Module 3: Health and Safety - IAFF

Student Text IAFF Training for Hazardous Materials: Technician©
Elements of a
Proactive Safety
Strategy
The safest possible emergency scene is one where careful
observation and planning results in a strategy that takes into
account all of the known hazards. Unnecessary guesswork
can create an incident scene where responders take the
wrong actions with catastrophic results. Having a proactive
safety strategy helps plan for the emergency in advance so
you have as much information as possible when you go to
work.
Thorough Planning
Effective pre-planning is the keystone of a safe response.
This is particularly true where hazardous materials emergencies
are concerned. Thoroughly pre-plan high hazard
occupancies; those that frequently have problems, or areas
where an event could be catastrophic should be thoroughly
planned in advance. Gaining key information about the
processes and products used at these facilities can make
initial emergency actions more safe and effective. Good
planning means that you will know essential information
such as building construction, in-place protection procedures,
and professionals who can be contacted both on and
off site.
Many transportation corridors are sites of repeated hazardous
materials incidents involving roll-overs and fires.
These target transportation hazards can be pre-planned to
determine the safest and most effective way to handle a
spill if it occurs. Be sure to identify critical items such as
water supply and storm drainage. In addition, you can
identify local and state resources who can respond during
an incident. Knowing these contacts in advance ensures a
safer response.
Module 3: Health and Safety 3-77