Reference no: EM131454546

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Emergency Responders encounter risk on a daily basis.  This can range from a domestic dispute to a terrorist incident.  During a response to a terror incident, Emergency responders may face a myriad of risks.  These can range from single or "lone wolf" attackers, multiple attackers, hazardous material, explosives, etc. The hazard may be WMD (including conventional explosives, secondary devices, and combined hazards) or other means of attack (including low-tech devices and delivery, attacks on infrastructure, and cyber terrorism)"[1].  The type of attack and method of delivery are only limited by the imagination of the terrorists themselves.  Attacks can happen in residential areas, shopping centers, industrial zones, or even on the open road. 

Some of the potential threats can be can be found on our common roadways and railways.  Chemicals, biological agents, and even explosive material can be in the truck, van , or railcar next to you at any given point.  These are susceptible to attack or can be used in an attack, depending on the mission and the mindset of the attacker.  A van, for example can be carrying explosive material.  If detonated, it can kill the occupants of the van and possible hurt or kill numerous others depending on their proximity to the van at time of detonation.  However, an attacker bent on leaving a bigger message can drive the same van and explosive material into a building (IE a school, office building, or shopping center and potentially kill numerous people while also doing a lot more collateral damage than a "simple" exploding van.  The differences in these types of threats were demonstrated in the 9/11 attacks.  Two of the jets hit the twin towers in New York, killing almost 3,000 people that day. A third jet hit the Pentagon, killing fewer people, and the fourth jet was crashed into an open field, killing only the occupants on board.  It was some time before authorities put together the fact that these were all part of the same terrorist plot.

The Hazardous Material Identification System can help first responders as they respond to an event.  The NFPA 704 system and the DOT's Identification System were both designed to help responders deal with chemical materials safely.   "The DOT systems can warn first responders of the worst potential hazards posed by these materials being shipped on our Nation's highways, railway, waterways, and by air. The nine hazard classes (several with divisions) are designed to break down more specifically the hazards posed by these materials in their various hazard classes."[2]  Responders can use placards on involved vehicles to identify what is potentially being transported in the vehicles at the time of the incident.  If the materials are deemed to be hazardous, then the responders can work to safely deal with the incident (IE: maintaining distance from poisonous gas or explosive material, or by using the proper chemicals or other supplies to make the hazardous material inert or by gathering and deploying the proper materials to safely clean up or dispose of the threat).  The best thing that Hazardous Material Identification Systems can do is help Emergency Responders identify the substances they may be dealing with prior to entering the vicinity of these substances.