Emergency Plans, Teams, Services

Hazardous Materials Incident

 

Background:

  • All chemical and biological materials stored and handled on campus normally pose no extreme threat to the college community. However, during times of natural or man made disasters, these materials become a very special concern to the college community, as well as to the emergency personnel who may be responding to an affected area.
  • Since the loss of life and the contamination of property are usually primary in this type of hazard, the immediate action in response is critical.
  • The report of any suspected and/or potential spill, reaction, release or other condition involving hazardous chemicals or biological agents will be considered by responding personnel as factual.

 

 

Initial Notification of Hazardous Materials Incident:

  • Evacuate the room immediately, if the air conditioning system is on (or heating), evacuate the entire building.
  • Call Campus Public Safety at Ext. 411 or (541) 926-6855, and/or 911 - give them:
  • Location of the incident,
  • Type of incident (spill, leak, fire, explosion, etc.),
  • General description of the type of hazardous material (caustic, poison, flammable liquid or gas, biological agent, etc.),
  • Best direction of approach by emergency response units, taking into account wind direction, blocked streets, and access,
  • Estimate of immediate needs for ambulances.
  • External HAZMAT Emergencies: the Campus Public Safety Office and President's Office are normally notified by local agencies. If advised or ordered by local emergency authorities, the LBCC Incident Commander will set up a remote Emergency Operations Center and use the Emergency Operations Plan.

 

 

Operational Response:

The Safety and Loss Prevention department shall be the first contact for any hazardous materials response. They will immediately notify 911, if needed, and the LBCC HazMat Incidental Spill Response Team. The immediate task for Public Safety and the Team is to work together to provide a safe perimeter and to learn as much as possible about the exact threat posed by the incident. This information is to be passed on to the Albany Fire Department as quickly as possible, either through the dispatcher or directly to fire department responders on the scene. Campus Public Safety personnel and the Response Team will then assist civil authorities in coordinating the on-campus reaction to the event. Should the event proceed to pose a threat to the community, the Incident Commander or designee will activate the Emergency Operations Plan and Emergency Operations Center.

 

 

Shelter in Place vs. Campus Evacuation decisions are critical:

If possible, local Fire Department or other EMS agencies will advise LBCC on what to do. If they are not available, the college should consider these factors:

  • The type of chemical agent or material,
  • Expected concentration (nuisance vs. dangerous),
  • Wind direction and speed (does it blow towards or away?),
  • Advice of LBCC Spill Response Team with chemical or HAZMAT training,
  • Student population on campus,
  • Ability to move people off-campus without interfering with emergency responders.