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: Tools for First Responders
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.
Early Hospital Chemical Decontamination: How PRISM and the 15 ’til 50 Framework Help Hospitals Act in the First Minutes
This article explores why early hospital chemical decontamination matters, how these frameworks guide response, and how early dry decontamination tools can support hospital preparedness.
Top 5 Most Common Decontamination Pitfalls Between Hospitals and First Responders
Chemical incidents rarely arrive at hospitals in an orderly sequence. In many hazardous materials incidents, patients self-present before scene control is established, before responder decontamination is complete, and before hospital systems are fully activated. This places hospitals into an immediate operational role that blends clinical medical care, hazardous materials management, and facility protection.
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.
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
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.
