Hazardous Materials Incident
Incidents involving hazardous materials may occur in the Campbell Industrial Park, on the surrounding roadways, in homes or businesses, or other locations where chemicals are used or stored.
PREPARING FOR A HAZMAT INCIDENT
☐ Learn to detect the presence of a hazardous material. Many hazardous materials do not have a taste or an odor. Some materials can be detected because they cause physical reactions such as watering eyes or nausea. Some hazardous materials exist beneath the surface of the ground and can be recognized by an oil or foam-like appearance.
☐ Contact your Local Emergency Planning Committee or local emergency management office for information about hazardous materials and community response plans.
☐ Find out about evacuation plans for your workplace and your children’s schools.
☐ Plan several evacuation routes out of the area.
☐ Ask about industry and community warning systems.
☐ Prepare and maintain an emergency survival kit.
☐ Develop an emergency communications plan.
☐ In case family members are separated from one another during a hazardous materials accident, develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.
DURING A HAZMAT INCIDENT
☐ If you hear a siren or other warning signal, turn on a radio or television for further emergency information. If instructed to remain indoors, refer to the Shelter-in-Place Checklist.
☐ If caught at the scene of an accident:
- Do not drive through smoke or clouds at the scene, they may contain hazardous chemicals.
- Call 911 to report the nature and location of the accident as soon as possible.
- Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away.
- Do not walk into or touch any of the spilled substance.
- Try not to inhale gases, fumes, and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area.
- Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified and authorities indicate that it is safe to go near victims. If it is safe:
- Move victims to fresh air and call for emergency medical care.
- Remove contaminated clothing and shoes and place them in a plastic bag.
- Cleanse victims that have come in contact with chemicals by immediately pouring cold water over the skin or eyes for at least 15 minutes, unless authorities instruct you not to use water on the particular chemical involved.
- Try to stay upstream, uphill, and upwind of the accident.
AFTER A HAZMAT INCIDENT
☐ Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
☐ Follow local instructions concerning the safety of food and water.
☐ Clean up and dispose of residue carefully.
☐ Follow instructions from emergency officials concerning clean-up methods.