CHMM Emergency Response and Recovery 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'shelter-in-place' as a protective action during a hazmat release?
- Evacuating residents to a pre-designated shelter facility
- Having people remain indoors with windows/doors closed to reduce exposure (Correct answer)
- Moving responders to the warm zone perimeter
- Sending residents to high-ground locations away from vapors
Correct answer: Having people remain indoors with windows/doors closed to reduce exposure
Shelter-in-place directs people to stay inside buildings with openings sealed to minimize exposure to outdoor contaminants.
Question 2: The National Incident Management System (NIMS) requires that span of control during an emergency be maintained at:
- 1:3 to 1:5 (one supervisor per 3-5 personnel) (Correct answer)
- 1:7 to 1:10 (one supervisor per 7-10 personnel)
- 1:2 to 1:3 (one supervisor per 2-3 personnel)
- 1:10 to 1:15 (one supervisor per 10-15 personnel)
Correct answer: 1:3 to 1:5 (one supervisor per 3-5 personnel)
NIMS recommends a span of control ratio of 1:3 to 1:5, with 1:5 being optimal in emergency situations.
Question 3: Under 40 CFR Part 300 (National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan), a 'removal action' is best characterized as:
- Long-term remedial cleanup at a Superfund site
- Short-term response to address an immediate threat to health or environment (Correct answer)
- Annual inspections of hazardous waste storage facilities
- Transport of hazardous materials off-site for treatment
Correct answer: Short-term response to address an immediate threat to health or environment
A removal action under the NCP is a short-term emergency or time-critical response to immediately threatening conditions.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of conducting a 'hot wash' immediately after a hazmat incident?
- To decontaminate equipment using high-pressure hot water
- To brief media on what chemicals were released
- To conduct an immediate after-action review while events are fresh (Correct answer)
- To document financial costs for FEMA reimbursement
Correct answer: To conduct an immediate after-action review while events are fresh
A hot wash is an immediate after-action review conducted at the scene while responders' memories are fresh.
Question 5: When responding to an unknown chemical spill, CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) is primarily used to:
- Track real-time weather conditions for plume modeling
- Identify chemicals, model dispersion, and plan emergency responses (Correct answer)
- Coordinate inter-agency communication during an incident
- Calculate OSHA exposure action levels for responders
Correct answer: Identify chemicals, model dispersion, and plan emergency responses
CAMEO is a suite of software tools used to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies, including chemical identification and modeling.
Question 6: Which federal agency serves as the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) for hazmat incidents occurring in coastal zones and inland navigable waterways?
- EPA
- U.S. Coast Guard (Correct answer)
- Department of Transportation
- FEMA
Correct answer: U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard serves as the federal OSC for coastal zone and navigable waterway hazmat incidents.
Question 7: A Material Safety Data Sheet (legacy) or Safety Data Sheet (GHS) Section 6 covers which emergency response topic?
- Physical and chemical properties
- Accidental release measures (spill/leak procedures) (Correct answer)
- Exposure controls and personal protection
- Stability and reactivity
Correct answer: Accidental release measures (spill/leak procedures)
Section 6 of the GHS-aligned SDS covers accidental release measures, including spill containment and cleanup procedures.
CHMM Emergency Response and Recovery 3
Which of the following best describes 'shelter-in-place' as a protective action during a hazmat release?