12/28/21 Staten Island 10-80 HazMat Box 3531

Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Messages
9,383
Delayed from around 9:00AM

West Service Road near Arden Avenue exit off West Shore EXPWY

Initially reported an auto extrication

SQ8 to SI: We have an overturned cement truck. The driver is out, we have a leak. We need a hazmat response.

SI to SQ8: Is it the saddle tank?

SQ8 to SI: Negative, it’s an acid leak.

HM1, HMB, E165 responding as HM

SQ8 to SI: The leak is stopped and contained in a 5-gallon bucket. We need HM for cleanup.

E165 to SI: We’re almost 10-84, please have HM1 and HMB activate the HazMat channel on their handi-talkies.

BC23 to SI: 10-80 code 1. HM is on scene. Gonna leave E168 on scene as well.

Probably:
E168
T086
SQ8
BC. 23
E165HM
HM1, HM Batt

*Long run for HM1, maps say 27 miles*
 
Last edited:
Joined
May 10, 2019
Messages
484
Since Engine 165 has a Hazmat unit why would they need Hazmat 1 ?
 
Joined
May 11, 2021
Messages
314
Since Engine 165 has a Hazmat unit why would they need Hazmat 1 ?
The Haz-Mat unit has "Haz-Mat Specialists" on board. That is the highest level of training. The 8 squads and 4 Haz-Tech engines are staffed with Haz-Mat II level trained personnel. The Haz-Mat Battalion only has to be trained to the Haz-Mat II level, although in theory he/she could have been a Haz-Mat Specialist, but it's not required.

Response to any Haz-Mat incident is Ha-Mat 1, Haz-Mat Battalion, and the closest Haz-Mat Tech engine or squad. (Think of it as the equivalent of a medical response. If there is a serious medical call, the closest BLS ambulance responds and the closest ALS ambulace responds. Also a Conditions Car (boss) responds. In theory, the BLS ambulance will arrive first and begin care. Then the ALS ambulance shows up and, hence, the level of care increases. The Condition Car then shows up and coordinates resources, calls for additional resources if needed, etc. So when thinking Haz-Mat response, the Haz-Tech piece is BLS, Haz-Mat 1 is ALS, and the Haz-Mat Battalion is the Condition Car.

That is over-simplified but that is the concept. Sometimes the Haz-Mat Tech unit arrives, can easily control the situation, and Haz'Mat 1 and the Haz-Mat Battalion may be returned.

Note: Squads have 2nd pieces for the Haz-Mat equipment. Haz-Tech engines also have a 2nd piece for the Haz-Mat equipment. As far as Haz-Mat responses go, they are identical. A squad also takes on the roll of specialized rescue functions and are trained in high-angle, trench, extrication, etc. The squads can act on their own, but in theory they work with the rescues during high-risk, complicated rescue situations.

AGAIN, to my understanding, this is how the system is designed. By no means does it work like that all the time. Multiple calls, multiple patients, weather, etc., may change anything at anytime! Every firefighter in the FDNY has basic Haz-Mat training, basic first-aid training and basic rescue training and they can act within the scope of that training. So if a ladder comes across a cardiac arrest victim in the street, they begin first aid while waiting for the CFR engine, the BLS & ALS ambulance to arrive. If an engine arrives first at an accident involving Haz-Mat incident, they attempt to identify the substance, evacuate the area as needed, perhaps contain the material by closing a valve, and they can even effect a low-risk rescue within the scope of their training and equipment.
 
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