US Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Tucker Mendoza.
Group Manager @ Spill Response Association | Emergency Oil Response Training
It is clear from the testimony before the US Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that the first responders to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month were ill-equipped and untrained to deal with the massive chemical blaze that followed. The lack of hazmat training and specialized equipment put these firefighters at greater immediate risk and could raise risks to their health throughout their lives.
The statement provided by the US Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee suggests that firefighters may have been put at risk due to a lack of hazmat training and specialized equipment. Hazmat, short for hazardous materials, refers to any substance that poses a risk to health, safety, or the environment.
Hazmat incidents can be caused by accidents, spills, or intentional acts, and can involve a wide range of materials such as chemicals, gases, or radioactive substances.
Firefighters are often called upon to respond to hazmat incidents, and it is critical that they receive proper training and have access to specialized equipment to protect themselves and the public.
Hazmat training typically covers topics such as recognizing and identifying hazardous materials, understanding the risks associated with them, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively.
If firefighters are not properly trained or equipped to respond to hazmat incidents, they may be at greater immediate risk of injury or illness. They may also face long-term health risks if they are exposed to hazardous materials without adequate protection.
Some hazardous materials can have carcinogenic or other toxic effects on the body, and prolonged exposure can increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as cancer or respiratory diseases.
Therefore, it is important that firefighters receive proper hazmat training and have access to specialized equipment to protect themselves and the public when responding to these incidents.
This can help to minimize the risk of immediate injury or illness, as well as reduce the potential for long-term health effects.
It is essential to ensure that all responders are properly trained before any emergency or crisis situation arises. Proper training not only prepares responders to handle emergency situations but also helps them to respond more effectively and efficiently.
Therefore, it is crucial to convey the importance of training to all responders and emphasize that it is a critical part of their role. Properly trained responders are an essential component of emergency response, and should not be taken lightly.
By emphasizing its importance, we can ensure that all emergency responders are adequately trained and prepared to handle any emergency that may arise.
SpillWarrior
Marine Expeditor/Supt covering Ports/Terminals/Tankers with Capital Marine (UK) CSO support to TARC from Ghana & US As always, a member of "NH & region mutual aid" POSWG (Ships & Barges/Terminals/Ports), Hydrospatial
1 年3of3 A tank ship incident with Molasses. Molasses can be simple if people know what to do and not to do. Vessel discharged bulk then put steam to tanks (clears the sides & top quickly/fairly completely). A crewman went down to help squeegee some of the ROB to the pumps. Might have metered from the top but old rule is "1st person in - wears a meter, last person out - has the meter". Issue? Molasses wants to ferment with the steam added. Creates CO2 & alcohol. Fire Brigade was called to help with personnel rescue. Responders went to "hazmat incident". SCBA & turnout gear. Entered for the recovery of the mariner. Where it was an unknown hazard to responders, gear was disposed. Rumor was approx 20,000 USD worth of gear went where all it needed was a rinse. On board, simple means of keeping it safe for the Officers & Crew? Meters always in with the humans. Blowers on for air exchange and maybe you have to wait longer for workable numbers. So you wait... time is money yes but... cost of not thinking/engaging the mind? In many incidents... the issues are old... not new... prevention is "just basics". Myself? Have had to add time to operations for air quality issues. Popular? No with some and yes with others
Marine Expeditor/Supt covering Ports/Terminals/Tankers with Capital Marine (UK) CSO support to TARC from Ghana & US As always, a member of "NH & region mutual aid" POSWG (Ships & Barges/Terminals/Ports), Hydrospatial
1 年2of3 Open the back to spray water and/or aqueous foam. Inside the unmarked truck was less than RQ of a water reactive metal (potassium or sodium metal, in oil but canisters shifted/cracked, leaked protective oil. Reacted in dramatically / violent ways ("movie scene ready). Another type of incident, propane tank which was not kept cool during fire fight and BLEVE incident. Unfortunately, fire scene was not set up well and the truck where fire fighters were resting at - was in the line of fire (in line with either end vs off to the sides). Many died A different type of incident, Gasoline Tank truck, tire fire. First truck on scene was a "call dept". Driver was told they do not put water on a gasoline fire. Driver got back in the burning unit to move it. off the main road. It was a tire fire initially but became fully involved (while on the side road). Basis? Poor training Another type of incident for gasoline tank truck. Roll over incident where the local Chief was not ready for a roll over. Did it the safest way which was 2 days or more. Typical is 2 to 8 hrs depending upon conditions. Basis for 2 days? The person in charge did not feel comfortable with the contractors or others involved. List can go on....
Marine Expeditor/Supt covering Ports/Terminals/Tankers with Capital Marine (UK) CSO support to TARC from Ghana & US As always, a member of "NH & region mutual aid" POSWG (Ships & Barges/Terminals/Ports), Hydrospatial
1 年1of3 It can be more than just fire fighters who are ill trained for the potentials in their communities. 1 - Go back to an incident cmdr class circa 1981 The old "non pc" item added to "Symbols Section" = "a rounded W with line under it" = "...everyday in everyway no matter any policy, procedure, manual, someone screaming to do something... it is your butt on the line and that of all those reliant on your decisions, actions, in actions...." 2 - A reminder for communities to have some people simply look around the community which was later boosted with SARA Title 3 for reporting on the fixed facilities. On the mobile facilities? Look around to see what placards show for Truck & Rail. Plan ahead and communicate clearly/candidly with industry & civilians in the community & nearby (via mutual aid partners). 3 - Use Caution.... the instructor who made the discussions (multiple) on Item 1 as part of a discussion - held up running shoes & a good set of binoculars (day & night use). If you look in the glass and don't like what you see? Pull back you, your teams, others. A few instances that became "infamous" had to do with box trucks. "General/Common Carriers" in one instance, they opened the back of a burning box to spray
Rigger/scaffolder@Afcons
1 年Well said life is a classroom and continous training create awareness and equips the individual in all learning process.
oil spill responder & Environmental Remediation specialist and HSE Officer, Authorized Gas Tester
1 年Love this