First responders are the first workers to arrive at a hazardous materials incident or other major disaster. Traditionally, workers defined as "first responders" include fire fighters, police, and emergency management technicians (EMTs). However, as we have seen in recent massive-scale disasters such as the World Trade Center (WTC) and the Pentagon attacks, other worker populations like heavy equipment operators, telephone technicians, and construction laborers arrive shortly after the first responders. Accordingly, each worker population faces hazards specific to their trades. The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) has been examining the training and preparedness needs of this non-traditional responder force - referred to here as "skilled support personnel."
IAFF Improving Apparatus Response and Roadway Operations(http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/home.html) The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) developed this online course. Emergency responders will be able to apply basic strategies to safeguard their health and safety while responding to and returning from an incident and while operating on roadways.
2004 Emergency Response Guidebook(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4331) (2.8 MB) 2004. 374 pages. A guidebook for first responders
during the initial phase of a dangerous goods/
hazardous materials incident.
A Failure of Initiative(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2485) (6.1 MB) February 2006. 379 pages. This is the final report of the House of Representatives' Select Bipartisan Committee which investigated the preparation for and in response to Hurricane Katrina.
ATSDR Graniteville Derailment Presentation(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2419) (2.7 MB) This PowerPoint presentation produced by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) discusses the Graniteville Derailment.
The Application of HAZWOPER to Worksite Response and Cleanup Activities(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2337) (150 KB) December 2005. 9 pages. This is the final version of a flow chart "tool" to utilize when deciding whether an activity is or would be considered an "emergency response" activity under hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER).
Congressional Research Service Report: Cleanup after Hurricane Katrina, Environmental Considerations(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2368) (165 KB) October 2005. 30 pages. Local, state, and federal responders face numerous cleanup challenges associated with Hurricane Katrina. This report provides an overview of the immediate and intermediate cleanup tasks and the federal role supporting these tasks.
Disaster Site Worker Course Brochure(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=1971) (531 KB) 2005. 2 pages. The theme of this 16-hour awareness course is to enable disaster site workers to recognize that they have a responsibility to make decisions and choices that will positively affect their personal health/safety and that of others at the site. Learners are given the opportunity to practice their new knowledge, skills and attitudes through discussion, planned exercises, demonstrations and presentations. The ability to immediately apply
this new learning to their role as a disaster site worker is enhanced by participating in this interactive, instructor-led course. The intended audiences for this course are disaster site workers who provide skilled support services or site clean-up services in response to a disaster.
Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=350) (266 KB) July 2003. 66 pages. This report from the Independent Task Force on Emergency Responders,
sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations, seeks to raise critical questions regarding levels of emergency preparedness across the United States.
Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=345) (2.2 MB) Date unknown. 67 pages. Sponsored by a public/private parntership with the Federal Emergency Managment Agency (FEMA), this guide provides step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program for organizations of all sizes.
Federal Leadership Needed to Facilitate
Interoperable Communications Between First Responsders(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=1063) (237 KB) September 8, 2004. 24 pages. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that addresses issues of determining the status of
interoperable wireless communications across the nation, the potential roles that federal, state, and local governments can play in improving these
communications, and the need to structure grant programs so that they better support public sector
efforts to improve these communications.
FEMA Hazmat Summit(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=346) (85 KB) May 1999. 28 pages. This Executive Summary highlights the key themes and recommendations identified by participants during the 1999 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazardous Materials Summit, Working Better Together.
FEMA NIMS/ICS Emergency Responder Field Operating Guide (ERFOG)(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4727) (3.8 MB) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a draft of the Emergency Responder Field Operating Guide (ERFOG). The guide is designed to assist emergency response personnel in the use of the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) during incident operations.
Health Consultation: Murphy Oil Spill(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2312) (243 KB) November 2005. 8 pages. This document, written by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, provides information on response activities, ongoing activities, soil and sediment studies, oiled-property visual survey, overall screening evaluation of data, environmental data, health effects of oil exposures, public health conclusions, and recommendations in relation to the Murphy Oil Spill in Louisiana resulting from Hurricane Katrina.
High Alert: Workers Warn of Security Gaps on Nation's Railroads(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2423) (2.6 MB) 22 pages. This report, generated from a survey of rail workers, provides basic, common-sense requirements and more complex procedures to ensure that the employees who work on the nation's railroad and residents who live near them are safe and secure.
How to Use a Respirator: A NYCOSH Factsheet for Katrina and Rita Cleanup Workers(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2447) (2.3 MB) January 2006. 3 pages. This factsheet, provided by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH), presents information useful for responders to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Hurricane Katrina Debris Management Plan(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2257) (167 KB) September 2005. 17 pages. This guidance furnishes local governments with basic information on hurricane debris management within the scope of effective environmental management.
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Debris Management: Lessons Learned from State and Local Governments(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2259) (460 KB) September 2005. 35 pages. This briefing report from the Solid Waste Association of North America responds to a request from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for assistance. It provides a list of resource materials, lessons learned in the management of specific wastes and best management practices in handling various types of debris.
