HAZMAT FOR COPS
Awareness Level Training
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• • identify a hazardous materials incident.
• • identify the specific challenges that are presented by incidents involving hazardous
materials.
• • recognize the roles and responsibilities of a First Responder at the awareness level.
• identify the primary pathways in which a hazardous material can enter the human
body, including:
- inhalation
- absorption
- ingestion
- injection
• identify precautions peace officers can take to protect themselves from contacting a
hazardous material.
WHAT IT IS
A hazardous materials incident is any emergency involving the release
or potential release of a hazardous material. Incidents involving
hazardous materials can present risks to life. Some hazardous materials
incidents may be catastrophic and endanger entire communities,
while others may not appear significant but have the potential for
long-lasting effects.
Hazardous materials incidents differ in the following areas:
• Not always reported as a hazardous materials incident
• Need to be handled slowly and methodically
• Need for specialized personal protective equipment and training
• Need to recognize many different communication systems
• Exposure symptoms may not materialize for years
IN A HAZMAT EMERGENCY, DISTANCE IS THE KEY FACTOR.
PRESERVING AND PROTECTING IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF
LAW ENFORCEMENT. PEACE OFFICERS CAN EXPOSE THEMSELVES
UNNECESSARILY TO HARMFUL MATERIALS BY RUSHING INTO A
HAZMAT SCENE WITHOUT PROPER PRECAUTIONS.
Exposure Routes
Exposure Routes
HAZMAT COMPOUNDS:
Gases
Liquids
Solids
● Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
● Black Powder
● Lead azide
● ANFO
● PETN
Explosives (Class 1)
Gases (Class 2)
●Anhydrous
Ammonia
●Hydrogen Sulfide
●etc
Flammable/Combustible Liquids
(Class 3)
● Gasoline
● Alcoholic Beverages
● Hydrazine
● Toluene
● Acetone
Flammable Solids (Class 4)
● Aluminum phosphide
● Naphthalene
● Sodium
● Barium
● Carbon
Oxidizers & Organic Peroxides
(Class 5)
● Red Fuming Nitric Acid
● Nitrogen tetroxide
● Potassium nitrate
● Calcium Nitrate
● Fluorine
Poisonous & Infections Materials
(Class 6)
● Hydrazine
● Nicotine
● Acrolein
● Fluorine
● Bromine
Radioactive Materials (Class
7)
●Uranium Hexafluoride
●Thorium
Corrosive Materials (Class 8)
●Red Fuming Nitric
Acid
●Sodium hydroxide
●Sulfuric Acid
●Hydrazine
●Bromine
Misc. Hazardous Materials (Class
9)
● Ammonium nitrate fertilizers
● Hazardous waste
● Wheelchairs
● Automobiles
● Asbestos
WHAT MAKES THEM HAZARDOUS
LOCATIONS:
BAYER
UC BERKELEY
HOSPITALS
INDUSTRIAL AREAS
RAILROAD
SUICIDES
DRUG LABS
Officer Safety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z
nQwAcOQffQ
Arrival
PPE
Realistically, you have none.
DECON
WATER…THAT’S IT.
Signs
EGRS-App
