Emergency Response and Recovery Flashcards

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)?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

What is the primary purpose of performing decontamination procedures on personnel during a hazardous materials emergency response?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.