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Hazardous Materials: Incident Response Training for Law Enforcement

NCJ Number
132238
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 15,16,18
Author(s)
D F Gates; B J Pearson
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Los Angeles Police Department has developed a hazardous materials incident response training course for law enforcement personnel that is consistent with Federal and State guidelines. The training strives to create an awareness of the potential threat presented by hazardous materials, provide an understanding of the tactics and source of information available to minimize the risk of injury to personnel and the public, create an awareness of the agencies responsible for investigating hazardous material incidents and environmental crimes, and ensure that appropriate hazardous materials exposure records are maintained.
Abstract
Police officers receive instruction on their role as first responders at hazardous materials incidents, communications systems and personal safety precautions, evacuation and isolation procedures, and Incident Command/On-Scene Manager systems. Operational level instruction focuses on actions and resources to mitigate an incident and achieve containment, personal protective equipment, evacuation and isolation considerations unique to hazardous materials incidents, law enforcement command operations, interagency liaison, decontamination procedures, and legal liability issues. The hazardous materials incident commander/on-scene manager receives specialized training in hazard identification, decontamination procedures and clean-up requirements, available source of funding for clean-up efforts, and documentation and notification requirements. Environmental crime investigators must have an extensive knowledge of the regulatory framework controlling hazardous materials and waste as well as an understanding of industrial practices and investigative procedures.