Module 9: Control Techniques - International Association of Fire ...

Student Text IAFF Training for Hazardous Materials: Technician©
Decision-Making
and Mitigation
Whether you are responding to a transportation or a fixedsite
incident, you will be better able to identify the materials
involved and make informed decisions about your
response if you can recognize basic vehicle and container
designs. Remember, however, that recognition and identification
clues enable you to make educated guesses. Even
when information appears to be concrete it must be viewed
with caution. Always use clues in conjunction with reference
materials, shipping or facility documents, and reported
information before taking action.
All of the recognition and identification techniques presented
in this module can be reinforced with reliable information
if you conduct and prepare an indepth pre-plan.
Pre-planning takes much of the guesswork out of recognition
and identification.
Offensive Operations
Decision-Making
You will need to decide whether you have the training and
resources necessary to undertake offensive operations.
Answering the following questions will help you make
these critical decisions.
• What stresses caused the breach? (e.g., chemical,
mechanical or thermal); are these stresses likely to
continue?
• What is the identity of the product? Based on its
chemical and physical properties, do you have the
resources (e.g. overpack drums, foam, non-sparking
tools, neutralizing chemicals) to mitigate the situation?
• Assess the defensive actions you have already
taken. Are these operations sufficient to ensure the
safety of the public, or is an offensive approach
necessary?
Module 9: Control Techniques 9-53