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
Tag: Tools for First Responders
What Is Your Unidentified Hazardous Materials Response Strategy?
When a material is unknown, delaying action can increase exposure risk, allow contamination to spread, and endanger both responders and the public. An effective emergency response plan must account for this reality and prioritize immediate hazard reduction alongside identification efforts.
FAST-ACT December Event Highlights: Strengthening Chemical Response Readiness Across Agencies
This month, FAST-ACT continued advancing chemical preparedness through demonstrations and follow-up engagements with emergency response and military units.
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.
When Seconds Matter: Lessons in Chemical Incident Preparedness from the Tennessee Explosion
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has launched an investigation into the October 10, 2025 explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in McEwen, Tennessee, where 24,000–28,000 pounds of explosive material detonated, killing 16 workers and damaging the industrial chemical facility. Early findings suggest the blast began during heating operations and triggered secondary detonations in nearby storage areas. The incident underscores the ongoing need for robust chemical safety measures, emergency planning, and readiness for large-scale chemical incidents.
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.
Securing 2026 Mega-Event Dry Decontamination Procedures: Why Chemical Decontamination Must Be Part of the Playbook
This blog will explain the scale and stakes of these events, highlight why chemical decontamination and decontamination methods are essential to safety, and reaffirm how FAST-ACT’s solutions merge with personal protective equipment (PPE) and multiagency workflow to deliver readiness, efficiency, and confidence.
Hospital Dry Decontamination: A Faster, More Efficient Approach to Emergency Response
During a mass casualty incident involving chemical agents or hazardous materials, every second counts. Hospitals must act quickly to protect patients, staff, and infrastructure while maintaining operations within the hospital environment. Traditional wet decontamination systems, which rely on large volumes of water and extended setup, can slow down an emergency response when speed is critical. … Continue reading Hospital Dry Decontamination: A Faster, More Efficient Approach to Emergency Response
The Shift Toward Dry Decontamination: Funding, Adoption, and the Future of CBRN Preparedness
In this blog, we’ll examine why dry decontamination is gaining momentum, highlight Europe’s leadership and funding efforts, and explore how global organizations—including FAST-ACT—are adopting these solutions to strengthen preparedness for CBRN threats. standard.
Defending Against the Unknown: Why the FAST-ACT DEFEND Kit is Critical for First Responders
The rise of fentanyl and other illicit drugs has amplified these risks. For those on the front lines, having a reliable, field-ready solution for both detection and decontamination is no longer optional—it’s essential.
