Battalion Chief Oral Assessment
Fire/Haz-Mat scenario

You respond with 2 engine companies and one ladder company to a report of a fire in a vacant, residential frame building. While en-route, Fire Dispatch notifies you that the Police are on the scene and are reporting that the building is known to be used as a clandestine drug lab.
(Secret / illegal drug operation)

As the first arriving fire officer, what tactical considerations are needed at this incident?

ANSWER KEY:

• Establish, name and locate the Command Post uphill/upwind
• Prepare for a Unified Command
• Treat the incident as a Haz-Mat incident
• Establish a designated Staging area uphill/upwind
• En-sure all members are in full PPE/SCBA
• Limit the number of personnel and exposure times during any rescue and FF operations
• Isolate and deny entry to the surrounding area
• Have PD secure the area/scene
• Evacuate surrounding properties
• Establish Control zones, Hot-Warm and Cold
• Avoid standing in, or breathing smoke
• Prepare for forcible entry difficulties
• Avoid contact with all spilled chemicals
• Avoid an interior attack
• Use a minimum amount of water
• Dike or dam runoff
• Avoid overhaul activities until the hazards and risks are fully accessed
• Advise members of potential booby traps
• Advise members of weapons storage.
• Do NOT shut off the utilities ( this may trigger an explosion from cooking or cooling equipment )
• Preserve the scene for crime investigation
• Do NOT touch or handle any items on the scene
• Once operations are complete, Decon all members

References:

Hazardous Materials, Managing the Incident, Ch.10
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