Community Hazard Mitigation

High-Hazard/High-Frequency Location Identification

In every community, there are high-hazard locations that pose varying threats to life safety and/or the environment. These locations include educational institutions (which are both densely populated and may contain research spaces full of potentially dangerous equipment and/or chemicals), Tier-II/Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) facilities, manufacturing plants, etc. Information about these locations must be properly documented so that potential large-scale incidents can be planned for before they happen.

Using call response data, community risk surveys, and other community risk reduction (CRR) data, we can help you identify high-hazard locations. Understanding where these locations are as well as how they utilize your department’s resources can lower overall risk to both first responders and the community at large. Proper documentation of these locations can also help your department communicate your greatest areas of need to monetary stakeholders (e.g., town council, external funding sponsors).

EPCRA/OSHA Compliance

Did you know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all fire departments to maintain a database of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all substances/chemicals used and stored in your department (this includes the soap you use to wash your apparatus)? The information in this database must be retained for 30 years! Moreover, you must maintain 3 years of records for any Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Tier-II/EHS facilities within your jurisdiction. Do you know where to begin? We can help guide you to compliance, and can help you incorporate Tier-II reports into your record management system (RMS) program.