Caitlin Lawrence: "What is a hazardous material and what threats do they pose?
In this video we'll learn from some of the experts on how to
prepare for, respond to and recover from a hazardous
material or HazMat incident."
♫ Music and Sound Effects ♫ "Prevent" "Prepare" "Respond" "Recover"
[Air Force Emergency Management logo]
"A hazardous material is a substance, either solid, liquid,
gas or energy, that when released can cause harm to you,
your family, animals, or the environment either by itself or
through interaction with other factors.
Hazardous materials are found everywhere. They're used
everyday to purify our drinking water, simplify our household
chores or in routine medical treatments, but they can also
present serious threat to people and the environment if released.
I'm here with R.B. at the Air Force Civil Engineer
Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
R.B., what exactly is a hazardous material?"
R.B.: "A hazardous material is any type of substance where there's
a liquid, a solid, or a vapor that when releasing to the
environment imposes a serious hazard to personnel, animals and property."
Caitlin: "So we use these items to simplify our household chores maybe even in routine medical treatments?"
R.R.: "Yes, you are correct. A lot of folks are not aware how much
hazardous material they have in their own homes."
Caitlin: "Now if we have a hazardous incident why would it be so serious?"
R.B.: "What makes a hazardous material so serious is the fact
that it can happen anytime, anywhere. In fact most people
are not aware there's actually four-point-five-million facilities
in the United States that either manufacture, use some type of hazardous substance."
Caitlin: "Four-point-five-million, I had no idea."
R.B. "It's scary because again most of us live in our community not to
far from an actual facility that contains large quantities of hazardous materials."
Caitlin: "Now they're everywhere but when are we most vulnerable?"
R.B.: "Typically, we're most vulnerable with two scenarios.
One, if it's actually being stored at a facility and there's
an accident. For example, there might be a fire which then can
release toxic chemicals into the environment. The other one is
typically during transport.
One of the most significant or unique scenarios would be a
rail tanker car actually transporting a large quantity
of hazardous materials and it derails, which poses a
significant threat to the environment and, again like
I said earlier, to our personnel, animals, and also damage to property."
Caitlin: "So I imagine there's a good likelihood that someone in the
Air Force or their family could come in contact with an incident like this.
Now if we're thinking about safety what considerations should we take?"
R.B.: "One of the things to consider about safety, especially when
coming into a new community, make sure you're aware of the
warning systems. Also be familiar with surroundings.
In other words, are there any type of facilities that actually
store or manufacture chemicals in my area? Also if you come
into, for example, a new Air Force installation, what I highly
recommend stop by your Emergency Management Flight.
They have great material that they can provide to you
and one of the things they're going to talk to you about
for one, is actually the warning systems. It's very important that
we understand not what the warning system tells you but
but what actions we need to take.
Also we should have a family emergency plan. Make sure we
understand it and our children also understand it. Part of the
plan includes communication and it also includes rally points.
Also, very important, we must have an emergency kit.
Know what's inside of it and how to use it. Last but not least,
we have to know our evacuation routes because part of it is to
understand those protective actions when you're told to take
the evacuation procedures, you have to know where to go and and how to get there."
Caitlin: "That plan sounds like it's key."
R.B.: "Yes ma'am, everything about life is plan, plan, plan.
Caitlin: "We've learned a lot about hazardous materials and the
dangers they could pose to our communities.
I'm here at Tech Sergeant Mendiola's home where she's
going to show us some ways we can protect ourselves.
TSgt. Mendiola: "Hey, Caitlin."
Caitlin: "Hey, thank you for having me over."
TSgt. Mendiola: "You're welcome."
Caitlin: "R.B. and I were talking about hazardous materials.
He mentioned there were some things I can do to
protect myself, my family, and my pets if there were ever
to be an incident."
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes, there are. Let's go in the kitchen and we can talk about those key things.
The first thing you need to know is your
is your evacuation route as well emergency communication plan,
making sure that all members of your household know
where the predesignated shelter location is within your house,
as well as having an emergency supply kit."
Caitlin: "I see you've got a lot of supplies here to show me. What is the
most important thing to have in my kit?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "The most important thing for your kit I'm going to say is the water.
You want to make sure that you have one gallon of
water per person for three to five days.
If you look at the water bottles that we have right here,
his case of 24, it's basically about three gallons of water."
Caitlin: "So, that'll last one person about three to five days."
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes
Caitlin: "Food here as well. I know you can go a lot longer without food
but I imagine it's important to have food that will store for quite a while?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes, it is and you want to make sure when we do have those
canned food items, that you do also have a manual can opener."
Caitlin: "If the power goes out how else are you going to open them.
I see flashlights, batteries here, I imagine for the power as well.
A lot of us don't have a radio like this though.
Why is this important?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "You want to make sure that you can tune into your local news channels.
