HAZMAT: Incident Control

• SECURE THE AREA
  Control of all traffic around the incident area must be established and maintained to ensure the safety of the public and responders as well.
  
  
• SET UP COMMAND
  Command will ensure the best utilization of all resources. The command will also ensure that well intentioned responders do not rush into a situation that could endanger themselves or others.
  
  
• ASSESS THE SITUATION
  Using information from all available sources, (e.g. senses, testing equipment, documentation and research), the responders will be able to adequately protect themselves and others, and formulate a plan of attack.
  
  
• SET UP WORK ZONES
  Establishing zones will be of particular importance if decontamination is required. They will ensure that the hazards are contained within an area where it is possible to deal with them effectively.
  
  
• ENTER AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM
  Through the assessment stage, responders will now have a good idea of how to protect themselves, and what equipment and tactics are required to resolve the problem. Further loss of life, loss of product and loss of the environment must be minimized or stopped.
  
  
• MONITOR THE SITUATION
  Constant monitoring of the incident is necessary at all times in case of unforeseen hazards and sudden escalation of the incident.
  
  
• DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL
  Contamination must not be allowed to escape from the incident and out into the public domain. After decontamination of the responders and their equipment, everything used in this process must be decontaminated and/or properly disposed.
  
  
• REMEDIATION
  This is the process by which the affected area is brought back to the state in which it was before the incident occurred. This will insure the safety and well-being of future generations.