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Haz -Mat Technologies

This presentation by Lt. Scott Fleck covers the essential aspects of Hazmat response with a focus on technology, strategic concepts, and operational challenges faced by Bloomington Township Fire Department. With over two decades of experience, Lt. Fleck highlights the critical need for effective detection and monitoring systems while addressing the shortcomings of current technologies. Topics include the importance of protecting life, property, and the environment, and the need for improved tools that are both user-friendly and efficient in various emergency scenarios.

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Haz -Mat Technologies

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  1. Presented by Lt. Scott Fleck Haz-Mat Technologies

  2. Background • Lt. Scott Fleck • Firefighter/EMT, Hazmat technician • Specializations in strategy and tactics, safety, hazmat operations/terrorism response, pre-hospital emergency medical care • Undergraduate degree in political science and history, IU 1991. • Currently pursuing 2nd bachelors degree in human biology

  3. Bloomington Township Fire Department • Opened for service in 1971 • Combination fire department • 11 career firefighters (3 per shift, 2 admin during week) • Approx. 8 part-time/fill in positions • Approx. 35 volunteers • Provides coverage 24/7/365 • Fire suppression/prevention, EMS, rescue, hazmat capabilities

  4. Bloomington Township Fire Department • Cover approximately 140 square miles • Mutual aid throughout the county • Regional training facility

  5. Hazmat Response • Goal is mitigation • Stop the hazmat from hurting people, property and the environment • Note: not clean up! • Respond in Monroe County, 5 surrounding counties, 8 counties of District 8, potentially anywhere in the state of Indiana • 4 piece hazmat response unit • Approximately $1,000,000 in equipment

  6. Hazmat Challenges • Known materials • Usually can trust multiple sources of information to assure chemical is properly identified • Usually just a monitoring problem • Unknown materials • Must attempt to identify by risking people and equipment to acquire paperwork, samples, etc.

  7. Key Concepts • Detection • Usually a binary determination • Present/not present • Monitoring • Already know what the material is • Determine levels over time • PPM/PPB, mg/cc, % • Can be intermittent or continuous

  8. Strategic Concepts • Protect life • Emergency responders • Unaffected public • Affected public • Protect property • Protect environment

  9. Current State of Technology • “Dumb” technology • Detection papers • pH, lead acetate, M8/M9 • Binary chemical tests • 20/20 anthrax test • Chemical detection strips/patches • Chem strips • Smart strips • Colorimeter tubes

  10. Current State of Technology • “Dumb” technology continued • CMS • Chem tests on a chip • BADD • PCR bio reaction • M256 kits • Radiation detectors

  11. Current State of Technology • “Semi-smart” technology • Single and 4 gas detectors • CO, HCN, CL2, NH3 • O2, explosive gas (LEL), CO, H2S • Photo Ionization Detector • Uses polarized light to sense the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Does not identify the chemical, only that something is present that shouldn’t be and at a specific level

  12. Current State of Technology • “Smart” technology • APD2000 • Chem warfare agent/gamma rad detector • Ahura First Defender • Ramen IR signature against library • SensIR/TravelIR • FT-IR

  13. Current State of Technology • Unavailable locally • Flame Ionization Detector • Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spec

  14. Field Use/Response • When hunting unknowns, start with dumb and/or semi-smart, then use smart to confirm • Always pH first! • Strong acids/bases eat electronics for lunch! • Add most appropriate for situation, take as many as possible during recon trip

  15. Field Use/Response • Also use general indicators • Lowered/raised oxygen levels • Visual indicators • Green stripped from grass or tree tops • Puddles, pools, gas clouds • Fish floating on the surface of water • Birds falling from the sky

  16. Important Hazmat Points • EVERYTHING EXCEPT PEOPLE IS ULTIMATELY CONSIDERED DISPOSABLE! • If it can’t be decontaminated, it must be disposed of

  17. Technological Shortcomings • Many devices with many interfaces • Difficult to learn and use in field • Many devices do not talk to each other • No unified format • No automated data collection • Technology is expensive • Technology is not hardened • “Firefighter” proof

  18. Technological Shortcomings • High maintenance • Labor intensive • Frequent out of service period • Lack of stand off detection • Most must be in close proximity to the material to detect • Must be carried into the situation and operated by a human

  19. Areas of Improvement • Fewer devices, more capabilities • Stand off range • Detect from a distance or remotely operate • Transmit data • Unified control/report console • Report/document for legal purposes • Linked to database/information • Photo capable • Decreased power needs

  20. Important Features • Must be disposable or hardened and decontaminatable • Intrinsically safe • Economical • “Firefighter” proof • Durable • Oversized buttons, screens, etc • Intuitive, easy to use

  21. Other Areas of Technology • GPS tracking systems • Training systems • Robotic sensing • ???

  22. Questions? • ???

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