Hazardous Materials

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 10

Hazardous Materials

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose

To provide guidance and coordination for responding to hazardous materials incidents of disastrous proportions.

B. Scope

1. This ESF provides for a coordinated response to actual or potential discharges and/or releases of hazardous materials within Pierce County.

2. Planning for every hazardous material contingency is beyond the scope of this ESF. This plan will provide broad objectives that will provide the greatest protection of life and health, the environment, and property.

II. POLICIES

The state Department of Ecology (DOE) has overall responsibility for 24-hour environmental pollution prevention, preparedness, and response within the state of Washington as identified in the 1996 Northwest Contingency Plan.

The emergency field response to incidents of hazardous materials spills and releases is the responsibility of the local municipal and county fire services, or in the case of state highways, the Washington State Patrol.

III. SITUATION

A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards

Refer to the Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis.

B. Planning Assumptions

1. A natural or technological disaster could result in a single or numerous situations in which hazardous materials are released into the environment.

2. Fixed facilities (chemical plants, tank farms, laboratories, and industries operating hazardous waste sites which produce, generate, use, store, or dispose of hazardous materials) could be damaged so that existing spill control apparatus and containment measures are not effective.

3. Hazardous materials that are transported may be involved in railroad accidents, highway collisions, waterway or airline incidents.

4. Damage to, or rupture of, pipelines, transporting materials that are hazardous if improperly released will present serious problems.

5. Emergency exemptions may be needed for disposal of contaminated material.

6. Laboratories responsible for analyzing hazardous material samples may be damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. Washington State Patrol has the responsibility for hazardous materials incidents except in areas where this has been taken by local fire services. Local fire services may be the initial responding agency. Fire services plans and procedures will detail local operational concepts and responsibilities to the extent of the level of training and resources available.

B. Local emergency responders provide services such as, but not limited to, rescue and medical treatment of the injured, evacuation of persons at risk, initial isolation of the area, and identification of involved materials. The Incident Commander will ensure that the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) duty officer is notified.

C. Wherever possible, mutual aid agreements among local emergency agencies and the private sector should be developed to promote and facilitate the sharing of resources and expertise.

D. Each agency that has assumed Incident Commander responsibilities will ensure that there are trained responders, notification and activation capability and appropriate resources to carry out respective hazardous materials responsibilities.

E. State agencies will respond to hazardous materials incidents according to appropriate Federal and state laws, regulations, and agency plans.

F. Federal agencies and resources will be utilized if local and state capabilities have been exceeded and/or if Federal response is required under Federal laws, regulations, and plans.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Joint Primary Agencies

1. Washington State Department of Ecology

Coordinate the activities found in this ESF according to the state DOE Central Programs Spill Prevention and Policy, and Spill Operations Sections.

2. Washington State Patrol

Coordinate on-scene activities of hazardous materials spills and releases occurring on state highways.

3. Local Fire Services

Respond to hazardous materials spills and releases not occurring on state highways and perform initial identification and containment activities.

B. Support Agencies

1. Pierce County Departments

a. Emergency Management

coordinate and support field activities by activating the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when indicated.

b. Sheriff's Department

provide on-scene security to prevent further contamination in support hazardous materials spills and releases occurring in unincorporated Pierce County.

2. Municipal Police Services

Provide on-scene security to prevent further contamination in support of hazardous materials spills and releases occurring within the incorporated cities within Pierce County.

VI. REFERENCES

None

VII. DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

None

VIII. TABS

Tab 1-Fixed Nuclear Facilities

Tab 2-Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act

Tab 3-Radiological Reporting