This is the first brochure in the Hazardous Materials Emergencies Citizen Guide series. Other brochures in the series include "Obtaining Information on Chemicals Stored in Bucks County" and "Evacuation From A Hazardous Materials Incident".
1. What Are Hazardous Materials?
Hazardous materials are substances or materials which pose a potential risk to life, health or property because of their chemical or biological nature. Examples are petroleum, chlorine gas, sulfuric acid and hydrazine.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has determined that a hazardous material is a substance or material which is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported in commerce.
2. What is a "Hazmat" Incident?
A hazardous materials or "hazmat" incident is an accidental release of toxic substances into the environment.
3. How Many Hazardous Materials Incidents Occur in Bucks County annually?
In 1996, the Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) responded to 19 incidents involving chemical spills or leaks.
4. How Many People Are Affected Annually in Bucks County Because of
Hazardous Materials Incidents?
In Bucks County, no citizens were evacuated from hazardous materials incidents occurring in 1996.
5. How Do I Report a Hazmat Incident?
If you suspect a hazardous materials incident, call "911". Your Fire Department will alert the proper authorities, including the Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT). To assist you in properly reporting a spill, please refer to the Hazardous Materials Spill Report Form (click to download a copy).
6. How Do the Different Levels of Government Respond to Hazardous Materials Emergencies?
The role of local and county agencies, should there be a hazardous materials incident, is described below:
Emergency Management Agency
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) serves as the State Emergency Response Commission for Title III, "The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act" of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986.
The Bucks County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) office is staffed by county personnel who maintain records related to SARA reporting requirements and planning. The EMA also handles the administrative and regulatory functions of the hazardous materials program.
The volunteer Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) operates as an entity of the EMA. The EMA staff conducts continuous planning and training exercises to improve the readiness to respond to emergencies for the local, county and private sector agencies. If an incident were to develop beyond the response capability of the local and county agencies, the EMA would request and coordinate assistance from the state and federal agencies.
The EMA follows procedures in the county's Emergency Operations Plan and the SARA Title III Comprehensive Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan.
Bucks Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
When a hazardous materials emergency occurs, the local fire and police departments are the first agencies to respond.
Should the resources of the local fire department be insufficient in a chemical emergency, the needed assistance would be requested under mutual-aid agreements with neighboring fire departments.
The county operates a 32 member volunteer Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT). These members receive specialized training in the command and control of an incident, as well as techniques for stopping leaks from tank cars, drums and other containers.
The Bucks County Hazardous Incident Response Team operates five emergency response vehicles. These are located in two different areas of the county.
In Doylestown, the current equipment includes:
In Bristol, a level "B" response vehicle is stationed. This includes most of the equipment in the level "A" vehicle, except the fully encapsulated vapor-tight suits.
Police Department
The local police department provides security and assists in evacuating any areas around the hazardous materials accident.
7. How Can Citizens Get Involved?
Under SARA Title III, the Bucks County Commissioners appointed a local emergency planning committee (LEPC), whose responsibility is to maintain the county's hazardous materials emergency response plan. The committee includes representatives from industry, medical services, police, fire, and government agencies, as well as interested citizens.
For additional information, contact the Emergency Management Agency, 911 Freedom Way, Ivyland, PA 18974 or call (215)348-7518.