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Battalion Chief Oral Assessment
Fire/Haz-Mat scenario
You respond with 2 engine companies and one ladder company to a report of a fire in a vacant, residential frame building. While en-route, Fire Dispatch notifies you that the Police are on the scene and are reporting that the building is known to be used as a clandestine drug lab.
(Secret / illegal drug operation)
As the first arriving fire officer, what tactical considerations are needed at this incident?
ANSWER KEY:
- Establish, name and locate the Command Post uphill/upwind
- Prepare for a Unified Command
- Treat the incident as a Haz-Mat incident
- Establish a designated Staging area uphill/upwind
- En-sure all members are in full PPE/SCBA
- Limit the number of personnel and exposure times during any rescue and FF operations
- Isolate and deny entry to the surrounding area
- Have PD secure the area/scene
- Evacuate surrounding properties
- Establish Control zones, Hot-Warm and Cold
- Avoid standing in, or breathing smoke
- Prepare for forcible entry difficulties
- Avoid contact with all spilled chemicals
- Avoid an interior attack
- Use a minimum amount of water
- Dike or dam runoff
- Avoid overhaul activities until the hazards and risks are fully accessed
- Advise members of potential booby traps
- Advise members of weapons storage.
- Do NOT shut off the utilities ( this may trigger an explosion from cooking or cooling equipment )
- Preserve the scene for crime investigation
- Do NOT touch or handle any items on the scene
- Once operations are complete, Decon all members
References:
- Hazardous Materials, Managing the Incident, Ch.10
- Promotional Prep BC seminars
