This report is an outcome of HAZMAT Incident Commander Workshop held at NFPA Headquarters Conference Center on November 2 & 3, 2016 conducted in conjunction with a Workshop on Key Performance Capabilities and Competencies for High Hazard Incident Commanders (addressed in separate proceedings).
There have been several emergency pipeline and rail car incidents involving crude oil spills in North America. These incidents often involve a complex interaction with various governmental and agency authorities, first responders, and industry personnel. Experience has shown that local personnel often do not have adequate in-depth knowledge of the hazard or response techniques, thereby taxing the ability of local responders to manage the incident in a safe and effective manner.
NFPA codes and standards are written in a broad perspective - establishing a framework that can be applied to a wide range of incidents. To manage and coordinate incidents, the incident commander needs the tools to plan and implement an incident action plan. In order to address the scope and magnitude of a High Hazardous Flammable Train (HHFT) or Pipeline incident, the incident commander needs to understand all the variables associated with these incidents. There is also a sense of urgency to meet the HHFT and Pipeline emergency incident awareness for first responders and the needs of the first responder and the public’s awareness for professional thinking and leadership. This workshop was aimed at reviewing, clarifying and confirming tools for incident commander to manage events involving pipeline and rail car spills of crude oil.
Download the report. (PDF)