Hazardous Materials Alert (OPS)

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

220.19 Hazardous Material Alert

PURPOSE:

To create a standard method of patient care for incidents involving patients exposed to or suspected to have been exposed to a Hazardous Substance or Hazardous Material. By declaring a HAZMAT ALERT a pre-planned series of events will take place to protect the patient, our personnel, and the receiving facility’s personnel. A HAZMAT ALERT will provide the following:

Early notification to receiving hospitals of an incoming HAZMAT patient.

Early involvement of the closest HAZMAT Team in decision-making.

Early involvement of Regional Poison Control or Medical Control.

RESPONSIBILITY:

All personnel assigned to Fire Operations and Communications.

DEFINITION:

A Hazardous Material is defined as any chemical compound found in solid, liquid or gas form that is not intended for human inhalation, ingestion or absorption.

PROCEDURE:

A HAZMAT ALERT should be initiated:

• At the time of dispatch, when a caller reports a medical emergency involving a chemical smell or hazardous material exposure.
• When the first arriving crew suspects a hazardous materials exposure due to odor, history or other sources of information.
• By Hospital Emergency Department staff, in the event a hazardous material exposure is suspected, from a walk-in patient and additional resources are needed.
  

Actions after a Hazardous Materials Exposure has been recognized:

• Immediately contact the Communications Center and initiate a HAZMAT ALERT.
• Advise the Communications Center of the EMS transport destination as soon as determined.
• Ensure all personnel are in appropriate PPE.

After acknowledgement of a HAZMAT ALERT the Communications Center will:

• Notify the closest available Hazmat Team to the incident.
• Provide a “heads up” notification to the receiving facility by phone and also initiate a Hazmat Alert to the affected facility via EM System through Medcom.
• If requested by the ED the communications center can place the receiving facility on Status Black until it is determined to be safe to resume normal EMS transports.

Once notified of the HAZMAT ALERT the agency Hazmat Team will contact the on scene crew to accomplish the following:

• Identify and research the hazardous material.
• Determine if Hazmat Team response is needed.
• Advise on scene crews of level of PPE required.
• Determine the nature of exposure and appropriate decontamination procedures.
• Advise on treatment in conjunction with Poison Control and local EMS protocols.
• Determine and advise when transport can be safely initiated for the patient and personnel.
• The Hazmat team leader will make contact with the receiving facility and pass on all appropriate information about the patient, hazardous material involved, PPE and further decontamination procedures as necessary.
• Determine if a liaison is required to respond to the receiving hospital and recommend to the agency, the appropriate liaison (ie: Chief Officer, Hazmat Team, etc.)

Transfer of care:

• Prior to the ED arrival, transporting crews should contact the ED or FD liaison to convey pertinent information on the patients exposure, condition and the specifics of the decon strategy employed on the scene.
• Before entering the ED, allow the hospital staff to assess the need for further decon.

General approach algorithm to a HAZMAT ALERT: