Fire/EMS
In an emergency, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel encounter many threats, including chemical exposure. Specialized HazMat teams are often part of fire and rescue departments; however, toxic gasses and vapors are real dangers for all fire and EMS team members. In the past, chemical detection devices were too cumbersome and expensive.
Lightweight and easy to use, the Chameleon helps keep firefighters and EMS personnel safe. The simple color-identification system makes readings easy and reliable, even under the most stressful and complex conditions.
Chemical Suicide
In the last few years, the incidence of chemical or detergent suicide has been on the rise in the U.S. While law enforcement is often the first on the scene, fire and EMS teams are a vital part of the response team. Mixing deadly concoctions of household chemicals in an enclosed space such as a vehicle creates a deadly gas, causing asphyxiation of the victim and a continued threat to anyone in the vicinity. This is of particular concern if the victim is transported to an emergency room, where off gassing can endanger EMS personnel, doctors, nurses and patients. If an emergency room is contaminated, the entire facility may need to be shut down, making it unavailable for other emergencies.
Meth Labs
Despite aggressive laws limiting the sale of over-the-counter ingredients, methamphetamine use continues to rise, and in many communities, meth labs endanger residents and first responders. The fumes from meth production can be fatal if not immediately detected, often causing explosions and large fires. These flames cause additional toxic fumes, a direct threat to fire and EMS responders.
Terrorist Incident
The threat of attack by a weapon of mass destruction has the potential to claim thousands of lives in a very short period of time. In the event of such an incident, firefighters and EMS personnel must evaluate the levels and kinds of toxic chemicals present, before they can effectively assist any victims or extinguish fires.
Natural Disaster
It is common for natural disasters, like floods, earthquakes and tornados, to cause secondary threats, including the release of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Directly following the event, it is critical to monitor air quality levels to reduce the risk of harm.
Overhaul and Post-Fire Operations
Containing a fire does not mean that danger has passed. Smoldering plastics, carpets, foams, household and industrial chemicals and HVAC equipment can produce toxic off-gasses. Firefighters must monitor the air quality throughout the overhaul and clean-up process.
Industrial/Transportation Accident
Millions of tons of toxic chemicals are produced and transported each year. Given the potential for widespread catastrophe, firefighters and EMS personnel often respond to industrial and transportation accidents involving toxic chemicals. In these incidents, resources are often stretched—making easy-to-use chemical detection critical to minimizing loss of life.
HazMat
Whether caused by an industrial, transportation or residential accident, hazardous material incidents can threaten an entire community. Specialized fire and rescue teams are typically dispatched to handle these incidents. Even with expensive and sensitive chemical detection equipment, quick and easy detection of toxic chemicals the air is a vital first step in assessing the situation. In addition, detecting chemicals in wet conditions is often necessary.