First Responders - Does Radiation Change the Response
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Transcript First Responders - Does Radiation Change the Response
First Responders
Does Radiation Change the Response
Thomas F. O’Connell
Health Physics Society Midyear Meeting
AAHP February 12, 2005
New Orleans, LA
Possible First Responders
Emergency Medical Services
Law Enforcement
Fire Service
Citizens
Initial Notification
911 Call
Dispatch
Station
Details
– Location
– Event
– Dependent on Observer
Guidelines for Response
Weapons of Mass Destruction
– Hazardous Materials with Attitude
National Fire Protection Association
– NFPA 471 Responding to HazMat
– NFPA 472 HazMat Competence
– NFPA 473 EMS HazMat
– Consensus Standards
Requirements for Response
OSHA
– 1910.38, Emergency Action Plans
– 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and
emergency response
– 1910.120(q), Emergency response program to
hazardous substance releases
EPA 40 CFR 311 Worker Protection
– Brings Everyone Under OSHA
Response Structure
Incident Specific
Multiple Agencies
Short Term or Long Term
Accountability
Control
Function Based
Sounds Like Incident Command
Why Use ICS
Time Proven System of Management
Standardized Approach
Common Terminology
Modular and Flexible
Cost Effective
All Hazards Concept
Command Staff
Roles and Missions
Law Enforcement
– Investigation
– Security of Scene and Responders
Emergency Medical Services
– Medical
Fire Department
– Rescue
– Fire Suppression
Others
Response Ideology
Workforce Protection
Safe Work in an Unsafe Environment
Control Incident Movement
Protect Population
Preserve Property
Sizing Up the Incident
Establishing the Scene
Impact on Services
Personal Protective Equipment
Tactics and Strategies
Offensive/Defensive
Communications
Incident Action Plan
Every Incident - Verbal or Written
Provides Direction for:
– Operational Period
– Measurable Tactical Operations
Minimum of Four Elements
– What do We Want to do?
– Who is Responsible for Job?
– How to Communicate?
– Procedures for Injuries?
Re-Evaluate Constantly
Prioritize Critical Missions
Changing Conditions
Weather – Now and Projected
Unavailable Assets
Additional Assets
Experts
Communications
Responder Questions
Radiation Limits
Dose Rates
Exposure
When to Work
When to Leave
Short Term or Long Term Incidents
Electronic Dosimeter Alarm Point Guidance
Alarm Set Point
Type
Reading3
1st Dose Rate
2 mrem/hr
2nd Dose Rate
1st Accumulated
Dose
10000 mrem/hr
(10 Rem/hr)
2500 mrem
(2.5 Rem)
2nd Accumulated
Dose
10000 mrem
(10 Rem)
Comments1, 2
This is a generally accepted value
to be used to establish the hot zone
(exclusion area) for a response to a
transportation accident involving
radiation.
Recommended value listed in
National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements
Report Number 138
This is one-half of the 5000 mrem
annual regulatory exposure limit for
occupationally exposed radiation
workers.
This is less than one-half the 25000
mrem dose value listed in EPA 400R-92-001 for lifesaving or
protection of large populations.
Recommended value listed in
National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements
Report Number 138.
Responder Actions
Continue rescue and
investigation activities.
Establish exclusion
zone.
Leave the area unless
rescue of known victims
can be accomplished
efficiently and within
guidance values for
accumulated dose
alarms to responders.
Accumulated doses
greater than 10 Rem
must be carefully
considered.
Seek expert advice.
Summary
Established Structure
Trained Responders
Continued Education
Perspective is Important
Integration and Collaboration
Prepare, Respond, Recover