Responding to the urgent need for guidance in selection of equipment used by first responders to incidents involving chemical, biological, and toxic industrial materials, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has released five new guides. Some of the guides are complete and others are in draft form subject to change. All of the documents are available through the web started at URL www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/new.htm

The information assembled in the guides on specific equipment and technologies was obtained through literature searches and surveys.

NIJ is the focal point for providing support to State and local law enforcement agencies in the development of counter terrorism technology and standards, including technology needs for chemical and biological defense. This work was part of the research program of the Office of Law Enforcement Standards at NIST.

For further information contact: Dr. Al Fatah, 301-975-2753 or aafatah@nist.gov .

Guide for the Selection of Chemical Agent and Toxic Industrial Material Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 100-00

An Introduction to Biological Agent Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 101-00

Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 102-00

Guide for the Selection of Chemical and Biological Decontamination Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 103-00

Guide for the Selection of Communication Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 104-00

Chief Peter J. Ganci, Fire Deparment  - City of New York (FDNY), lost his life commanding the response to the terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center. We remember him in a special way as a man who helped researchers define the needs of the fire service. The last NIST- USFA fire service needs workshop was held in San Antonio, Texas. Findings of this workshop are used by NIST, USFA and others to set priorities for research funding to address the identified needs.

Chief Ganci provided his insights in the multi-day workshops to help update and sharpen the needs assessment. We were honored to have an officer of Chief Ganci’s stature and responsibility assist in the effort. Chief Ganci wanted the best for his department members, so he encouraged their involvement in the research process to keep the equipment and tactics they use on the leading edge. (See FIRE.GOV, Spring, 2001.)

At NIST and USFA we continue to work hard to address the priorities that he helped define.

PDF file of the report, "Fire Service Needs Workshop Proceedings, San Antonio, Texas, October 13-15, 1999." is available here.

Dave Evans - Editor

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David Evans
Email: editor@fire.gov
Phone: 301-975-6897
Fax: 301-975-4052

Bob McCarthy
Email: Bob.McCarthy@fema.gov
Phone: 301-447-1130
Fax: 301-447-1093