DAOD 4007-5, Emergency Rescue Response by Firefighters to Hazardous Material Incidents 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Overview
4. Specifications
5. Limitations
6. Compliance and Consequences
7. Responsibilities
8. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2006-07-28

Date of Last Modification: 2025-03-01

Date of Last Review: 2025-03-01

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) (ADM(IE)).

Enquiries: Canadian Forces Fire Marshal (CFFM)

2. Definitions

chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident (incident chimique, biologique, radiologique ou nucléaire)

An occurrence due to the suspected or confirmed presence of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances, either arising from the intention to use them by an aggressor or following their intentional release. (Defence Terminology Bank record 42965)

hazardous material (matière dangereuse)

Any material or substance that, if handled improperly, could cause harm to human health, the environment or property, including any material or substance that, under Canadian law or the law of a foreign State, is controlled as being, or is considered to be, deleterious, noxious, radioactive, toxic or otherwise dangerous.

Note: Some examples of hazardous material are poisons, corrosive agents, flammable substances, ammunition, and explosives. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 6888)

hazardous material incident (incident mettant en cause des matières dangereuses)

A spill, accidental release, leak, or loss of a hazardous material due to human error or a natural or technological cause. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43092)

3. Overview

Purpose

3.1 The purpose of this DAOD is to establish the safety standards and context for defence establishments to provide emergency rescue response services when a hazardous material (HAZMAT) incident occurs. An effective emergency rescue response is critical to set the conditions for appropriately resolving the incident and safeguarding DND employees, CAF members and the public from potential harm. 

Required Safety Standards

3.2 The Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety:

1. is the primary occupational health and safety law that governs federal workplaces;
2. applies to DND employees and the public who are present at DND installations or directly involved with DND and CAF activities; and
3. must be applied by DND managers and CAF members who have direct management or supervisory responsibilities over DND employees.

3.3 Due to the unique nature of military service, the Code and regulations do not apply to CAF members. To compensate for this, CAF members are covered by the general safety policy and standards established in A-GG-040-001/AG-001, DND General Safety Program and its related publications, which use the Canada Labour Code and its occupational health and safety regulations as a basis. Accordingly:

1. commanders, commanding officers (COs) and DND managers of CAF members must apply the standards of A-GG-040-001/AG-001 for the protection of all CAF members; and
2. the provisions of this DAOD must apply to DND and CAF firefighters who could be involved in the emergency response to a HAZMAT incident.

4. Specifications

4.1 Under DAOD 4007-0, Fire Protection Services, the CFFM is authorized to issue guidelines and manuals to implement the DND/CAF Fire Safety Program. The CFFM has designated specifics of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders (available in English only), as the mandatory standard for all National Defence Fire Service (NDFS) departments and firefighters. The application of NFPA 470 to HAZMAT incidents is further described in Fire Marshal Directive (FMD) 2011, Hazardous Material Incident Rescue Response.

Note – NDFS is used as a collective term for all fire service organizations in the DND, including DND and CAF fire halls, the Canadian Forces Fire and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Academy, Command Fire Marshals, and the CFFM.

5. Limitations

General

5.1 Line-of-sight rescue is provided by firefighters in accordance with a HAZMAT pre-incident plan in situations when the patient is visible and entry is deemed safe through:

1. air monitoring; and
2. determination of the senior firefighter.

5.2 NDFS firefighters:

1. have limited capacity to respond to HAZMAT emergencies as they do not have the equipment, training, or personnel to resolve most HAZMAT incidents fully or to rescue those seriously affected;
2. must be turned over all HAZMAT incidents to the appropriate authority to manage effectively;
3. are trained to provide only initial line-of-sight rescue services for personnel involved in HAZMAT incidents at the HAZMAT operator level, as well as minor required actions to resolve uncomplicated incidents in accordance with FMD 2011, Hazardous Material Incident Rescue Response;
4. may also be trained to respond to additional hazards that are identified through base or wing Emergency Response Plans; and
5. are not to respond to HAZMAT incidents if the standards of FMD 2011 and NFPA 470 cannot be satisfied.

5.3 Incidents requiring further capabilities than those at paragraph 5.2 must be arranged through alternative means, either a mutual aid agreement with an external fire department, a Service Level Agreement with another governmental entity, or a contract with a commercial enterprise.

CBRN Incidents

5.4 A CBRN incident is a HAZMAT incident on DND property that is primarily the result of an intentional act. If the incident has been deemed a CBRN incident and if an NDFS firefighter is the incident scene commander, they must transfer command to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for CBRN incidents as per the emergency response plan for the base or wing. The AHJ in turn must take the lead as outlined in the National Defence Security Orders and Directives. See the Standing Operations Order for Domestic Operations–CONPLAN RUBICON for further direction.

5.5 The AHJ for CRBN incidents:

1. may require that NDFS firefighters be placed under their temporary control to utilize them in their response to the incident; and
2. must be aware of the NDFS firefighter limitations for HAZMAT response and their primary requirement to provide fire services.

6. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

6.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

6.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees, CAF members, and potentially members of the general population, as individuals. Suspected non-compliance may be investigated. Managers and military supervisors must take or direct appropriate corrective measures if non-compliance with this DAOD has consequences for the DND or the CAF. The decision of a level one advisor (L1) or other senior officials to take action or to intervene in a case of non-compliance, other than in respect of a decision under the Code of Service Discipline regarding a CAF member, will depend on the degree of risk based on the impact and likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from the non-compliance and other circumstances of the case.

6.3 The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from non-compliance should be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance and other relevant circumstances. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

1. the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;
2. the entering of observations in individual performance evaluations;
3. increased reporting and performance monitoring;
4. the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a DND employee or CAF member;
5. the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;
6. the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions;
7. other administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee;
8. other administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member; and
9. the imposition of liability on the part of His Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

7. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

7.1 The following table identifies the primary responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

8. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 1000-8, Framework for Safety and Security Management
• DAOD 4007-0, Fire Protection Services

Other References

• DAOD 4007-1, Fire or Incident Reporting and Investigating
• A-GG-040-001/AG-001, DND General Safety Program
• Standing Operations Order for Domestic Operations – CONPLAN RUBICON, Canadian Joint Operations Command
• FMD 2011, Hazardous Material Incident Rescue Response
• National Defence Security Orders and Directives
• NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders (available in English only)