This is a Liability policy related to First Responders' that aims to enable first responders to aid peoples during the effects of a biological or chemical hazard without delay by allowing for first responders to ignore potential contamination spread in order to prevent loss of life. Once the situation is stabalized the previous protocols become active again in order to protect the environment and community.
it removes liability issues that could be potentially worse for lower income individuals that can interfere with patient care.
It allows for first responders to be able to respond to bio and chem hazards without delay. A simulation they ran of a hazmat response resulted in all patients dying because of a delay in response, and they believe this could happen in a real disaster as well if not for this policy.
This was created to support the existing Good Samaritan Policy. The afformentioned policy would not be applicable during biohazard or chemhazard events due to the policy that involve such events. This could cause a delay in treatment that could potentially lead to the deaths of the affected community. In order to allow for treatment without delay the hazard issues would be 'ignored' by the EPA and the responders not prosecuted. They would also receives support from the EPA and FOSC for protecting themselves from any damages lawsuits coming from the potential contamination from the response.
This policy is a federal policy and applies to all first responders in the United States.
The EPA, who want to prevent loss of life in incidents where contamination containment is delaying treatment.
It allows us to do our job during hazard events without worrying and potentially affecting the lives of patients because of financial liabilities.