Life Safety: Chemical Incident

The Fire Safety Director, upon notification that a suspected Chemical incident has occurred in the building or in close proximity to the building, shall take the following actions:

Ensure 911 has been notified of the incident.
Ensure the Fire Command Station is manned.
Obtain as much information as possible about the incident from the Fire Alarm Panel and other Emergency Evacuation Team Members, such as:
- Location and extent of the incident.
- Floor(s) affected by the incident.
- Floor(s) being evacuated.
- Evacuation routes being utilized and their conditions.
- Stairwells being used and their conditions.
- Blocked egress routes or stairwells.
- Reports of injured or trapped occupants.
If safe to do so, ensure the fire alarm panel is monitored for the possibility of fire as a result of any explosion.
Determine whether Shelter-In-Place, In-Building Relocation, Partial or Full Evacuation will best keep the occupants safe.
- The location and severity of the incident will determine which action is most appropriate.
Begin making informational announcements as soon as possible to prevent mass evacuation.
Announcements should include:
- What has occurred.
- Where it has occurred.
- Which provision of the EAP is being implemented.
  - Shelter-In-Place
  - In-Building Relocation
  - Partial Evacuation
  - Full Evacuation
- Instructions to assist occupants with the chosen plan of action:
  - If possible, try to isolate the incident area.
  - Attempt to keep exposed people remote from uncontaminated people.
  - Evacuation routes to be used.
  - Assembly areas or re-entry floors.
  - Direct occupants to avoid windows.
  - Instruct occupants to cover mouths and noses with layers of fabric.
  - Instruct everyone to AVOID visible vapor clouds and/or areas where unconscious persons, dead animals or vegetation are located.
If time permits shut down the HVAC system.
Continue to monitor available information about the incident and take appropriate actions.
Continuously gather information and have available for first responders using the incident information form, located in the front pocket of this plan, to include:
- Type of incident.
- Location of incident.
- Time of incident.
- Actions being taken.
  - EAP provisions being implemented.
  - Announcements being made.
  - Evacuee assembly areas.
- Location of persons in need of assistance.
- Location(s) of known trapped occupants.
- Number and extent of injured occupants.
Always be aware of the possibility of a secondary event.
For an event occurring outside of the building, wind direction may impact evacuation routes and the use of assembly areas.
The FSD and EETM's must always take into account any official orders/instructions from authorities in charge of the incident.

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