Hazardous Materials

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for police response to a hazardous material spill that best serves the safety of the campus community, the City of Platteville and its officers.

Policy: Hazardous Materials

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: March 5, 2011

Reviewed Date: March 25, 2026

Revised Date: March 25, 2026

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for police response to a hazardous material spill that best serves the safety of the campus community, the City of Platteville and its officers.

Policy:

The University Police Department will respond to hazardous material incidents in a cautious and safe manner.

Definitions:

1. Hazardous material- any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property. This includes all motor vehicle fuels or coolants except spills of an insignificant quantity.
2. Hazardous material incident- an incident involving one or more hazardous materials that may be leaking, spilling, burning or having a potential release thereof, that may endanger life, property and/or the environment.
3. Incident Commander- the Police Officer on-duty will establish a Field Command Post.  The Incident Commander at all Hazardous Materials Incidents will be the Fire Department Chief or Acting Fire Department Chief.
4. Bill of Lading- the bill of lading is a document carried on commercial transportation vehicles, which describes the contents of that vehicle cargo.

Procedures:

1. The first officer at the scene shall identify and relay the scope of problem as to the immediate or potential casualties, destruction or potential destruction of property and whether the incident has the potential to expand and escalate. A preliminary attempt should be made to identify the area that might be affected. This should be accomplished very carefully. Officers shall respond promptly but not approach the scene. Officers are to make observations of the area of the spill from an up wind and upgrade location. Officers need to be especially careful in enclosed structures. No electrical devices should be used within 500 feet of the structure with a report of a hazardous materials spill. This includes vehicle operation, telephones, cell phones, portable radios and flashlights. The officer will attempt to find out the type and amount of hazardous material. Officers should look for the following evidence that a spill has occurred.
   1. Any visible damage to vehicle suspected or capable of hauling hazardous materials.
   2. Any placards or placard holders visible on a damaged vehicle Use of binoculars or other such device is recommended.
   3. Any observation of liquids, solids, or gases that have or are spilling from a container or unexplained odors at the scene.
2. Officers shall locate the operator of the vehicle or containers involved and determine the contents. Officers should examine the shipping papers or bill of lading if safe to do so. The vehicle operator or container owner may also be able to provide information as to the immediate danger present from a spill of this material.
3. Officer(s) will initiate an evacuation of an area or building and will restrict access to the area by unauthorized persons and/or vehicles with all available resources.
4. The On-Duty Police Officer will contact both a supervisor and the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist personnel and advise them of the situation. The University Response Plan will likely be activated, depending upon the scope of the situation.
5. The On-Duty Officer of the hazardous materials incident shall continually update the City of Platteville Communications Center personnel of the status of the scene.  Communications Center personnel shall relay all information to the other responding emergency services.
6. The On-Duty Officer shall provide the Communications Center with a report as to the direction and speed of the wind.
7. All police officers will cooperate fully with the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.
8. Field Command Post Operations
   1. The On-Duty Officer shall utilize the Incident Command System and establish a Field Command Post. The officer will remain there until relieved by a supervisor.
   2. At a minimum, representatives of the three emergency services will staff the Field Command Post. This includes the Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and the Police Department. Other City or County Departments may be asked to participate by the Incident Commander. The Fire Chief or designee shall assume command of the Hazardous Materials Incident.
   3. Safe perimeter distances and alternate routes for traffic, which will be channeled safely around the scene will be established by the Field Command Post personnel and implemented by the Police Department. The Police OIC may consider the use of the Street Department in the placement of barricades for traffic direction purposes.
   4. A written log of all persons who either enter or exit the Hazardous Materials scene will be kept. This will be done in conjunction with the Fire Department Safety Officer who has charge of recording firemen tag numbers. All persons shall be instructed to enter the affected area through this entry point. Any discrepancies or unknown whereabouts of any person shall be reported to the Fire Chief immediately.
   5. The Field Command Post personnel will determine and establish which routes are safe and adequate. The police department personnel, in coordination with the Street Department will establish, mark and direct traffic to these routes.
9. All local media sources may be notified of the road closings and safe distances to stay away from the Hazardous Materials site. They may also to be notified of the alternate routes established to re-direct traffic.
10. Enforcement Action
    1. Investigation and enforcement actions are the last actions that will be taken by this Department in a hazardous material spill. Safety of community, personnel and property shall be a priority above this category. However, an officer may be assigned the task of collecting evidence and recording information for a subsequent investigation.
    2. The On-Duty Officer will see to it that the matter is investigated to determine if a violation of law has occurred.
11. Department of Natural Resources
    1. The On-Duty Officer shall notify the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of the spill as soon as possible. The DNR shall be given any information requested with regards to the spill or incident. The DNR role is that of long-term cleanup and remediation of the costs involved in the cleanup, and the protection of the environment. The DNR may be able to provide valuable information about the nature of the chemical and how to deal with it. However, it should be remembered that the DNR response time is a minimum of 3 hours.
12. Chemtrec number (1-800-424- 9300) shall be called to check on the chemical designation obtained. Chemtrec is a 24-hour service, and can put the personnel on the scene in direct contact with the manufacturer of the chemical in question.