Course Library

Haz-Mat Awareness & Response

Information Covered:

1. Risks and Responsibilities of Operating in a Cold Zone at a Hazardous Material or Other Special Incident
   1. Entry-Level Students Need to Be Certified in:
      1. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard, 29 CFR 1910.120 (q)(6)(i) -First Responder Awareness Level
   2. This Can Be Done as a Co requisite or Prerequisite or as Part of the Entry-Level Course
2. Risks and Responsibilities of Operating on the Scene of a Natural or Man-Made Disaster
   1. Role of EMS
      1. Personal safety
      2. Provide patient care
      3. Initiate/operate in an incident command system (ICS)
      4. Assist with operations
   2. Safety
      1. Personal
         • First priority for all EMS personnel
         • Appropriate personnel protective equipment for conditions
         • Scene size-up
         • Time, distance, and shielding for self-protection
         • Emergency responders are targets
         • Dangers of the secondary attack
      2. Patient
         • Keep them informed of your actions
         • Protect from further harm
         • Signs and symptoms of biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical and explosive (B-NICE) substances
         • Concept of “greater good” as it relates to any delay
         • Treating terrorists/criminals
      3. 360-degree assessment and scene size-up
         • Outward signs and characteristics of terrorist incidents
         • Outward signs of a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incident
         • Outward signs and protective actions of biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive (B-NICE) weapons
      4. Determine number of patients (implement local multiple-casualty incident (MCI) protocols as necessary)
      5. Evaluate need for additional resources
      6. EMS operations during terrorist, weapons of mass destruction, disaster events
         • All hazards safety approach
         • Initially distance from scene and approach when safe
         • Ongoing scene assessment for potential secondary events
         • Communicate with law enforcement at the scene of an armed attack
         • Initiate or expand incident command system as needed
         • Perimeter use to protect rescuers and public from injury
         • Escape plan and a mobilization point at a terrorist incident
      7. Care of emergency responders on scene
         • Safe use of an auto injector for self and peers
         • Safe disposal of auto injector devices after activation

Content Creator: Chris Hunt
CAPCE Course Number: 21-EMTP-F3-4308
NJ Course Number: 141120
Total CE Hours: 1.5
Level: Basic
EMT-CE uses the NEMSES guidelines as the foundation for every course outline.