ICTW Infomatrix(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4208) (44 KB) The Interstate Chemical Terrorism Workgroup (ICTW) has produced an updated version of their Infomatrix. The matrix provides links to valuable resources that offer chemical specific data that may be used in the event of an emergency.
Katrina and Rita Cleanup Workers: Mold Factsheet(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2357) (132 KB) November 2005. 2 pages. This document produced by the New York Committe for Occupationa Health and Safety (NYCOSH) document provides important information that workers handling mold-contaminated materials or working around mold-contaminated materials or in
mold-contaminated areas should be aware of.
National Technology Plan for Emergency Response to Catastrophic Terrorism(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=1623) (2.0 MB) April 2004. 304 Pages. This document builds upon the foundation laid by the first Project Responder Interim Report "Emergency Responders Needs, Goals, and Priorities (March 2003)", which presented priorities for technology-enabled improvements in response capability, described in twelve National Terrorism Response Objectives (NTROs).
National Transportation Safety Board Report on Graniteville Train Derailment(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2418) (1.2 MB) Railroad Accident Report
Collision of Norfolk Southern Freight Train 192 With Standing Norfolk Southern Local Train P22 With Subsequent Hazardous Materials Release at
Graniteville, South Carolina
January 6, 2005
NFPA 471(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=352) (791 KB) 1997. 28 pages. This document includes the recommended practices for responding to hazardous materials incidents as created during the Fall 1997 National Fire Protection Association meeting (NFPA).
NFPA 472(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=353) (1.9 MB) 1997. 72 pages. This document lists the standard for professional competence of responders to
hazardous materials incidents as decided during the Fall 1997 National Fire Protection Association meeting.
NFPA 473(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=355) (538 KB) 1997. 22 pages. This document lists the standard for competencies for EMS personnel responding to
hazardous materials incidents as decided during the Fall 1997 National Fire Protection Association meeting.
NIEHS Hurricane Katrina Response Worker Safety and Health Training Overview(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2414) (58 KB) December 2005. 7 pages. This document outlines NIEHS safety and health training resources available and, in some instances being provided for responders and workers performing recovery and cleanup operations in the four-state Gulf Coast region (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines Rev B(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=356) (397 KB) August 2002. 82 pages. This Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) report provides America's response community with a baseline understanding of the training necessary to effectively and safely respond to an act of terrorism involving the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
OSHA Fire Safety Features of Building and Fire Protection Systems(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4207) (1.0 MB) The publication from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will help increase the safety of building occupants and emergency responders by streamlining fire service interaction with building features and fire protection systems. The manual explains how different building features can influence fire service operations and offers considerations for design professionals that can help facilitate these operations.
Protecting Emergency Responders: Volume 4(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2610) (487 KB) April 2006. 113 pages. This recent Research and Development (RAND) report issued proposes guidelines to better protect emergency responders from the chemical, biological and physical hazards that exist following the collapse of large buildings, in an effort to reduce the extent of injuries like those suffered by responders at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Q&A and Inspector Safety & Health Awareness Training(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2335) (1.4 MB) December 2005. 47 slides. The goal of this training curriculum is to provide workers with information to keep them safe in the work zone and to prevent injury and death.
September 11: Monitoring of World Trade Center Health Effects Has Progressed, but Program for Federal Responders Lags Behind(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2544) (397 KB) February 2006. 34 pages. In this report, the GAO was asked to assess the progress of World Trade Center monitoring programs and examined (1) federally funded programs implemented by state and local government agencies or private institutions, (2) federally administered programs to monitor the health of federal workers who responded to the disaster in an official capacity, and (3) lessons learned from World Trade Center (WTC) monitoring programs.
Southeast Louisiana Catastrophic Hurricane Functional Plan, Draft(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2260) (1.3 MB) August 2004. 125 pages. This is a reference document only. It was prepared for FEMA during the Southeast Louisiana Catastrophic Hurricane Exercise July 16-23, 2004. It contains a section on hazaardous material (HAZMAT).
State Strategies for Fully Integrating Public Health into Homeland Security(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2444) (132 KB) November 2005. 13 pages. This report, released by the National Governors' Assocation's Center for Best Practices, calls on states to bring public health agencies up to speed technologically and give public health more attention in homeland security planning.
Waterway Debris General Safety Awareness Training(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2565) (1.9 MB) 2006. 54 slides. This training module provides information on ship breaking hazards, PPE, materials handling, hot work, hazardous materials, and additional safety precautions.
Worker Safety and Health Training Needs in the Gulf Coast Area(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2415) (61 KB) December 2005. 6 pages. This paper aims to define the populations that will be working in the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and outline the safety and health training needs based on the tasks being performed and hazard exposure assessments.
Work Zone Safety(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2336) (2.3 MB) December 2005. 59 slides. The goal of this training curriculum is to provide workers with information to keep them safe in the work zone and to prevent injury and death.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) developed this online course. Emergency responders will be able to apply basic strategies to safeguard their health and safety while responding to and returning from an incident and while operating on roadways.
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