Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials
Gaston County Emergency Operations Plan

Coordinating Agency:	Local Emergency Planning Committee

Cooperating Agencies:	Emergency Management
	Fire Departments
	Identified SARA Facilities

Attachments
Attachment 1	Fixed Facility Hazardous Materials Risk Analysis
Also see
Annex	Direction and Control
	Fire Protection
Checklist	Hazardous Materials, Transportation
	Hazardous Materials, Fixed Facility
	Explosive Hazards
Plan	Catawba and McGuire Nuclear Plan
List	Extremely Hazardous Substances
Guidance	DOT Guidebook
Website	Chemtrec
	WebWiser


I.	PURPOSE
	This section provides additional information for a response to a hazardous material emergency and assists the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in meeting its requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act ‑ SARA Title III (SARA) of 1986.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	The specific facilities and the facility emergency conditions involved with hazardous materials subject to the emergency planning requirement of Section 302 of the Superfund Amendment and Re-authorization Act of 1986 (Sara, Title III) have been identified and are listed in the Implementation Manual. During 1995, 48 facilities filed Tier II reports with the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
		2.	Hazardous materials are transported through the county on most roads but these are the major routes:
			U.S. Highway 321, Interstate I-85, U.S. Highway 29-74, N.C. Highway 274, N.C. Highway 277, N.C. Highway 273, N.C. Highway 16, and N.C. Highway 27. Also used are rail routes by CSX and Norfolk Southern as well as three major gas lines runs thru the County.
		3.	Evacuation or shelter-in-place may be required to protect portions of the population of Gaston County.
		4.	Certain hazardous materials incidents may require response capabilities that may not currently be available in Gaston County. For example: Airborne releases, significant fuel spill and or on water, etc.
		5.	Victims of a hazardous material incident may require unique or special medical care not typically available in Gaston County.
		6.	The release of hazardous materials may have short and / or long term health, environmental and economic effects depending upon the chemical composition of the substance.
		7.	Hazardous materials emergencies may occur without warning requiring immediate emergency response actions.
		8.	The local jurisdiction must respond to the incident in the initial phase without assistance from outside the jurisdiction. This includes notification and warning of the public, evacuation or shelter-in-place, immediate first aid, and isolation of the scene.
		9.	Hazardous material response will be provided by the State Regional HazMat Response Team RRT-7.
		10.	The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) has been established in the county by the State Emergency Response Commission to assist in identifying the magnitude of the chemical hazard present in the community, assess the vulnerability of the community to the hazard, and provide planning guidance for emergency response to hazardous materials events.
		11.	The Local Emergency Planning Committee and all emergency response agencies has access to Community Right-to-Know reports and other information in ErPlan.
		12.	Local fire departments and rescue units have been provided copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook.
		13.	NFPA placards are in place at some of the facilities storing hazardous materials.
		14.	Gaston County does not have a trained radiological response team. Responses to a radiological event would be limited to monitoring.
		15.	The Local Emergency Planning Committee does not currently charge a fee to receive Tier II reports, but retains the authority to do so in the future.
		16.	The Local Emergency Planning Committee does mandate the filing of Tier II using the ErPlan web based program. North Carolina Community Right-to-Know Reports can be filed locally.
		17.	Federal facilities report to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
		18.	The Fire Marshal's Office provides fire inspections.
		19.	MSDS sheets from facilities that report to the LEPC are maintained in ErPlan, and are available for public inspection during normal working hours, Monday through Friday.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Planning and training prior to an incident will significantly reduce the risk of loss of life to response personnel.
		2.	If a fixed facility is involved in a hazardous material incident, it will have provided the information on all chemicals as required by SARA Title III, Section 304, and N.C.G.S. 95‑173 (N.C. Community Right to Know).
		3.	Emergency response personnel are knowledgeable in the use and availability of local resources.
		4.	The U.S. DOT Emergency Response Guidebook or an equivalent document, either alone or in combination with other information sources will be used as a guide for initial action to be taken to protect the responders and the general public when responding to incidents involving hazardous materials.
