Analyze | Disaster STS Network

pece_annotation_1478472678

joerene.aviles

Annotation of

FIRST RESPONDERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DUE TO MASS DECONTAMINATION RUNOFF

In response to

How does the policy address matters of public health?

The policy addresses the immediate dangers to public health (weapons of mass destruction/ hazmat incidents) and the environmental hazards that may come from first responders attempting to decontaminate victims.

pece_annotation_1478472538

joerene.aviles

Annotation of

FIRST RESPONDERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DUE TO MASS DECONTAMINATION RUNOFF

In response to

Describe the history of the policy. Was it created in response to or to support existing policy or legislation?

The policy was created in in 1999 after concerns brought up by the Team Leader of the Chemical Weapons Improved Response Team (CWIRT), U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command over whether first responders to WMD (weapons of mass destruction) incidents were liable for pollution and other environmental consequences of their decontamination/ life-saving efforts.

pece_annotation_1478471930

joerene.aviles

Annotation of

FIRST RESPONDERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DUE TO MASS DECONTAMINATION RUNOFF

In response to

Who does the policy apply to? (i.e. residents of California, globally, physicians)

The policy applies to U.S. state and local first responders to incidents.

pece_annotation_1478471874

joerene.aviles

Annotation of

FIRST RESPONDERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DUE TO MASS DECONTAMINATION RUNOFF

In response to

Who drafted this policy?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

pece_annotation_1478471849

joerene.aviles

Annotation of

FIRST RESPONDERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DUE TO MASS DECONTAMINATION RUNOFF

In response to

What is the policy and what does it aim to achieve?

The policy is to extend Good Samaritan laws to first responders so that they would not be liable for "spreading contamination while attempting to save lives."