The U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice developed a set of five guides and a searchable database on CD-ROM to assist emergency first responders in the evaluation and selection of various types of chemical and biological equipment that detects, protects, and offers communication. Within the searchable database, specific information is provided on each piece of equipment: general, operational parameters, and physical parameters. The number of pieces of equipment within 6 categories include: 74 apparel items, 180 garment items, 69 respiratory items, 148 detection items, 72 decontamination items, and 181 communication items. The guides include: (1) Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders, Volume I, Volume IIa (Respiratory Protection), Volume IIb (Percutaneous Protection-Garments), and Volume IIc (Percutaneous Protection-Apparel); (2) Guide for the Selection of Chemical and Biological Decontamination Equipment for Emergency First Responders, Volume I and II; (3) Guide for the Selection of Communication Equipment for Emergency First Responders, Volume I and II; (4) Guide for the Selection of Chemical Agent and Toxic Material Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders, Volume I and II; and (5) An Introduction to Biological Agent Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders.