The Role of PID Gas Sensors in First Response

Introduction
When a hazardous materials response team, or first response team, arrives at the scene of an accident, there are many unknowns regarding its condition and first responders need to approach each event carefully.

Photoionization detection sensors (PIDs) allow first responders to know the dangerous conditions of an area. At the scene of an accident, PID sensors can monitor the ambient air for parts per million (ppm) concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to evaluate the danger.

Once the first responders have established the proper personal protection equipment (PPE), PID sensors can be utilized to determine if leaking materials in the atmosphere are toxic or benign.

Using this information provided by the PID sensor, first responders can determine a safe distance from the scene, and the potential leaking gases, to establish a proper control perimeter to keep bystanders and personnel safe in the most challenging of circumstances.

During product containment, decontamination and remediation, PID sensors can quickly monitor, acquire and log measurements to provide vital information on clean-up progress and for later post-incident analysis–allowing first responders to accurately respond as necessary.

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