DEFINITIONS In order to communicate on common ground, we need to establish, what certain phrases, terms, and acronyms, mean. Here are the most commonly used terms and acronyms defined.

Decontamination:

The removal of hazardous substances from employees and their equipment to the extent necessary to preclude the occurrence of foreseeable adverse health effects.

Event:

"An occurrence, especially one that is out of the routine."

First Responder at the Awareness Level (First Responder):

"An individual who can respond to the scene of a hazardous materials release or the potential release and can initiate notification of authorities and take no further actions." It is common to refer to this individual as "FRAs."

First Responder at the Operations Level:

"An individual who can respond to the scene of a hazardous materials release, or the potential release of a hazardous substance, as part of the initial response to a site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of a release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release." These individuals are known as "FRO's."

Material:

"A substance (gas, liquid, or solid) capable of creating harm to people, property, and the environment"

DOT Definition:

A hazardous material is one that poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of operating or emergency personelle, the public, and/or the environment if it is not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, processing, packaging, use, disposal, or transportation."

HAZWOPER:

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

IDHA:

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health. An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substances that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous situation.

Incident Commander/Scene Manager:

The overall commander of the hazardous materials incident scene. The person has the responsibility for everything that happens at the scene and is charged with mitigating the occurrence as soon as possible.

Hazardous Materials Technician Level:

These individuals have more expertise in the field of hazardous materials. Instead of operating in a "defensive" mode. They actually are trained to stop the leak or contain the spill. They frequently will carry out the action plan developed by the Incident Commander and mitigate the situation.

Hazardous Material Specialist:

These personnel have certain expertise in specific hazardous materials. For example, they may be radiological assistance team members, chlorine specialists, or expertise and can handle specific hazardous materials.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Equipment used to provide a barrier to isolate a person from the chemical, physical, or biological hazards that may be encountered at an incident involving hazardous materials.

Toxicology:

The study of poisons.