Corridor 9

Early June I posted some information on a CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) class I attended. Unfortunately, when I rebuilt my server I lost a bit of information from June.

In this class I learned how to use some of the most powerful programs out there today for emergency operations. While this software is able to be used at virtually any incident, it’s primary use is for HAZMAT incidents. The three programs CAMEO, ALOHA (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres), and MARPLOT (Mapping Application for Response, Planning, and Local Operational Tasks) allow us to gather information about a chemical, it’s specific properties, dispersion rates and areas, as well as overlay those dispersion rates and areas on a graphical map of the affected area.

For those out there who need the plain English definition: We find out what chemical is involved, make a graph of hazard zones, and lay that graph over a county map to see exactly who would be affected, and what would happen if the wind direction changes.

Over the past few shifts I’ve been inputting data into the program about existing companies and their chemical inventory. This allows us to quickly anticipate the problem that may arise if a spill was to occur at one of those facilities. Naturally the quicker we could interpret this information, the quicker we could evacuate those who would be affected.

Oh yea…. This thing is Mad Cool!
I decided that since I was now officially on the Hazmat team… it was time I took a bit of pride in my position. Since I’m sure I’ll get questions, I’ll elaborate now. The 2 signifies the Area 2 team that we’re a part of. See… the truck isn’t solely Madisonville’s. It belongs to a number of counties. We’re just lucky enough to have it housed here.

I thought I’d update you on the status of my job at Madisonville Fire Department. Since our last discussion in July we’ve officially formed a HAZMAT response team. While everyone in the department is able to respond to a hazardous materials incident at a technician level, there are 9 of us who are permanently located at station 3 who act as the front line attack crew. Our job is to make sure that the hazmat truck and trailer are in good working order, organize the contents of the trailer where we feel best, and maintain all equipment needed for hazardous material operations. I didn’t know it could be so taxing, but after working for over a month as a team, I’d say we’ve got it about 95% dialed in. We still have to work out a few things, but it’s a work in progress.

I’d been thinking about designing my own decal for the fire department for some time now. One of the local Realtors in town have graphics on the back of their vehicles describing their company, name, and phone number. I thought I’d like to do the same, only add a bit of flair to it.

Well… one of the guys at the department decided to go to one of the local sign companies to get a graphic. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the design as well as I thought I would so I figured it was time to get off my butt and design the graphic I’d been thinking about all along.

It ended up a bit different than I initially imagined, but I think it’s totally cool! I probably won’t get the flamed one, but I needed to design one that someone at the station wanted. Now all I have to do is go get it printed out.