Make sure that you know what those news channels
are because some people don't actually listen to the news on
this type of radio to begin with. You want to make sure that you
do know what channels to actually tune in to."
Caitlin: "That would be a good way to get information. I see first aid kit,
even some prescription drugs."
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes, everyone's kit's going to be a little bit different.
Some people do take prescription pills.
Others don't. Some people do have pets so you might have
some supplies for your pet in here.
Also, if you have children you might want to throw
somethings in there for your children just to keep them busy.
You also have a cell phone with a charger.
With your cell phone you want to make sure that you do have
Emergency contact phone numbers so local hospitals,
poison control, things of that nature for your situation."
Caitlin: "Is there anything else that would be important for
HazMat incidents?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes, your shelter in place kit.
♫ Music and Sound Effects ♫ [Shelter in place definition]
Caitlin: "So, what does it mean to shelter in place?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "The living room's not an ideal location for a shelter in place room:
You would typically use an interior room with little to no
windows, but we have this out here so we can show you exactly
what you're going to use with your shelter in place kit."
Caitlin: "Now this is just plastic and tape, very simple."
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes, it is."
Caitlin: "So what do I do with this tape?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "You just go ahead and seal this. You're going to seal the door or
the window completely. This is to keep as little air as possible
from coming inside. You also want to make sure that you lock
and close all of your windows."
Caitlin: "What about your air conditioner and heater. I know that can let in some outside air."
TSgt. Mendiola: "You want to make sure that you also turn those off."
Caitlin: "What are some other things I should consider?
What if I'm not at home?"
TSgt. Mendiola: "If you're not at home and you're in your vehicle you want to see
if maybe you can seek shelter in a structure. If that's not possible
you want to make sure your windows are rolled up and
also your heater or AC are turned off as well."
Caitlin: "So the key things for a HazMat situation is that supply kit
with a lot of water and this shelter in place tools, the plastic and the tape."
TSgt. Mendiola: "Yes."
Caitlin: "Thank you for these tips. These have been so good. You've given me a lot to think about.
I learned a lot of information about hazardous materials
but I still have a few more questions
so I am back here at AFCEC to talk to R.B. about what
would happen if I got one of those materials on me."
R.B.: "If you're exposed to the hazardous material it's very
important to immediately contact your local authorities
and receive decontamination procedures. Also, based on the
HazMat material, you're either going to be told to
decontaminate with water, or if the material does not react well with
water, you'll be told not to and given other procedures for you
to remove the substance off your body."
Caitlin: "Interesting that you would either use water or not. How will I
know that I have got one of those hazardous materials on
me? What are the signs and symptoms?"
R.B.: "Again, excellent question. Depending on the chemical or
the hazardous material, there are a multitude of different
symptoms. Typically, you'll feel for example an irritation of the
skin, the eyes, difficult to breathe and a sore throat.
Also you can feel cramps and diarrhea. The key thing on this
issue that if you feel these symptoms, immediately, and I
cannot stress that word, immediately, seek medical
attention and let them know what's going on and what you are feeling"
Caitlin: "So likely the emergency room or a hospital."
R.B.: "Yes, definitely. Again, if you can call and back, have somebody
immediately rush you to the emergency room or also and it's
very important that you let somebody know what you're
experiencing, that you've come in contact with some type of
hazardous material."
Caitlin: "Now we always want to help people when we see them in
pain. Is it okay? Is it safe for us to help someone?"
Again, it's human nature for us to rush in and help somebody
who's hurt or down or injured but when it comes to a HazMat
incident, it's very important you do not touch that victim or that
patient unless two things, local authorities have determined
what the material is and they have actually allowed individuals
to go in and assist. Now, when you do help somebody here's
some key things you must do. One, when you move that
individual from the area, make sure they get plenty of fresh air,
plenty of water if you know what the material is and you can use water,
flush their body with water. Remove their clothing
and put it in a plastic bag, and report information
to a medical facility."
Caitlin: "Very good tips to protect that person as well as yourself
but what if we have to evacuate?
When can we go home?"
R.B.: "Again, this is one thing I want to get out to everybody.
We must practice patience. I know what it is.
You want to get back.
You want to get out. You want to go but here's the thing.
We have to make sure that an all clear has been announced
which Indicates that it's safe to evacuate.
Also when you do evacuate you have to be aware of your
surroundings because if something is still present, some
type of hazardous material, it's very important that you identify
that. Get back inside, call your local emergency services and let
them know what you saw and report it."
Caitlin: "So, know your surroundings, be patient, it's all for your
Thank you, R.B."
R.B.: "Thank you very much."
Caitlin: "Hopefully this information has helped you better prepare for
what to do before, during and after a HazMat incident.
For more information please visit your installation's Office of
Emergency Management and the Be Ready website.
You can also download the Be Ready app for your mobile device.
I'm Caitlin Lawrence for the Emergency Management
Division of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.
Stay safe and be ready."
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