Hazards and Hazmat
The hazards and hazmat topic section covers operations involving hazardous materials, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incidents.
A hydrogen sulfide leak at a Pemex plant near Deer Park killed at least two workers and caused a shelter-in-place order for residents
Investigators said spontaneous combustion in hop bales caused a fire inside the cold room of a Yakima County warehouse
Boulder County’s new hazmat rig will provide technicians the amenities needed when on the scene for an extended period
Two police officers and three civilians were also hurt; one firefighter is in surgery for a broken leg
With recent attention focused on firefighting foam contaminating groundwater, here’s a closer look at the foam, the risks and the preventions
Residents in 11 homes were kept away for several hours because of the leak
An investigation in 2012 uncovered more than 270 accidents dating to 1968 that could have been averted or made less dangerous if the valves had been in place
The firefighters are being evaluated at hospitals for possible ear damage and other minor injuries
More common than you may think, natural gas-powered vehicles are a serious fire and explosion threat that fire chiefs must plan for
Michael Fahy, a 17-year veteran, was struck by debris from the collapse; he was a father of three
The injured included four police officers, one firefighter and a civilian
Simple tools and processes can reduce exposure risk without compromising the fire mission
Over 5,400 cases of cancer have been linked to the chemicals and dust at Ground Zero
The project demonstrates a potentially safe and cost-effective disposal method for more than 619,000 gallons of the foam
Officials said the remediation alone could cost about $16,000
Hazmat crews cleared the building of chlorine gas after the fire was put out
The current foam contains PFOS and PFOA, which are chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other illnesses
The sleeping quarters were renovated after the night crew reported getting bitten
The fire displaced 100 people and injured three firefighters
Officials urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a special registry for firefighters
A generator was being run indoors at the event, forcing nearly 300 guests to be evacuated from the venue
The judge told CSX and Union Tank Car that the state’s “Policeman and Fireman Rule” does not allow companies to harm responders without financial consequence
The apartment building was cleared over the strong odor of cooked urine and possibly other chemicals
Transportation officials and railroad representatives have touted the rules as a key piece of their efforts to stave off future disasters, following a string of fiery derailments and major spills
The firefighters were investigating smoke at a warehouse fire when they were hit with a chemical haze pouring out of the building
One witness said the ruptured pipeline spewed crude oil like a fire hydrant; the crude flowed a quarter mile before firefighters could contain it
The Washington DNR is arguing against a proposed oil-train depot on the grounds that it will boost fire risk to a level state firefighters cannot handle
Washington state firefighters unions want a moratorium on oil transport by rail until an investigation into last week’s fiery derailment is done
Four of the 16 derailed tank cars burned until firefighters brought the fire under control; track failure likely cause
Foam used to fight fires on the site in the 1980s may have caused increased PFOA levels
Infants and women who are pregnant or are nursing should not drink the water; is safe for other adults
Officials said the crew may have inhaled hazardous gases while fighting the fire
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