Provided 6-17-16
1516 RTKL 0181

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Office of School Safety

Directive #27

SUBJECT: HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENTS
I.

PURPOSE
A.
The purpose of this directive is to provide basic guidelines for school police
officers to follow in the event of a hazardous materials incident, in order to
maximize the protection of life and school property. Knowledge is an SPO’s
greatest asset in the defense against a hazardous material injury or death.
Unnecessary exposure or poor response to a hazardous materials incident could
prove fatal to SPOs and/or students and staff.

II.

POLICY
A.
School Police personnel on the scene of any incident suspected of involving, or
having the potential of involving any unknown chemical, will treat the situation
as a Hazardous Material Incident, hereafter in this directive referred to as a
HAZMAT incident, and will comply with the procedures outlined in this
directive.
B.
The Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Fire Department will
be the lead agencies and will be the designated site commanders at all HAZMAT
incidents.
C.
Evacuation of schools can be determined by principal and law enforcement
authorities.

III.

DEFINITIONS
A.
Hazardous Materials:
Any solid, liquid, or gas which, because of its flammability, combustibility,
corrosiveness, explosiveness, toxicity, radioactivity, carcinogenic nature, or
bioactivity poses a threat to the health and safety of humans, the environment,
and/or the destruction of property, and any substance designated as hazardous
under state and/or federal regulations or city ordinances.
B.
Hazardous Waste:
Any substance which is ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or which may pose a
substantial or potential hazard to human health and safety and to the environment
when improperly managed.
C.
Hazmat Incident:
A release, spill, leak, collision, or explosion in which one or more hazardous
materials, including hazardous waste or clandestine labs pose a threat to the
health and safety of the community and/or the environment.

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 D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

Hazmat Zones:
Designated by Principal and overall incident/scene commander.
1.
Hot Zone: Contaminate area: ONLY firefighters and
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) personnel wearing
protective clothing/gear will be permitted.
2.
Warm Zone: Decontamination/reduction area: Access area to and
from hot/cold zones. ONLY firefighters, EPA personnel and PPD
personnel approved by the incident/scene commander are
permitted.
3.
Cold Zone: Support/staging areas, traffic posts, etc. This zone is
the “scene perimeter.”
Placards/Labels:
Regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and provide
identification of hazardous materials by use of a four-digit number system on
various colored placards/labels. See current DOT Emergency Response
Guidebook.
Decontamination:
Procedures (showers, wash-downs, etc.) used to prevent or reduce the physical
transfer of contamination by personnel and/or equipment from the incident. The
Fire Department is the lead agency providing DECON procedures.
Hazmat File:
An automated file of the current DOT Emergency Response Guidebook which
can be accessed via the Department PCIC/CLEAN terminal. A complete
printout pertinent to the inquiry is received.
Person-In-Charge (PIC):
An individual designated by the schools as the person-in-charge during an
emergency involving their respective operations. This will be the principal,
unless another designated person is appointed.
Hazardous Material Management - OEMS is responsible for managing the
handling, storage, transport and disposal of hazardous materials, including
universal wastes, within all School District facilities. This goal is accomplished
through the services of professional consultants who assist in the inventorying
and proper disposal of such wastes/chemicals. Right-to-Know inspections are a
part of this program. Contact the Director of Environmental Services, 440 N.
Broad Street at 215-400for all issues involving hazardous materials.

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 IV.

PROCEDURE
A. All SPOs are required to adhere to the following guidelines (As stated in Directive #
25, Emergency Response.)
1.
SPOs must communicate with the Building Administrator concerning
safety/security priorities based on the school’s Crisis Management Plan.
2.
Notify your immediate supervisor.
3.
Shelter-in-Place procedure is always an option.
See Directive #25 II.A.3.b
4.
If it is determined that an evacuation of the building is necessary:
B. All students must be directed out of the building and grounds safely.
C. All staff must be directed safely away from the building and grounds.
D. Officers must thoroughly check the interior and exterior of the building for displaced
person(s) after the Philadelphia Fire Department has determined that the scene is no
longer a “Hot Zone.”
E. SPOs must consult with the Building Engineer on securing the exterior doors.
F. Officers must contact School Police Radio Dispatcher (215) 400-6000 to alert them
to the situation
G. The previously listed guidelines must be followed before any officer has departed
his/her assigned location(s).
H. The Principal or designee will notify:
1.
Philadelphia Police Department-“911” and the Philadelphia Fire
Department.
2.
School Police Radio Dispatcher (215) 400-6000. (If no SPO is available).
3.
Regional Office.
4.
Office of School Safety (215) 4005.
Safety Programs, Emergency Response, Crisis Management and
Recovery Unit (215) 9516.
Parent or Emergency Contact (If student is injured).
7.
Office of Communications (215) 4008.
Incident Control Desk (215) 400-6100 to alert them of the incident.
(EH-31 required. See Directive 16)
D.
All SPOs are to know the School Safety Emergency Response and Crisis
Management Plan of their schools.
1.
Schools are to have two (2) copies.
2.
SPOs must be involved with regular safety practice, attend meetings on
safety, and participate in all safety drills.
07-20-04
JUNE 2015
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF SAFETY EXECUTIVE
OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY

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