Before taking response actions get a general picture of the nature and severity of the incident including location; materials involved and their associated hazards/risks; size, condition and possible behavior of container, etc.

Develop a plan/course of action for preventing/reducing effects of an incident based upon the information initially available or subsequently obtained. To develop a plan identify problems and establish priorities.

Factors to be considered in establishing priorities :

• Materials and their associated hazards/risks

• Need for immediate rescue

• Protection of affected persons

• Responder's safety

• Protection of property and environment

• potential for container failure

• Availability of resources including time

• Weather conditions
  First priority is protecting people

Response Actions

• Work-out options for controlling the situation and their effectiveness

• Decide the most beneficial option (action or no action)

• The actions can be :
  - Extinguishing fire
  - Controlling burning or detonation
  - Cooling containers
  - Removing materials
  - Containment to keep materials in their original container
  - Using  dykes to  confine  spilled  material  to the  smallest possible area

• Removal of persons from the affected area.

• Isolating the materials and hazards to the smallest possible physical area

• Rescue affected or endangered persons without taking any undue risks.

• No first-aid is given in the danger area. The rescued victim should be removed from the danger area as quickly as possible so that both the rescuers and victims are not subjected further to the hazards associated with fire.

• Cool containers: Apply large quantity of water to the container, either on fire (at the point of flame impingement and vapour space) or on nearby container. (Use unmanned monitors where there is a risk to response personnel)

• Stress barriers between the fire and adjoining containers might be used to prevent container failure. They absorbs radiant heat or prevent the container from coming into contact with the flame.

• contain or confine the Hazard : If leaking substance is a flammable liquid, it can be contained by stopping the leak by closing the valve, plugging with extreme precautions.

• Remove all potential ignition sources in the downwind direction first while protecting the responders themselves.   If required obtain additional assistance from the public utility personnel from the electric and gas companies.

• Extinguish Fires
  - Use Proper Extinguishers perperly.
  Water streams for liquids with high flash point - kerosene Foam or DCP - for liquids with low flash point - petrol.
  - Don't mix incompatible agents such as water and foam
  - Don't spread water on water reactive material.   Know them beforehand
  - Remove fuel supply by closing valves, plugging leakes, removing fuel from danger area
  - Remove _:oxygen supply - foam/sand blanketing
  - Allow the substances to burn, ensuring that it does not spread or contaminate atmosphere.

Exposure protection

• Protect personnel, vehicles and other equipment during the incident.

• Use personal protective equipment

To be able effectively respond to fire incident

• Follow chain of command - receive orders for action from a single source

• Follow preplanned responding methods keeping the responder safety in mind.

• Know functioning and use of personal protective equipment

• Have updated information of available support systems

• Know different fire fighting tasks and their safe accomplishments.