CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Emergency Response and Recovery Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a large chemical spill at a manufacturing plant, the senior fire chief, the facility's emergency response manager, and a state environmental protection official are all on-scene with command authority. To ensure effective and coordinated management of the incident, which structure should be implemented under the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?
- A single Incident Commander from the agency with the most resources.
- A Unified Command where all agency leaders jointly make decisions. (Correct answer)
- An Area Command to oversee the incident from a remote location.
- A multi-tiered command with the federal agency at the highest level.
Correct answer: A Unified Command where all agency leaders jointly make decisions.
Unified Command is a NIMS structure used when multiple jurisdictions or agencies have responsibility for an incident. It brings together the Incident Commanders from the major organizations to coordinate an effective response, establish a common set of objectives, and share in decision-making, without any single agency losing its own authority.
Question 2: An employee who is part of an organized emergency response team is expected to take defensive actions, such as closing valves or deploying absorbent booms, to contain a release from a safe distance. This employee does not approach the point of release. According to OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120(q)), what is the minimum level of training required for this individual?
- First Responder Awareness Level
- Hazardous Materials Specialist
- First Responder Operations Level (Correct answer)
- Hazardous Materials Technician
Correct answer: First Responder Operations Level
The First Responder Operations Level is for individuals who respond to releases for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures. This level requires at least 8 hours of training.
Question 3: A CHMM is reviewing a Large Quantity Generator's (LQG) RCRA Contingency Plan. Which of the following elements is specifically required to be included in the plan according to 40 CFR 262, Subpart M?
- A list of all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical stored on site.
- The home addresses and phone numbers of all facility employees.
- A detailed budget for potential cleanup and remediation costs.
- An evacuation plan for facility personnel, including signals and routes. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An evacuation plan for facility personnel, including signals and routes.
According to 40 CFR § 262.261(f), a RCRA Contingency Plan for a Large Quantity Generator must include an evacuation plan for facility personnel where there is a possibility that evacuation could be necessary. This plan must describe the signal(s) to be used to begin evacuation and detail primary and alternate evacuation routes.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of performing decontamination procedures on personnel during a hazardous materials emergency response?
- To satisfy EPA recordkeeping requirements for the incident.
- To prevent the transfer of harmful materials into clean areas and protect responders from exposure. (Correct answer)
- To immediately neutralize all chemical hazards on contact, rendering them non-toxic.
- To test the chemical resistance of the personal protective equipment being used.
Correct answer: To prevent the transfer of harmful materials into clean areas and protect responders from exposure.
The critical purpose of decontamination is to remove or neutralize contaminants from personnel and equipment. This protects workers from ongoing exposure, prevents the spread of contamination beyond the exclusion zone (cross-contamination), helps prevent the mixing of incompatible chemicals, and protects the community.
Question 5: A facility in the U.S. has an accidental, off-site release of a CERCLA hazardous substance in a quantity that exceeds its Reportable Quantity (RQ). The substance is also listed as an EPCRA Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS). Which immediate notifications are required?
- Only the National Response Center (NRC).
- Only the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
- The NRC, SERC, LEPC, and the EPA Regional Administrator.
- The National Response Center (NRC), the SERC, and the LEPC. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The National Response Center (NRC), the SERC, and the LEPC.
A release of a substance that exceeds the RQ under CERCLA requires immediate notification to the National Response Center (NRC). If that same substance is also an EPCRA EHS and is released in a reportable quantity, EPCRA Section 304 requires immediate notification to the State or Tribal Emergency Response Commission (SERC/TERC) and the Local or Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC/TEPC). Therefore, both sets of notifications are required.
Question 6: Within the Incident Command System (ICS), which General Staff section is responsible for conducting tactical operations to carry out the Incident Action Plan, such as performing spill containment and rescue activities?
- Logistics Section
- Finance/Administration Section
- Planning Section
- Operations Section (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Operations Section
The Operations Section is responsible for the direct management of all incident-related tactical activities. This section develops the tactical assignments and directs all tactical resources to carry out the objectives developed in the Incident Action Plan.
CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Emergency Response and Recovery Questions and Answers
During a large chemical spill at a manufacturing plant, the senior fire chief, the facility's emergency response manager, and a state environmental protection official are all on-scene with command authority.
To ensure effective and coordinated management of the incident, which structure should be implemented under the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?