Policy Text
Policy
411Fremont Police Department
Hazardous Material Response
411.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Exposure to hazardous materials presents potential harm to department members and the public.
This policy outlines the responsibilities of members who respond to these events and the factors
that should be considered while on-scene, including the reporting of exposures and supervisor
responsibilities. To comply with 8 CCR § 5194, the following is to be the policy of this department.
411.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Hazardous material – A substance which, by its nature, containment, or reactivity, has the
capability of inflicting harm during exposure; characterized as being toxic, corrosive, flammable,
reactive, an irritant or strong sensitizer and thereby posing a threat to health when improperly
managed.
411.2 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RESPONSE
Members may encounter situations involving suspected hazardous materials, such as at the scene
of a traffic accident, chemical spill, or fire. When members come into contact with a suspected
hazardous material, certain steps should be taken to protect themselves and community members.
The following steps should be considered at any scene involving suspected hazardous materials:
(a)Attempt to identify the type of hazardous substance. (Identification can be determined
by placard, driver's manifest, or statements from the person transporting).
(b)Notify the fire department.
(c)Provide first aid for injured parties if it can be done safely and without contamination.
(d)Begin evacuation of the immediate area and surrounding areas, depending on the
substance. Voluntary evacuation should be considered; however, depending on the
substance, mandatory evacuation may be necessary.
(e)Notify the local health authority. Such notification is mandatory when a spilled or
released item is a pesticide (Health and Safety Code § 105215).
(f)Notify the Department of Toxic Substances Control. This is mandatory when an
officer comes in contact with, or is aware of, the presence of a suspected hazardous
substance at a site where an illegal controlled substance is or was manufactured
(Health and Safety Code § 79355).
411.3 REPORTING EXPOSURE
Department members who believe that they have been exposed to a hazardous material shall
immediately report the exposure to a supervisor. Each exposure shall be documented by the
member on an Employee Injury/Illness Exposure Form and Hazardous Exposure Checklist that
shall be forwarded via chain of command to the Watch Commander as soon as practicable.
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Fremont Police Department
Hazardous Material Response
Should the affected member be unable to document the exposure for any reason, it shall be the
responsibility of the notified supervisor to complete the required forms.
Injury or illness caused or believed to be caused by exposure to hazardous materials shall be
reported the same as any other on-duty injury or illness, in addition to a crime report or incident
report, as applicable.
411.3.1 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
When a supervisor has been informed that a member has been exposed to a hazardous material,
the supervisor shall ensure that immediate medical treatment is obtained and appropriate action
is taken to lessen the exposure. The supervisor will direct the member to immediately, and in no
case later than 72 hours of reporting the exposure, contact the designated occupational health
provider for medical assessment of the reported exposure.
411.4 TRAINING
All first responder personnel shall receive initial hazardous materials awareness level training and
annual training thereafter.
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