Hazardous Materials
With an increasing reliance on technology in our industrial society comes an increasing dependence on exotic materials dangerous to humans. This is particularly true at a large research university like UC Davis. Currently there are approximately 3500 research laboratories on campus housing any combination of the following: combustible liquids, cryogenics, explosives, flammable solids, flammable liquids, flammable gases, organic peroxides, oxidizers, pyrophorics, carcinogens, corrosives, irritants, radioactives, poisons, and other highly toxic materials not otherwise classified. These materials could pose a significant health threat to the students, staff, and faculty at UC Davis if an accident were to occur.
The UC Davis Fire Division maintains a custom designed Hazardous Materials Vehicle capable of responding to any hazardous material emergency on the central campus within our defined response timelines. Each of the career firefighters is trained to the minimum level of Hazardous Materials Technician, which allows entry under the most hazardous conditions.
The Tactical Objectives of HAZMAT
Hazardous Materials emergencies create situations that can be extremely dangerous to emergency responders, the public, and the environment. With this in mind, the tactical objectives of HAZMAT operations are tightly regulated and geared toward minimizing the danger to emergency personnel and the public.
Safety
Securing a rescue scene in order to limit the danger posed to emergency responders.
Isolation/Deny Entry
Sealing off a scene in order to ensure public protection as much as possible.
Notifications
Notifying the appropriate agencies and jurisdictions.
Command
Setting up an incident command structure to ensure that tactical objectives are accomplished.
Identification/Assessment
Identifying the hazardous material.
Action Plan
Developing an action plan.
Protective Equipment
Determining the appropriate level of protection to be used by emergency responders as dictated by the type of hazard.
Containment & Control
Attempting to limit the spread of the hazard.
Protective Actions
Determining and executing the action most appropriate for public safety. A public evacuation would be an example of a protective action.
Decontamination/Cleanup
Decontaminating patients, emergency personnel, and equipment.
Disposal
Removing the hazard to the appropriate waste site.
Documentation
Maintaining a record of the incident by sending reports to the appropriate agencies and establishing exposure records for emergency personnel involved in mitigating the incident.
Restoral
Returning to operational readiness by restocking equipment and supplies. Debriefing emergency response personnel.