From opening ceremonies to packed stadiums and global audiences, major public events like the Olympic Games and the 2026 FIFA World Cup present extraordinary opportunities—and unique safety challenges. One of those challenges is ensuring hazmat safety at large events, particularly in crowded environments, where hazardous materials incidents, infrastructure failures, or intentional threats could pose serious risks.
Tag: first responder safety
Hospital Decontamination Planning: 4 Key Factors Every Facility Should Consider
Hospitals preparing for chemical incidents face a difficult and fast-moving reality: patients may arrive without warning, exposure details may be unclear, and staff must rapidly balance patient care with workplace safety. This makes hospital decontamination planning a critical part of disaster response for any emergency department, especially during events involving hazardous materials or chemical contaminants.
FAST-ACT February Highlights: Advancing Dry Decontamination Readiness Through Training and Global Engagement
February was a strong month for FAST-ACT as our team continued supporting responder preparedness through hands-on demonstrations and international engagement.
Decontamination in High-Risk Environments: Operational Realities Across Critical Sectors
Across FAST-ACT’s supported environments, the consequences of delayed or ineffective decontamination are significant — ranging from patient and responder exposure to operational shutdowns, equipment damage, and large-scale public safety impacts. Understanding decontamination in high-risk environments helps organizations align response planning, decontamination procedures, and the overall decontamination process with real-world conditions involving chemical hazards and environmental contamination.
Dry Decontamination in Cold Weather: Managing Chemical and Vapor Hazards When Temperatures Drop
Extreme cold weather creates a significant cold weather challenge for hazardous materials response. When chemical spills, chemical releases, or vapor threats occur in cold-weather environments, traditional decontamination methods—especially water-based decontamination—can become ineffective or unsafe.
Dry decontamination in cold weather provides an alternative approach that supports emergency decontamination when freezing risk and ambient conditions limit conventional options.
DOT HazMat Inspection Priorities: What PHMSA’s New Focus Means for Hazardous Materials Transport
This blog summarizes what was shared publicly through HazmatNation and provides operational context based on FAST-ACT’s experience supporting emergency preparedness and response across transportation, industrial, and healthcare environments.
Fentanyl Decontamination and Responder Safety: Why Federal Designation Matters for First Responders
In December 2025, the White House issued an executive order designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). This designation reflects a growing federal acknowledgment that fentanyl is not only a driver of the opioid crisis, but also a serious hazardous materials threat to first responders, including law enforcement, fire,… Continue reading Fentanyl Decontamination and Responder Safety: Why Federal Designation Matters for First Responders
National Environmental Awareness Month: Strengthening Environmental Chemical Hazard Response Across Industrial Operations
This blog will cover how key industries—including mining, oil and gas, environmental remediation, and battery manufacturing—manage chemical hazards and strengthen their emergency response capabilities for National Environmental Awareness Month.
FAST-ACT November Event Highlights: Advancing CBRN Readiness Across the Nation
This November, the FAST-ACT team continued its commitment to advancing chemical preparedness and CBRN defense through nationwide engagement and collaboration. From Charleston to Los Angeles and Fort Campbell, FAST-ACT and its partners showcased how dry decontamination technology enhances operational readiness and response efficiency across military, emergency, and defense sectors.
Why Combined Wet and Dry Decontamination Is the New Gold Standard for Hospital Emergency Preparedness
Across Level 1 trauma centers in the U.S., Sweden, Canada, and Singapore, teams now deploy combined decontamination methods—a hybrid model proven to improve outcomes, optimize speed, and reduce risks from hazardous chemicals. This approach aligns with hospital emergency preparedness standards that prioritize rapid, safe, and patient-centered decontamination workflows.
