scope:

This standard identifies the levels of competence required of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who respond to incidents involving hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It specifically covers the requirements for basic life support and advanced life support personnel in the pre-hospital setting.

This standard is based on the premise that all EMS responders are trained to meet at least the core competencies of the operations level responders as defined in Chapter 5 of NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to specify minimum requirements of competence and to enhance the safety and protection of response personnel and all components of the emergency medical services system. It is not the intent of this standard to restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these minimum requirements.