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HomeMy WebLinkAbout201.003 - Hazardous Materials Scene Investigation Procedures STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES COMMAND PROCEDURES 201.003 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SCENE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 Current Revision Date: 6/05/19 Next Revision Date: 6/05/22 Author’s Name/Rank: Lee Wilding, Staff Fire Investigator Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Christina L. Johnson, Senior Administrative Clerk Section 201.003 Page 1 of 8 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish the responsibilities and procedures utilized by the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) when conducting hazardous materials scene investigations. APPLICATION Any members responsible for hazardous materials scene investigations. OPERATIONAL POLICY In accordance with this procedure, members will investigate the cause and origin of hazardous materials incidents. Hazardous materials investigations shall be pursued in a proficient and professional manner, and to an acceptable conclusion in line with this procedure, while always maintaining the high standards of this Department. A suspected act of terrorism involving hazardous materials shall immediately be reported by the incident commander to the FBI and the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE The hazardous materials team coordinator should be notified of all hazardous materials incidents. The hazardous materials battalion chief should be notified of all activations of the entire Hazardous Materials Response Teams and all potential terrorist incidents. Section 201.003 Page 2 of 8 PROCESS Criteria for Fire Investigator Response 1. General Conditions a. Any hazardous materials related fatality. b. Any hazardous materials related serious injury. c. Multiple hazardous materials incidents occurring within close proximity in a short period of time. d. Follow-up investigation requiring timely action. e. Multiple operational periods. f. At the request of Department members. g. At the request of law enforcement. 2. Criminal or Terrorist Activity a. Any act of aggression using hazardous materials against person(s) or property. b. Transportation incidents involving drivers arrested for suspension of driving under the influence. c. Generator demonstrates gross negligence in the handling and/or storage of hazardous materials. d. Device is found intending the unlawful release of a hazardous material. e. Persons found disposing of hazardous materials in an unlawful manner. f. Presence of hazardous materials or laboratory equipment that is not relevant to the occupancy. Section 201.003 Page 3 of 8 Hazardous Materials Investigation Responsibility The responsibility for conducting hazardous materials origin and cause investigations shall rest with the incident commander or his/her designee. If the hazardous materials incident is the result of criminal or terrorist activity, the law enforcement agency having jurisdictional authority shall be requested. The incident commander or his/her designee shall remain on scene to assist the law enforcement officer. The incident commander or his/her designee will describe in detail to the officer how the conclusion of criminal or terrorist activity was determined. The incident commander or his/her designee will describe where physical evidence is located and ensure the evidence is secured and processed by the officer or the identification bureau. If photographers are necessitated, the Hazardous Materials Team Group Supervisor or a Hazardous Materials Entry Team member will assist with photographic documentation. If a fire investigator is available on scene, he/she will support the incident commander and the Hazardous Materials Team group supervisor with the determination of origin and cause. On-Duty Investigator Unavailable The Communications Center shall make every attempt to contact, in order, the following: 1. Deputy fire marshal 2. Staff investigator 3. Off-duty investigator 4. Hazardous Materials Team Coordinator 5. Law enforcement Officer Fire Investigation Activity Every reasonable attempt shall be made to conduct the following investigation activities: 1. Determination of point/area of origin. 2. Determination of the source(s) of origin. Section 201.003 Page 4 of 8 3. Determination of cause. 4. Preservation of evidence. 5. Identification of involved parties 6. Interview of involved parties. 7. Contact of appropriate parties for needed follow-up 8. Identification of generator. 9. Interview of generator. 10. Documentation of activity. Documentation Responsibility The responsibility for documenting the hazardous materials origin and cause investigation shall rest with the incident commander or his/her designee. Complex origin and cause investigation of hazardous materials scenes may be documented by the investigator in a separate report upon mutual agreement of the incident commander or his/her designee, Hazardous Materials Team group supervisor, and the investigator. Emergency Reporting Reports in Emergency Reporting shall be completed thoroughly and professionally. (Refer to Emergency Reporting 5.0 Quick Reference Guide.) The Hazardous Materials Origin and Cause Narrative Report format for Suppression shall include the following: Hazardous Materials Origin and Cause Narrative Report Format- The following is a sample of information that should be considered when conducting a hazardous materials origin and cause investigation. When this information is available and identified, it shall be documented in the appropriate area. o Synopsis: Provide a brief overview of what the investigation established, including: Section 201.003 Page 5 of 8 Property description Damage Injuries Cause Environmental impact o Status (i.e., suspect(s) at large, investigation ongoing, etc.) o Source of Activity Per dispatch records, day, date, time of initiation, and location Duty/activity of officer at time of initiation and time of arrival o Investigation Initial observation/actions Activity or conditions perceived at time of arrival Actions taken by first responder Actions by the Hazardous Materials Response Team Document efforts to secure hazardous materials scene integrity o Summary of Statements From victims (owners an occupants), witnesses (firefighters, police officers, reporting parties), suspects, other Accurate summarized documentation of information obtained through interview which: Explain sequence of events Establishes description/identity, locations, and Modus Operandi of suspects and/or suspects’ vehicle o Must include, but not limited to: Time of occurrence. Section 201.003 Page 6 of 8 Condition/location of any affected/involved persons/property prior to and after the event Description of pertinent actions/statements of suspects or other people. Any other pertinent information obtained through statements. Multiple statements must be clearly described and identified one at a time. o Scene Examination General description of entire victim property General construction description of container Chronological narrative of scene processing Detailing, systematic, description of area of origin including: Presence or absence of natural sources of release Presence or absence of intentional sources of release Presence or absence of intentional sources of release Environmental impact due to release o Detailed description of results of scene examination including: Location/identity of evidence Points of entry/exit Verification of information obtained in statements Additional information not obtained in statements Section 201.003 Page 7 of 8 o Exposure Actual exposures Potential exposures o Conclusion Explanation/reconstruction of the event based on: Scene corroborated information obtained in statements. Investigator’s examination. o Source of release o Area of release o Impacted persons, property, and environment due to release Cause of the release. o Natural o Accidental o Illegal o Undetermined (when two of the three causes cannot be ruled out as a cause) Disposition o Summary/status of other action taken toward the disposition of case Processing and preservation of evidence Results of area canvas Status of suspect(s)/victim(s) Notification of other parties Section 201.003 Page 8 of 8 Disposition of property Related cases (including law enforcement case number) What follow-up is required Additional Information o Names and contact information of related parties INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES No cross-references recognized.