		5.	Response time for resources requested from outside the county will require a minimum of 1-2 hours.
		6.	Incidents in which the military can be identified as the responsible party will generally be resolved by federal resources.
		7.	Parties responsible for the hazardous material incident are charged with cleanup costs.
		8.	Hazardous materials incidents that occur in which the responsible party cannot be identified will be resolved at the expense of the jurisdiction in which the event occurred, unless State or Federal assistance is obtained.
		9.	Every effort will be made to obtain reimbursement from OPA Act 1990, for those events occurring in navigable waterways of the United States.
		10.	Information and claimant procedures are available through the Division of Emergency Management Western Branch Office.
		11.	Within the National Response Framework, oil and hazardous materials response is an Emergency Support Function (ESF-10) and incorporates oil and hazardous materials response (chemical, biological, radiological, etc.) and environmental short and long-term cleanup.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	There are several types of incidents involving a response to hazardous materials:
		1.	Incidents at fixed facilities
		2.	Shipping incidents
		3.	Highway accidents involving hazardous materials
		4.	Unknown material in waterways and woodlands
	B.	The level of response will be determined by:
		1.	The amount and toxic effects of the material involved in the accident or the release.
		2.	The population and / or property threatened.
		3.	The type and availability of protective equipment required for the released material.
		4.	The probable consequences should no immediate actions be taken.
	C.	Depending upon the threat posed by the incident, protective measures initiated for the safety of the public could include in-place shelter, evacuation, and isolation of the contaminated environment.
	D.	Response procedures for each incident will be according to local policies and procedures in compliance with worker safety standards.
	E.	Response will be coordinated through the Western Branch Office of Emergency Management and the State Division of Emergency Management.
	F.	This plan recognizes that a hazardous materials incident can change with time and necessitate escalating the response or downgrading the response as the situation is controlled.
	G.	Coordination between jurisdictions will be achieved through the Western Branch, Emergency Management Office or through direct contact with towns and other counties.
	H.	Training programs for emergency responders in the county will be through individual agency in-service training, community college courses and other offerings of related training.
	I.	Exercise schedules for this plan are developed and maintained by the Emergency Management office in accordance with the FEMA four-year exercise schedule.
	J.	When responding to a fire at a location where hazardous materials are known to be present, the responders will assume the involvement of the most toxic substance at that location, unless otherwise informed.
	K.	Incident command will be implemented on an appropriate scale at the scene of every hazardous material event in the county. The Fire Chief of the district in which the event occurs, will be the Incident Commander.
	L.	Warning and notification of the public, including warning and notification of special populations such as the handicapped, will be accomplished in accordance with the Notification and Warning Annex. Where procedures for public warning have been developed for the population and institutions in the hazard zones surrounding identified fixed facilities, those procedures will be followed. As necessary, emergency vehicles with effective sound devices (sirens and / or public address systems) may be used as a public alerting system. If a fixed notification system is in place around the facility or emergency area the vehicles may be used as a backup system. The vehicles will be dispatched within the evacuation area and will stop at each quarter (1/4) mile in populated areas and at each house or group of houses that are more than 1/4 mile apart. The emergency vehicle will notify the public of the situation and / or recommend protective action.
	M.	To ensure receipt of the initial warning by all members of the community, each route should be run twice if possible. The second run, or "back run", will be to confirm alert and notification. Back runs need only stop at houses that are dark at night or where it is apparent that people are not complying with instructions. If necessary, door-to-door alerting will be accomplished during the second run.
	N.	The Gaston County Emergency Operations Plan will serve as the official LEPC plan for response to hazardous material events / emergencies.
	O.	Current SARA information is on file in the Gaston County Emergency Management Office.
	P.	Line of succession is as listed below:
		1.	Chairman, LEPC
		2.	Emergency Management Administrator
		3.	Fire Marshal

