Toxic Chemical Agent Incident Response Scenario

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Toxic chemical spills have a severe effect on people and the environment. A spill occurred in a chemical plant that produces pesticides involving a leakage of methyl isocyanate MIC (gas) in the plant. The leak occurred after water penetrated a huge vault containing MIC gas leading to an increase in pressure within the vault. The increase in pressure caused the vault tank to vent that led to toxic gases being released into the plant and atmosphere. The leak occurred during a day shift where about 1000 people were present. The mots important aspect of responding to an incident is the right organization coupled with the correct processes. Response in such a situation requires the application of principles of an incident command system. The Incident Command System (ICS) is a tool used in commanding, controlling and coordinating emergency response (Wang, Ma, Hanson, & Larranaga, 2010).

ICS help in solving problems encountered during incidences such as the leakage in the pesticide plant. Its main focus is clear communication and accountability in structures that can expand and contract when required helping people work together even if they have not done so before. When properly applied, ICS can help in reducing deaths and preventing further damage caused by the incident. If used effectively, the entire resources of national response community can be put into the management of the incident. The basic concept of ICS is that in every emergency incident without putting into consideration the size, the ICS principles are applicable. The first person to notice the leakage is the one who had the inherent emergency management responsibility.

Incident command system principles

The ICS comprises of five main concepts, the first concept is unity of command. It is whereby everyone involved in the incident responds to one supervisor. There is an established hierarchy and authority whereby everyone has the responsibility of achieving the set objectives. The second concept to be applied is common terminology. There should be use of a language that everyone is able to understand for easy communication and understanding in the process. The third concept is management by objectives whereby the responders work towards achieving specific objectives. The responders should work in priority order according to what has been defined with the response plan. The forth concept is flexible and modular organization whereby an organization should expand or contract if required based on the size and nature of incident. The fifth concept is span of control whereby no one is supposed to manage less or more than 7 other people (Wang, Ma, Hanson, & Larranaga, 2010).

Contamination of masses

After the leakage took place there was a contamination of mass casualties within the plant. As established, the incident occurred in a day shift that was fully staffed. It means that many people were in the vicinity at the time the leakage occurred.

Size up situation

The first responders in the incident are very important since they inform others who are not aware of the occurrence of the incident. They alert people that there is an emergency that needs to be taken care of as fast as possible. The first respondents are tasked with the duty of recognizing the indicators of the leakage such as a change in the air they are inhaling. They are supposed to establish the direction where the leakage is coming from in order to prevent people from going to that side. They should direct the staff members on exists from the plant in order to prevent them from contacting the gases being released (Lomdahl, 2003).They should be able to determine the type of chemical agents involved in the incident so that they can know the first aid they can apply. In this case, the first responders established the gas released in MIC. They should give this information to those offering first aid to the victims so that they can know the first aid to apply. The first responders should be in a position to carry out an orientation of the victims who have been affected by the leakage. They should help in determining the signs and symptoms of the casualties so that medics can conduct first aid of the casualties. They should also help in finding out the type of injuries on the casualties so that they can find out the type of help they should be given (Lomdahl, 2003).

Protective actions and organized response

An assessment of the situation should be done from a safe vantage point. It will prevent further contact of harmful gases and at the same time examine the extent of the damage the leakage. There should be a safe access or staging where responders are using to help those who have been affected by this incident. The affected areas within the plant should be contained in order to prevent any further spread of the toxic gas

Emergency response services

There is need for assistance besides the first responders within the plant. There should be emergency response personnel called in to help deal wit the situation. They help in creating more situation awareness to victims who are within the plant. It should help calm the victims down and give them assurance that the situation is being controlled. They create awareness on first aid that the victims can use so that to get temporary relief from the effects of the gas. They should help in moving the uninvolved people from the plant (Lomdahl, 2003). They also assist in stabilizing the incident by helping in stopping the leaking of the vents. They should help in avoiding secondary contamination within the plant and hence prevent the situation from escalating. They also can request for proper resources that would help them in containing the situation. They can request for specialized assistance that will help in dealing with the situation appropriately.

Medical assistance and transport

The people within the plant are all evacuated and taken to hospitals where they can receive specialized care. In hospitals, proper treatment is conducted on the victims to ensure they recover as quickly as possible. There should be follow-up care on the victims in order to make sure they have recovered fully (Gallant, 2006).

Reassurance and proper media information

The staff working in the plant and members of the public should be assured that such an incident would not take place again. The employees should be made to feel safe even as they return back to their place of work.

Recovery

It involves the process of getting back to normal after the incident. The organization is required to put up necessary measures to make sure that such an incidence will never occur in the plant.

References

Gallant, B. (2006). Hazardous waste operations and emergency response manual. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience.

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Lomdahl, A. (2003). Emergency response. Moorabbin, Vic.: Gould League.

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Wang, Q., Ma, T., Hanson, J., & Larranaga, M. (2010). Application of incident command system in emergency response. Process Safety Progress, 402-406.