How can I avoid hazards?

Question

I have two questions after Katrina and all those natural events and how FEMA did this too, if they even act!!!

1.-How do we assess the situation prior to entering a plant suspected of having a hazardous chemical spill?

2.-How should responders approach the various disease transmission modes when responding to a suspected infectious disease event?

Answer 1

I will stick to question 1.

Whenever there is a suspicion that a hazardous chemical spill has taken place, one of the first things that is done is to monitor the air nearby for the presence of toxic chemicals.  There are a number of ways to do this, including instruments that measure for volatile organic chemicals, radiation, etc.  By using these instruments, it can be determined if it is safe to breathe the air in the vicinity of the plant, and to approach it.  

If there is an indication that a spill has taken place, either by air monitoring or some other means, emergency personnel will usually approach the suspected spill area in protective clothing or equipment.  If the hazard level is high, the protective clothing will resemble a space suit, in that it is completely enclosed and has a separate air supply that allows the person wearing the suit to breathe safely (like a scuba tank).  If the hazard level is less, the protective clothing might only consist of a chemical resistant jump suit and an air filter mask, which does not provide a separate air supply, but which filters out toxic contaminants by chemical or physical means.

Once inside the building wearing the appropriate protective clothing, emergency response personnel can take samples, inspect facilities, take photographs, and use other methods to assess the overall situation associated with any spill that has occurred.