This is an excellent guide to instituting hazardous materials response for public or private emergency response providers. It explores the medical aspects of hazardous material response including the initial response, chemical and toxicological information, effects on body systems -- injury and treatment, physiology and treatments of common poisonings. By gaining an overview, gathering and understanding information, the reader learns how to make decisions based on a scale of risk versus gain. Topics such as efforts such as decontamination techniques, specialized equipment, and simple antidotal treatments are discussed as they relate to the hazardous material incident.
Does the identification number 60 indicate a toxic substance or a flammable solid, in the molten state at an elevated temperature? Does the identification number 1035 indicate ethane or butane? What is the difference between natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas distribution pipelines? If you came upon an overturned truck on the highway that was leaking, would you be able to identify if it was hazardous and know what steps to take? Questions like these and more are answered in the Emergency Response Guidebook. Learn how to identify symbols for and vehicles carrying toxic, flammable, explosive, radioactive, or otherwise harmful substances and how to respond once an incident involving those substances has been identified. Always be prepared in situations that are unfamiliar and dangerous and know how to rectify them. Keeping this guide around at all times will ensure that, if you were to come upon a transportation situation involving hazardous substances or dangerous goods, you will be able to help keep others and yourself out of danger. With color-coded pages for quick and easy reference, this is the official manual used by first responders in the United States and Canada for transportation incidents involving dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
The two-volume Emergency Medical Services: Clinical Practice and Systems Oversight delivers a thorough foundation upon which to succeed as an EMS medical director and prepare for the NAEMSP National EMS Medical Directors Course and Practicum. Focusing on EMS in the 'real world', the book offers specific management tools that will be useful in the reader's own local EMS system and provides contextual understanding of how EMS functions within the broader emergency care system at a state, local, and national level. The two volumes offer the core knowledge trainees will need to successfully complete their training and begin their career as EMS physicians, regardless of the EMS systems in use in their areas. A companion website rounds out the book's offerings with audio and video clips of EMS best practice in action. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to the history of EMS An exploration of EMS airway management, including procedures and challenges, as well as how to manage ventilation, oxygenation, and breathing in patients, including cases of respiratory distress Practical discussions of medical problems, including the challenges posed by the undifferentiated patient, altered mental status, cardiac arrest and dysrhythmias, seizures, stroke, and allergic reactions An examination of EMS systems, structure, and leadership
Marked by its risk-based response philosophy, Hazardous Materials Incidents is an invaluable procedural manual and all-inclusive information resource for emergency services professionals faced with the challenge of responding swiftly and effectively to hazardous materials and terrorism incidents. Easy-to-read and perfect for use in HazMat awareness, operations, and technician-level training courses, this "Operations Plus" book begins by acquainting readers with current laws and regulations, including those governing emergency planning and workplace safety. Subsequent chapters provide in-depth information about personal protective equipment and its limitations; protective actions ranging from site management and rescue through evacuation and decontamination; product control including the use of carbon monoxide detectors; responses to terrorism and terrorist groups; law enforcement activities such as SWAT operations and evidence collection; and more! A key resource for every fire, police, EMS, and industrial responder, Hazardous Materials Incidents is one of the few books available today that is modeled on current ways of thinking about HazMat and terrorism responses and operations.
Sets forth what to do and what not to do to keep people and property safe Based on the author's more than two decades of managing core facets of emergency planning and response, this book enables readers to minimize the possibility of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) disaster or a hazardous material (hazmat) incident at public events. Moreover, it sets forth the tools needed to quickly respond to an incident in order to avoid or minimize casualties and damages. With its comprehensive approach, the book equips readers to plan for and manage a multi-disciplinary safety and emergency response team, including police, security, medical, military, and fire and civil protection personnel. CBRN and Hazmat Incidents at Major Public Events examines all aspects of security planning and emergency response, including: General planning and preparedness procedures such as initial considerations, response network development, and training and exercise Planning and preparedness for security and emergency response providers, including medical, fire, police, military, and VIP protection personnel Incident response, including initial response, detection and identification, and law enforcement Lastly, the author provides fourteen specific public event scenarios, explaining what to do and what not to do for effective emergency planning and response to CBRN and hazmat incidents. These scenarios also set the foundation for preparedness training and exercises. Throughout the book, sidebars summarize the author's extensive operational and managerial experience, helping readers focus on the core tested and proven strategies and techniques needed to prevent or mitigate the impact of a CBRN or hazmat incident. With its unique focus on CBRN and hazmats, this book is essential reading for all personnel charged with protecting lives and property at large public events.
This book, written by members of the core faculty responsible for European courses on Medical Response to Major Incidents (MRMI), is a practical guide for all medical staff on how to respond to a wide range of disaster scenarios. The entire spectrum of knowledge is covered, from command and coordination through to the management of individual casualties. Central importance is attached to the key component of decision making by explaining what needs to be done for patients in particular situations and the required order and timing of treatment measures. Simplified methods receive due attention, as it is often necessary for medical staff to administer primary treatment outside of their own specialty. This book will prove an invaluable aid to all who may be involved in the response to major accidents and disasters, including medical and nursing students, ambulance crew, and military personnel as well as medical specialists.
First responders who arrive on scene of a hazardous materials incident may be assigned to an engine, ladder truck, rescue, or ambulance with very little sophisticated HAZMAT equipment. Despite these limitations, their actions during the initial response will often set the stage for the success or failure of the entire event. Many incidents start out as minor "routine" events that suddenly escalate when something goes terribly wrong. Perhaps first responders did not anticipate the involvement of hazardous materials in a response to a rear-end collision involving two passenger vehicles, an EMS call at a residence for difficulty breathing, or a trash fire. That is until it was too late! First responders, despite their best intentions, can quickly become part of any hazardous materials problem. The results can be first responders who are killed or seriously injured, or those who suffer devastating illnesses years after exposure to a hazardous material. Even if you have hours of training on hazardous materials response, this book will provide every reader with... - Practical advice based on the real-life experiences of first responders - A one-stop source on topics such as atmospheric monitors and class B foam - Steps to managing "routine" incidents to prevent them from becoming disasters - Limitations of federal hazardous materials regulations you need to know - Real-world examples of first responders who won (or lost) the battle with hazardous materials
This Revised Third Edition is now updated to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines. The need for hazardous materials emergency response has grown with the increased use of chemicals and the threat of terrorism. Designed for both the EMS field provider and first receivers in the hospital setting, this important resource provides field recognition and management guidelines for hazardous materials exposures and associated medical emergencies, including emergency care of exposed and contaminated patients. The 3rd edition has been expanded to provide responders with the information necessary to identify the scene of a terrorist act involving the use of hazardous materials, as well as triage procedures for chemical exposure and the management of a mass casualty incident. A total of 140 guidelines, cross-referenced to indexes, provide essential information on hazard classes and specific chemicals with initial hospital considerations. Descriptions of procedures, scene operations and support, medical surveillance, and suggested emergency equipment. Extensive indexes supply multiple ways to access important information to save critical time in the field. Content is updated to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines. Over 30 new WMD agent guidelines provide concise, consistent information on managing exposure to high-risk substances. Expanded size includes over 150 pages of new material. An expanded index and updated treatment guidelines are included. The treatment protocol section, drug protocol section, and EMS/hazardous materials operating procedures are updated and expanded. How to identify the scene of a terrorist act involving the use of hazardous materials. Information on mass casualty decontamination and crime scene identification will help reader formulate a plan before beginning to work.
The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks? Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified. The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers.
