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Fire and rescue services should be aware that if some or all of the materials stored on a site are classified as waste, then waste legislation enforced by environmental agencies will apply, as well...

Pollutants are defined as anything that harms the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, oils and pathogens, plus organic materials, heat and suspended solids. Most of the major categories...

​During risk visits, fire and rescue service personnel should ask the operator if they have produced an environmental risk assessment (ERA). If an ERA is available and highlights a risk to the...

Chemical degradation is the process of altering the chemical structure of the contaminant using a second chemical or material. Commonly used degradation agents include calcium hypochlorite...

Critical or reflective thinking is a process of evaluating what is known (assumptions, beliefs and knowledge) in light of supporting evidence and understanding what that implies.  The process...

The CFOA publication ‘The Future of Incident Command’ made a number of recommendations to fire and rescue services with regards to improving incident command. Challenge 1 confronts the reducing...

Intervention planning One aspect of response and incident reduction planning is to consider protecting the natural environment as well as public safety. The protection of plants and animals by the...

Pollution sources and hazards include: Hazardous materials Eco-toxic materials Organic or inorganic materials Low hazard materials Radionuclides Pathogens Products of...

All fire and rescue service premises have the potential to damage the natural environment. Pollution incidents and other environmental damage can result from spillages, fires, accidents, negligence...

​ Packaged goods transport labelling Different regimes are used to placard and label dangerous goods transported in packages. Following classification, the manufacturer or importer will be...

​ Much of the cargo transported by sea may be classed as dangerous. Incidents involving dangerous substances at sea can be divided into two main areas: Incidents off-shore Incidents in...

The bulk storage of hazardous substances presents fire and rescue service personnel with specific problems, which are: Quantities of substances stored Variety of substances being stored ...

Definitions It is important that all fire and rescue services adopt common terminology and definitions to improve inter-operability and safety at all hazardous materials incidents whether they...

Firefighter decontamination (primary decontamination) is divided into two levels: Initial decontamination is the decontamination of firefighters using equipment immediately available on a...

​ The first or initial level of firefighter decontamination uses equipment carried on pumping appliances. The equipment may range from hose reels to primary shower units. This level of procedure...

​ Note any areas that come into contact with the hazardous materials and ensure these are focused on during decontamination (e.g. feet and hands). When reducing contaminants from wearers,...

The first or initial level of firefighter decontamination uses equipment carried on pumping appliances. The equipment may range from hose reels to primary shower units. This level of procedure may...

​It should be easy to distinguish between LPG and other cylinders (including acetylene) on the basis of their shape (see photos). To distinguish positively between acetylene and other non-LPG...

Only in the case of small leaks that have ignited and posed a contact hazard may flames be extinguished with dry agent before freeze-sealing techniques are applied. Evacuation of the surrounding...

​  Note any areas that come into contact with the hazardous materials and ensure these are focused on during decontamination (e.g. feet and hands). When reducing contaminants from wearers,...