMS if operating within Warm or Cold Zones.
  
  

9. Support Command and Documentation

• Relay findings, hazard ID results, and progress reports.

• Log actions taken, materials involved, and any exposures.

• Follow the Incident Command System (ICS) structure.

Examples of product control management:

• An overpack drum is a large container designed to go over the top of a 55-gallon drum with a leak. The overpack drum is then flipped and sealed to contain the leak inside the container.

• A plug kit is outfitted with plugs and wedges designed to fill punctures in tanks, cylinders, drums and gas lines to control liquid, gas, or bulk material leaks.

• Containment berms, blankets, and absorbent booms are helpful to control spilled liquid materials, like gasoline. These devices help mitigate the expansion of the hazardous area and prevent hazmat materials from running into sewers and drains.

Most Common Hazardous Materials

Gasoline [CLASS III HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - FLAMMABLE, COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS]

Gasoline is one of the most transported hazardous materials and among the most dangerous. Highly flammable, gasoline can cause major injuries and death. Take special care to avoid exposing gasoline to an ignition source since it can ignite. If that happens, you could end up with a serious and possibly fatal injury.

Diesel Fuel [CLASS III HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - FLAMMABLE, COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS]

Diesel fuel can also cause major injuries and death. Acute exposure to diesel fuel vapor can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. The hazardous material can also irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Avoid contact with diesel fuel when interacting with it unless absolutely necessary.

Propylene [CLASS I HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - EXPLOSIVES]

Propylene has many uses. It’s used to produce packaging, films, and more, and it’s commonly hauled from one location to the next. It’s a volatile flammable gas, making it very dangerous to transport and use. If it’s close to an ignition source, it can explode, causing serious injuries. Propylene accidents can also be fatal, so take special care when transporting it.

Consumer Fireworks [CLASS I HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - EXPLOSIVES]

Shooting off fireworks is an American pastime that isn’t just reserved for the Fourth of July. People celebrate with fireworks throughout the year, creating a need for transportation. Unfortunately, fireworks create a significant fire risk, and drivers must take precautions and follow all regulations, including having the proper labels and markings.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas [CLASS II HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - NON FLAMMABLE GAS]

Also known as butane or propane, liquefied petroleum gas is a vital fuel with many uses. It can also explode under certain conditions, meaning that it’s critical to use store it in pressurized vessels. If an accident occurs and the gas explodes, it can be deadly. At the very least, people can expect serious injuries that can reduce their quality of life.

Carbon Dioxide, Refrigerated Liquid [CLASS II HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - NON FLAMMABLE GAS]

This gas isn’t flammable, so you might think it’s safe to transport. However, it’s listed as a hazardous material for good reason. The non-flammable gas keeps food cold during transport. It emits hazardous vapors that can make you dizzy or even prevent you from getting enough oxygen. Also, if your body comes into contact with the gas, you could end up with a severe burn or frostbite. This is painful and could cause you to lose an extremity.

Sulfuric Acid [CLASS VIII HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - CORROSIVE]

Sulfuric acid is used in various industries, including oil refining and fertilizer manufacturing. It’s even used to make cleaning agents. Even though it has so many uses, it’s highly corrosive and dangerous. If you contact it when transporting it, you could get severely burned. Inhaling it is also extremely dangerous and can cause lung damage.

Argon, Refrigerated Liquid [Class VI hazardous material - inhalation hazard]

Because this isn’t toxic or flammable, many drivers think this material is safe. However, the refrigerated liquid form of argon poses a serious risk during transportation. You can suffer serious health problems if you inhale it, and it can significantly damage your tissue if you come into contact with it. You must keep the gas cylinders upright to maintain the proper pressure. Then, you can avoid injuring yourself when transporting it to its destination.

*IMPORTANT* NFPA 470, for the simplified- Roleplay friendly:

Fire department leadership recognizes that not every member will have instant recall of every chemical hazard, suppression method, or public safety protocol. Field conditions are dynamic, and members aren't expected to function as walking encyclopedias of hazardous materials response. Instead, personnel are encouraged to rely on common sense and sound judgment if they are not too deeply trained, or make it easier for the initiating party to have better roleplay accessibility. These incidents come far and few between- and the last thing we want to do is to discourage someone from taking their time and playing with us.

In situations involving unknown or uncertain substances, the appropriate course of action may simply be:

"/me references the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Emergency Response Guide (ERG) to determine the material or product that was released. What is found?"

Utilizing reference materials is not a weakness- it is best practice. The primary objective is, and always will be, to prevent things from going wrong and to have an enjoyable experience. If you're doing that and acting within your scope; you’re doing just fine. Just act with a purpose, and ask questions when you don’t know. We just ask you to put in effort.

In the simplest way possible to explain. Any Firefighter II/III should be able to adequately handle a decently sized HAZMAT situation that isn't a full-blown disaster scenario. Such as an accidental waste release in water, or simply a car leaking 15 gallons of gasoline in the roadway. If you simply do not feel comfortable, requesting HAZMAT resources through the incident commander is also an alternative if all else fails and gives them something to also do.