What is the level of training for the person who responds to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release?

The individual who responds to releases or potential releases with the objective of stopping the release is considered a Hazardous Materials Technician. This level of training equips responders with the necessary skills and knowledge to take appropriate action, which includes assessing the situation, planning a response, and directly controlling hazardous materials incidents.

Hazardous Materials Technicians are trained to utilize specialized equipment, work in a proactive manner, and engage in implementing confinement and containment efforts. Their role extends beyond awareness or basic operations, as they are actively involved in implementing procedures to neutralize or stop the release of hazardous substances.

In contrast, the other training levels either focus on awareness or provide very basic emergency response capabilities without the full technical skills required to handle the complexities involved in managing hazardous materials releases. The First Responder Awareness Level is aimed at recognizing a problem and notifying authorities, while the First Responder Operations Level prepares individuals to manage the situation from a limited perspective, often focusing on protective measures rather than direct intervention. Hazardous Materials Specialists, while knowledgeable about hazardous substances, typically do not engage in direct response actions like stopping a release but rather provide assistance in planning and execution at a higher level of management.