The International Society of First Responders is a trade association and professional resource center dedicated to the issues of training, education, best practices, and shared experiences facing First Responders concerning Homeland Security.

The ISOFR consolidates and integrates best practice responses to WMD events among all First Responders that they may collectively become more efficient and save more lives during a crisis.

Regional Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Teams consist of individuals, who on a full-time, part-time, or volunteer basis, identify, characterize, provide risk assessment, and mitigate/control the release of a hazardous substance or potentially hazardous substance, through a regional response.

• Technicians
• Specialists
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
• Environmental Quality Control
• Private Companies & Contractors Supporting Hazardous Materials Activities

In today's world, Regional Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Teams face a greater threat of terrorism than ever before. For this reason, it is necessary for first responders to obtain the training and experience needed to fulfill their mission of protecting the environment and most importantly, saving lives.

DECONTAMINATION TEAMS: Decontamination teams consist of individuals with responsibility for initiating and conducting decontamination operations necessary to maintain the health of contaminated individuals as well as the safety of non-contaminated individuals and physical facilities.

DECONTAMINATION: Decontamination includes the capabilities for mobile, easy to operate, decontamination systems and decontaminants for decontaminating victims and first responders of both biological and chemical agents.

DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS: Detection and Measurement of Radiological Hazards includes technologies for point and long-range detection of radiological hazards.

Detection, Identification, and Measurement of Chemical Agents: Detection, Identification and Measurement of Chemical Agents includes equipment and technologies for point and long-range detection of chemical agents including (but not limited to) nerve agents: GA, GB, GD, GF, and CX; vesicants: HD, H, and L, and CX; cyanide: AC and CK; pulmonary agent: GB; riot control agents: CS and CN; and industrial chemicals.

Detection, Identification, and Measurement of Biological Agents: Detection, Identification and Measurement of Biological Agents include the capability for real-time detection with low false alarm rates, identification to the "strain" and measurement. Biological Agents include (but are not limited to) Bacteria: Anthrax, Cholera, Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever; Viruses: Smallpox, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis and Viral Hemorrhagic; and Biological Toxins: Botulinum, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B, Ricin and T-2 Mycotoxins.

By definition, a WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION is referred to as follows:

Title 18 U.S.C. 2332a. Defines a weapon of mass destruction as 1) any explosive, incendiary, poison gas, bomb, grenade, or rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, a missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, or a mine or device similar to the above; 2) poison gas; 3) any weapon involving a disease organism; 4) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.

TERRORISM, by definition, is referred to as follows:

A violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States of any segment, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives (US Department of Justice).


Performance-Level:
This performance level will be a single tier of training guidelines for hazardous materials (HazMat) emergency responders. These guidelines at the performance level target those emergency responders who will be responding to the scene of a hazardous materials event or potential weapons of mass destruction (WMD) event. These HazMat responders will conduct on-scene operations within the hot and warm zones at the scene of a potential WMD or hazardous materials event. These personnel may also work in the cold zone as needed. These HazMat responders will likely be involved in controlling and mitigating hazards found on the scene and in bringing the incident to a successful conclusion under the direction of an operations officer and the on-scene incident commander (IC).

Performance-Level (Technical Level) Guidelines for Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Responders:

• Have successfully completed training at the Awareness Level and Performance Level A for events involving hazardous materials, WMD, and other specialized training.
• Know the Incident Command System and be able to follow Unified Command procedures for integration and implementation of each system. Know how the systems integrate and support the incident. Be familiar with the overall operation of the two command systems and be able to assist in implementation of Unified Command if needed.
• Know and follow self-protection measures and rescue and evacuation procedures for WMD events.
• Know and follow procedures for working at the scene of a potential WMD event.

Planning & Management-Level:
This addresses training requirements for hazardous materials (HazMat) team managers who will be part of the leadership and help manage the emergency response team likely to respond to an event involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). These personnel will be involved in planning and managing the on-site scene involving the hot and warm zones. They will help set up the on-scene command post. HazMat team managers are expected to supervise staff who will attempt to mitigate and control the hazardous agents and materials. They are expected to use all available resources to bring the event to a successful conclusion. Generally, HazMat team managers should take all actions from within the warm or cold zones. It is important that HazMat team managers be integrated into the overall command structure set up for managing and supervising the resources and assets deployed to control and conclude a WMD emergency event.

Planning and Mgt-Level Guidelines for Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team Members:

• Have successfully completed training in Awareness, Performance, and Management levels for events involving hazardous materials and WMD agents.
• Know the procedures of the Incident Command System (ICS) and Unified Command (UC) and the steps required to implement each system.
• Understand how the systems are implemented and integrated and know what information the on-scene incident commander will need from the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) team manager.
• Be familiar with the full range of incident command functions and be able to fulfill any role pertaining to Hazardous Materials (HazMat) team operations.
• Know and follow protocols and procedures for securing, mitigating, and removing hazardous materials or potential WMD agents.
• Know and follow self-protection and protective measures for emergency responders who are at the scene of WMD and hazardous materials events.
• Be aware of the special hazards WMD agents and hazardous materials present to humans.
• Know how to develop an Incident Action Plan. With the on-scene incident commander (IC), coordinate assets available for controlling WMD and hazardous materials events.
• Know and follow procedures for protecting a potential crime scene. Understand the roles and jurisdiction of Federal agencies in a WMD event.
• Know and follow department protocols for medical monitoring of response personnel involved with or working onsite at WMD and hazardous materials events, including response team members involved with or working within the hot and warm control zones or personnel involved in on-site decontamination.