Attachment 1 Fixed Facility Hazardous Materials Risk Analysis

I.	Facility Identification and Points of Contact
	Facility information should be dated for each update.
	Identify the facility by name, address (or geographical location), and normal business phone number. Complete the chart by identifying a (1) primary, and (2) alternate Facility Emergency Coordinator and additional applicable facility officials.
II.	Building Information
	Building Name / ID – The company identification for each building on site. (Example: Building A, Building # 1, etc.). Square Feet – Estimated total floor space. Water Shutoff – Location of water control valve for each building. Gas Shutoff – Location of gas control valve for each building. Electric Shutoff – Location of electric switch to de-energize the entire building.




	Knox Box Location
	Location of the Knox Box for each building or the building where the Knox Box is located. A Knox Box is a locked box mounted on the outside of a building, which contains keys to allow entrance. Emergency response agencies possess an access key to this box. Delete if not applicable to your jurisdiction.
	NFPA 704 M Ratings
	The building ID and the overall health (BLUE), flammability (RED), reactivity (YELLOW), and special hazards (WHITE), information for each building. The commercial HMIS Rating System may be substituted if applicable to your jurisdiction.
	Location of Material Safety Data Sheets
	The building ID and location of the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for each building.
	Description of Building Occupancy / Use
	What is the general use of the building (warehouse, office, manufacturing, etc.)? Include a description of any chemical handling processes.
III.	Type of Hazardous Materials
	For each of the identified classes (Extremely Hazardous, CERCLA, and OSHA) of chemicals, list the chemical name, the four digit UN identification number, the maximum quantity on-site, and the location of the substance. Additional sheets may be attached if necessary.
IV.	Occupancies Subject to Additional Risk
	The primary purpose of this section is to give the Incident Commander (IC) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) a quick estimate of the population that may have to be evacuated.
	Facility Population
	The number of employees at this facility for each shift and their hours of operation. Insert “N/A” for shifts that are not applicable.
	In each general direction from the site, identify the type of occupancy and estimate the maximum number of occupants that may be subject to additional risk as a result of a release that goes off-site from this facility. (Example: residential, commercial, nursing home, hospital, school, day care center, etc.). List evacuation routes for each occupancy. Population figures should be listed according to the time of day if significant differences are evident (Schools, daytime businesses, etc.). If evacuation zones have been developed around a facility, modify this area of the form to reflect the zones instead of compass directions.
V.	Occupancies Contributing to Additional Risk
	In each general direction from the site, identify the type of occupancy and list the population of the adjacent facility along with the source of the additional risk as a result of a release that goes off-site from this facility. (Example: other facility with volatile chemicals such as flammable gas). Population figures should be listed according to time of day if significant differences are evident (School, daytime businesses, etc.).
VI.	Facility Emergency Response Equipment
	Chemical Alarm System
	Does the facility have an automatic release detection or monitoring system? Use the chart to indicate the building, the type or system (monitoring or detecting, local / remote alarm), and the substance being monitored.
	Fire Suppression / Containment
	Account for the presence or absence of sprinkler systems in each building. Identify the location or the control valve particularly in the building with water reactive chemicals. Describe any other special fire suppression systems (halon, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, etc.) that are present or required. Designate main size(s), hydrant locations, static and residual pressures, flow test results, storage tank capacity, etc. can be noted here and on site maps.
	Describe Availability and Location of:
	Special Extinguishing Agents
	Flammable metals and flammable combustible liquids frequently require special fire extinguishing agents. List available supplies by location, type, and quantity.
	Breathing Apparatus
	Indicate the number and type of each on hand at the facility. Type should indicate self-contained (state rating such as 30 minutes, 45 minutes, etc.), respirator, filter mask, or describe any other type. Location is where the apparatus is located at the facility. A visual inspection is recommended to assure proper maintenance.
	Personal Protective Equipment
	This item should include chemical resistance clothing, decontamination showers, personal monitoring devices, etc., that are available at the facility.
VII.	Threat to Water Sources
	The answer to these questions can be found by checking with the local jurisdiction's building inspections department, flood insurance administrator, or Emergency Management Administrator. Locations of water sources and access points near the facility should indicate on maps. These questions are simply flags to tell the Incident Commander (IC) to look carefully at the maps.
VIII.	Transportation Routes
	List each Extremely Hazardous Substance shipped or received by the facility and describe each of the routes used for transportation of the material in and out of the facility. Include all methods of transportation (highway, railway, airline, marine, etc.).
IX.	Personnel Training
	Briefly describe the level of training or special expertise possessed by facility personnel that will be available to the Incident Commander (IC) during an incident. If the facility has a Haz-Mat Response Team use additional sheets to give a more complete description of its capabilities.
X.	Site Sketch
	Draw an overhead view of the facility, immediate surroundings, runoff and evacuation routes. Show the facility, property boundaries, permanent equipment, fences, gates, drains, shut-off valves for gas and other chemical lines, hydrants, ponds, sprinkler systems (and shut-offs).
XI.	Area Map
	Provide an off-site map of the area around this facility. Identify the vulnerability zones, transportation and evacuation routes, possible shelter sites, and facilities subjected to or contributing additional risk. Incident Command System bases may also be indicated such as the command post, multi-level staging areas, decon stations, triage area, public information area, etc. Draw a North arrow for orientation.