470: Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders

Learn the competencies and professional qualifications for hazardous materials and WMD responders, as well as for emergency medical services personnel responding to incidents, with NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders.

NFPA 470, which serves to consolidate information on the professional qualifications of emergency responders, is made up of three former standards:

• NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
• NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
• NFPA 1072, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications

The 2022 edition of NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders, is the first edition of the document.

The updates made, in addition to the consolidation of the three previous standards, include the following:

• Terminology was updated to align with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and NFPA 3000™, Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program.
• Two new chapters were added (Chapters 17 and 19) to align the competencies and professional qualifications for hazardous materials officers and hazardous materials safety officers.
• Chapter 33 was updated to add professional qualifications language for hazardous materials technicians specializing in radiological hazards at hazardous materials/WMD incidents.
• References were added in Annex A to NFPA 1891, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Hazardous Materials, CBRN, and Emergency Medical Operations Clothing and Equipment, to provide additional information on the selection, care, and maintenance of chemical protective clothing.
• Annex D, Competencies for Operations Level Responders Assigned Radiological Agent-Specific Tasks, of the 2018 edition of NFPA 472 was converted to mandatory text and moved to Section 8.10, Mission-Specific Competencies: Radiological Hazard-Specific Tasks.

Utilize these sequential requirements and qualifications to ensure first responders to hazardous materials and WMD incidents know exactly what their responsibilities are.

NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders, was consolidated from previous documents to increase usability, reduce errors and conflicts, and produce a higher quality standard. For more information on the NFPA Emergency Response and Responder Safety (ERRS) consolidation project, visit nfpa.org/errs.

Stay up to date on the newest professional qualifications and competencies for emergency responders at hazardous materials or WMD incidents by placing your order for NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders, today.