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Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (H²S)

Hydrogen sulfide (also known as H²S, sewer gas, swamp gas, stink damp, and sour damp) is a colorless gas known for its pungent "rotten egg" odor at low concentrations. It is extremely flammable and highly toxic. Oil and gas production across the western United States has increased dramatically and can have an impact on fire suppression operations and expose fire personnel to health hazards. Naturally occurring coal seams can produce potentially toxic gases as well.
Hydrogen sulfide is used or produced in a number of industries, such as:

  • Oil and gas refining
  • Mining
  • Tanning
  • Pulp and paper processing
  • Rayon manufacturing

Hydrogen sulfide also occurs naturally in sewers, manure pits, well water, oil and gas wells, and volcanoes.
At higher concentrations, H²S can result in respiratory paralysis, asphyxia, seizures, and death. Characteristics of a significant exposure are rapid knock down, respiratory depression, tremors, blurred vision, cyanosis, seizures, and elevated heart rate. H²S vapor can also travel considerable distances to a source of ignition and flash back explosively, giving off corrosive, and poisonous oxides of sulfur upon combustion.

To avoid exposure to H²S, here are some DO’s and DON’Ts concerning fire operations near oil and gas operations:

Do's:

  • If you are responding to a known oil and gas pad or coal seam areas, DO contact local petroleum engineer or resource advisor.
  • If your unit has known oil and gas operations or coal seams, DO ensure that every firefighter is provided with training on H²S.
  • If you happen upon a remote oil and gas pad area, DO cordon off the area with flagging, deny entry, and modify suppression tactics to avoid the area.
  • DO avoid low-lying drainages, ravines, and gullies near oil and gas pads and coal seams as they tend to accumulate higher air concentrations of potentially toxic gases, especially during early morning hours when air has the tendency to sink.
  • If you suspect that someone has been exposed to H²S, DO seek medical care immediately at the nearest hospital.

​Don'ts:

  • DON’T locate fire camps, Incident Command Posts (ICP), or helispots on, or near oil and gas pads.
  • DON’T depend on sense of smell for warning – H²S causes rapid deterioration of sense of smell.
  • DON’T attempt fire suppression on or near oil and gas pads. Local petroleum engineers or resource advisors may recommend safe working distances, and firefighters may also be given H²S monitors when working near oil and gas pad operations and/or coal seams.
  • DON’T wait to seek medical attention if H²S exposure is suspected.

 

Category
Firefighter Health First Aid
References
Maverick Lessons Learned Review
NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide, PMS 461
Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day