6.2 Scene Size-Up and the ICS-201 Briefing Form

6.2 Scene Size-Up and the ICS-201 Briefing Form

Scene Size-Up Principles in Hazmat Incidents

Scene size-up is the continuous, systematic process of gathering and analyzing information to determine the appropriate course of action at an incident. In a hazardous materials release, size-up must be conducted with extreme caution and from a safe distance, typically using binoculars or optical zoom devices. The initial responder must evaluate several critical environmental and physical factors:

• Topography (Slope of the Terrain): Liquid chemicals and heavy vapors follow the path of gravity. Responders must position their vehicles, staging areas, and command posts uphill of the release site to avoid pooling liquids, runoff, and low-lying vapor clouds.
• Wind Direction and Weather: Responders must always approach the scene from an upwind direction. Vapors, gases, and particulates will travel downwind from the release point. Monitoring wind shifts is critical to ensure that isolation perimeters do not become contaminated.
• Container Shapes and Labels: The size and shape of a container (e.g., pressure cylinder, intermodal tank, or low-pressure drum) indicate the internal pressures and potential hazard severity. Placards, UN 4-digit numbers, and shipping papers are primary sources of identification.
• Runoff Flow and Waterways: First responders must identify nearby sewers, storm drains, and streams. While Awareness responders cannot perform damming, they must report these environmental exposures so that arriving Operations units can protect them.

Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene emergency management system designed to provide an integrated organizational structure. Mandated by OSHA's HAZWOPER regulations, all hazmat incidents must be managed under ICS to ensure a coordinated response.

• Command Staff:
  • Incident Commander (IC): The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering of resources.
  • Safety Officer: Monitors safety conditions and develops measures for assuring officer safety. The Safety Officer has the authority to immediately stop any unsafe act.
  • Liaison Officer: Coordinates with assisting and cooperating agencies.
  • Public Information Officer (PIO): Manages media relations and public information.
• General Staff:
  • Operations: Directs all tactical operations to mitigate the incident.
  • Planning: Collects, evaluates, and disseminates incident information and maintains resource status.
  • Logistics: Provides services and support (facilities, transportation, food, fuel) to meet incident needs.
  • Finance/Administration: Tracks incident costs, procurement, and compensation claims.

In a hazmat incident, the Hazardous Materials Group (or Branch) is established under the Operations Section. The Hazardous Materials Group Supervisor oversees the entry teams, decontamination team, and site control team.

The ICS-201 Incident Briefing Form

The ICS-201 Incident Briefing form is a critical document used during the initial stages of an incident. It provides the Incident Commander (and arriving resources) with a clear, concise record of the incident status. It is designed to be completed by the first-arriving responder who assumes the role of initial Incident Commander. The form consists of four key sections:

1. Incident Map / Sketch: A diagram showing the layout of the incident. The sketch should draw a north arrow, indicate wind direction, mark the release point, and define the hot, warm, and cold zones. It must also identify staging areas, road blocks, and nearby structures.
2. Summary of Current Actions: A chronological log of what has occurred, such as notifications made, perimeter established, evacuations initiated, and utility shutoffs requested.
3. Current Organization: A simple diagram showing which ICS positions have been filled and who is assigned to them.
4. Resource Summary: A list of resources that have been ordered, resources currently on-scene, and their operational status (e.g., Engine 1, Hazmat 2, Police Unit 4).

In addition to serving as a briefing tool, the ICS-201 acts as the initial administrative record of the incident. This is vital for long-term documentation, post-incident investigations, environmental liability disputes, and cost recovery processes.

Transfer of Command Handoff Briefing

As the incident grows, command will typically be transferred to a higher-ranking officer or a responder with specialized hazmat training. The transfer of command must be a formal, structured process:

• Face-to-Face Briefing: Whenever possible, the briefing should take place in person.
• Review of ICS-201: The outgoing IC walks the incoming IC through the ICS-201 form, reviewing the map, resources, and current organization.
• Safety Considerations: Reviewing any immediate safety threats, such as container instability, gas cloud movements, or downed power lines.
• Handoff Checklist: A structured list of items to discuss: current situation status, resource commitments, hazard identification, safety plan, public protective actions taken, and communications plan.
• Formal Assumption and Broadcast: The transfer is not complete until the incoming IC formally assumes command and directs dispatch to broadcast the change to all units.