Fire Protection
Fire departments are
typically responsible for emergency planning and emergency
mitigation, including fire response and suppression (i.e.,
firefighting) and hazardous materials response. In this role, fire
departments attempt to safeguard lives and property against the
injurious effects of accidents or uncontrolled hazards, fire,
explosion, or hazardous materials. Fire protection activities have
the potential to impact the environment and are regulated under U.S.
environmental laws and regulations. These activities related to fire
protection and the respective regulations are presented below:
Fire Departments may be
appointed to LEPCs under the emergency planning provisions of EPCRA.
In this role, they analyze community hazards and help develop and
revise local emergency response plans to prepare for and respond to
chemical emergencies. In addition, fire departments receive hazardous
chemical inventory and emergency release information submitted by
facilities and can provide this information to local officials,
community leaders, and the public to aid in preparing for emergencies
and managing chemical risks.
LGEAN resources most
applicable to fire protection include:
-
Public
Safety. Provides a summary of issues including
national waste generation rates, landfill capacity problems, and
landfill and incinerator regulations. This resource also includes
links to numerous useful documents.
-
Hazardous
Waste. Many local governments must deal with
hazardous wastes both as a hazardous generator and as the
responsible entity for protecting landfills and other municipal
solid waste collection/disposal operations from hazardous waste
disposal. Use this resource to learn more about federal and state
rules.
Additional resources
(exit LGEAN):
- Ozone
Layer Depletion - Alternatives / SNAP, Fire Suppression and
Explosion Protection. Fire suppression and explosion
protection have used halons in many applications because they are
electrically non-conductive, dissipate rapidly without residue, are
safe for limited human exposure, and are extremely efficient in
extinguishing most types of fires. Because of their strong ozone
depletion potential, the Montreal Protocol required the earliest
production and import phase-out of halons in the U.S. in 1994.
LGEAN City
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