Then, as the chemical is releasing, they must devise a strategy that saves the greatest number of lives. In the second example, the first-arriving companies must recognize there is criminal intent and watch for the perpetrators, booby traps and secondary devices. In the first example, a hazmat team and the railroad can work together to come up with an offensive strategy to stop the leak. However, a chlorine railcar that is sabotaged and used as a WMD will require the aforementioned resources in addition to several government organizations, like the FBI. For example, a chlorine railcar with an accidental release can be mitigated by the railroad, hazmat team, local first responders and environmental contractors. Hazardous materials releases and incidents involving WMDs require many of the same resources, but the strategies, tactics and techniques vary. NFPA 472/NFPA 470 defines a WMD as: “(1) Any destructive device, such as any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one quarter once (7 grams), mine, or device similar to the preceding description (2) any weapon involving toxic or poisonous chemicals (3) any weapon involving a disease organism or (4) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.” A WMD, on the other hand, is a substance that can cause harm to many and has criminal intent associated with its release.
Defining hazardous materialsĪccording to NFPA 472: Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents (soon to be replaced by NFPA 470), there are multiple definitions for hazardous materials: Here we’ll cover the various roles and responsibilities of first responders who are called to hazmat or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents as well as their training levels. Hazmat response: Initial location and identification of hazard facilities