Basics of Radiation

Detection

Measurement

Safety Around Radiation Sources

Types of Radiation Exposure

Managing Radiation Emergencies

• Guidance for Prehospital Emergency Services
• Guidance for Hospital Medical Management

Guidance for Prehospital Emergency Services

Introduction || Guidelines || Hazard Identification || Control Zone || Emergency Medical Management || Responding to a Fire || Responding to a Spill || Responding to a Nuclear Weapons Accident

General Guidelines for Responding to a Fire*

Consult the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook.

• Some materials may react with water or water vapor in air to form a hazardous vapor.

• Small Fires: Dry chemical, CO₂, Halon, water spray, or regular foam.
  Large Fires: Water spray, fog, or regular foam.

• Move undamaged containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not touch damaged containers.

• Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water from the side until well after fire is out.

• Fight fire as if toxic chemicals are involved. To the extent possible, keep upwind and avoid smoke, fumes, gases, and dusts.

• For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

• Stay away from ends of tanks. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from a venting safety device or if there is discoloration of tanks due to fire. Fight fires from maximum distance.

• Delay cleanup until radiation authority provides guidance.

• As much as possible, form barrier to contain fire, water that may be contaminated with radioactive, and/or other chemicals.

  Use established fire-fighting procedures and protocols. Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.

  *Adapted from DOT Emergency Response Guidebook.