Response to Hazardous Materials incidents has changed over the years. If one was a First Responder 20-30 years ago, one had to be concerned about transportation accidents involving hazardous cargoes, fires and hazardous materials and wastes at fixed sites. While many of us were trained in the basics of Weapons of Mass Destruction, it was generally theory and few expected to have to actually respond to an incident involving these materials. Responses to Clandestine Laboratories were not as common and terrorism was something ...
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Response to Hazardous Materials incidents has changed over the years. If one was a First Responder 20-30 years ago, one had to be concerned about transportation accidents involving hazardous cargoes, fires and hazardous materials and wastes at fixed sites. While many of us were trained in the basics of Weapons of Mass Destruction, it was generally theory and few expected to have to actually respond to an incident involving these materials. Responses to Clandestine Laboratories were not as common and terrorism was something that happened elsewhere and not in the United States. Today the world is a very different place: -The drug epidemic especially for methamphetamine has virtually overwhelmed the Law Enforcement and Response Community. First Responders, whether Law, Fire or EMS personnel frequently encounter "Meth Labs" even in "nice neighborhoods" or in rural settings. "Harder" drugs and synthetic opioid labs are being run by gangs in many states and television shows and popular music about drug makers, dealers and "kingpins" are common.-Clandestine laboratories related to "terrorist" activities are now common throughout the world and there are numerous examples of "homemade" toxins and explosives being made here in the United States. It is possible to buy books discussing the "kitchen counter" preparation of explosives, toxic agents and chemical warfare agents openly on the internet. Anyone with an internet account can access step-by-step instructions and watch videos showing exactly how to construct bombs, etc. to attack unsuspecting populations. Organizations such as al Qaeda or the "Islamic State" are actively pushing to give this type information to the widest possible audience.-Although there have been relatively few successful chemical or biological attacks in the US, the use of chemicals in association with improvised explosive devices is common elsewhere in the world and there have been a number of relatively unsuccessful attempts here ranging from improvised explosive devices found attached to chemical canisters to explosive devices planted on trucks and railway cars. Few people in the Emergency Planning Community believe that this unfortunate trend will not strike here soon.This book is intended to prepare the Emergency Response Community to respond safely to these new threats. We all hope that the next "call" won't be to respond to one of the problems discussed in this book. Preparing to make that Response is what this book is about.
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