CHAPTER 4 RESPONDING TO GAS EMERGENCIES
Materials: Managing the Incident. Now in its third edition over 100,000 copies have been circulated around the world. The eight tactical functions follow a logical sequence of activity that needs to be evaluated at any natural gas or hazmat incident. While not all of the steps have to be performed at each inci- dent, they should be evaluated in the order listed below.
ThE EIGhT STEp pROcESS© V4.1
1) Site Management and Control 2) Identify the Problem 3) Hazard and Risk Evaluation 4) Select Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment 5) Information Management and Resource Coordination 6) Implement Response Objectives 7) Decontamination and Clean-Up Operations 8) Terminate the Incident
Step 1: Site Management and control STREET SMART TIP
“Whummph” is pretty much the same sound any flammable product makes, whether it is made by natural gas, propane, or gasoline. “Flammable” is the technical term for street smart noise “whummph”.
It is better to recognize the hazard than experi- ence it! Remember, responders, don’t disre- gard the hazards of flam- mable products. always respect the “noise” is just an ignition away!
Site management refers to management of the physical layout of the incident. It is the one single function that, if not properly implemented very early in the incident, creates the greatest managerial and logistical problems at the site. Experience has shown that in- cidents that are managed poorly in the initial stages are very difficult to control as the incident progresses. Approach to suspected re-
FIGURE 4.3 Securing the scene at a natural gas emer- gency.
leases of natural gas should always be cautious. Initially, keep all people back an appropriate distance. Response personnel must be alert for odor, broken pipes, excavations, collapse, or unusual signs. In a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake, the potential for gas releases is great; for example, in the 1989 Loma-Preita earthquake there were thousands of gas incidents in San Francisco alone. Caution should be taken at every site. If proper evaluation cannot be made, or if there is a known release but the
location and concentration are unknown, responders should secure the scene and take a defensive position and call for assistance.
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