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<br />The On-Scene Commander on the first alarm will implement the ERP for hazardous materials and assume <br />responsibility for all command and command staff functions necessary to manage the initial response. The On- <br />Scene Commander will call additional resources, as incident needs dictate. <br /> <br />Unified Command: A more complex operation requires a unified command structure composed of the senior <br />officials of various agencies. They will determine strategies and objectives that will fulfill their individual <br />responsibilities while coordinating the actions oftheir respective personnel through the On-Scene Commander. <br /> <br />General Incident Procedures and Site Safety <br /> <br />Hazard Assessment: Early recognition of incident hazards and potential risk is essential. The initial responsibility <br />for assessment of incident hazards lies with AMX On-Scene Commander. <br /> <br />The AMX On-Scene Commander will gather all pertinent response information regarding the presence or release of <br />hazardous materials or chemicals, when receiving the initial call and while en route to the incident. The On-Scene <br />Commander must stay in constant contact with the requesting party to receive response updates, direct activities <br />until on-scene, and to provide status reports as to the ETA of response equipment. <br /> <br />Response Information: Since accurate information about the incident or site might not be available when <br />responding, special attention should be focused on the possibility of exposure in the following circumstances: <br /> <br />a) Transportation accidents. <br />b) Industrial accidents. <br />c) Leaks, spills, or suspicious odors. <br />d) Medical emergencies involving chemical inhalation. <br />e) Explosion. <br />f) Structural collapses. <br /> <br />On-Site Information: On-site information gathering must be limited to that which can be obtained within the limits <br />of each responder's level of training and protective equipment. It is not the best interest of the public or the <br />responders to become a part of the emergency problem instead of the solution. The On-Scene Commander will <br />obtain specific information as to the responsible party and site conditions. <br /> <br />Environmental Evaluation: The following are environments that must be evaluated before any commitment of <br />personnel for any reason: <br /> <br />a) Large containers or tanks that must be entered. <br />b) Confined spaces (manholes, trenches, etc.) that must be entered. <br />c) Potentially explosive or flammable situations indicated by gas generations. <br />d) Presence of extremely hazardous materials such as cyanide, phosgene, or radioactive materials. <br />e) Visible vapor clouds. <br />f) Areas where biological indicators such as "unconscious persons," dead animals or vegetation are <br />located. <br /> <br />Site Security and Control: An incident generally involves the escape of normally controlled substances and <br />response activities involve actions to minimize and prevent these discharges. Site Control is preventing or reducing <br />the exposure of any person and the transfer of hazardous substances (contaminants) from site by civilians, <br />department members and equipment. Site control involves two major activities: 1) Physical arrangements and <br />control of the site work areas and 2) The removal of contaminants from people and equipment. <br /> <br />Control is needed to reduce the possibility of transport from the site of contaminants, which may be present on <br />personnel and equipment. This can be accomplished in a number of ways including: <br /> <br />a) Establishing physical barriers to exclude the public and unnecessary personnel. <br />b) Establishing checkpoints with limited access to and from the site, or areas within the site. <br />c) Minimizing personnel and equipment on-site consistent with effective operations. <br /> <br />47 <br />