Individual decontaminating disaster victims must receive HAZWOPER training at the first responder operations level.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment are classified asFirst Responder Operations (FRO) Level. For these individuals, including those tasked with decontaminating disaster victims, OSHA mandates a minimum of8 hoursof initial training or sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency.

The First Responder Operations level is distinct from the Awareness level (which has no hourly minimum) and the Technician level (which requires 24 hours). FRO-level responders are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their primary functions include containing the release from a safe distance, keeping it from spreading, and preventing exposures. This includes the setup and operation of decontamination corridors. The training must cover the implementation of the employer's emergency response plan, knowledge of basic hazard and risk assessment techniques, and the ability to select and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to the first responder operations level.

Furthermore, according to theIBFCSM CEDPguidelines, maintaining safety during the decontamination process is paramount to prevent secondary contamination of medical facilities and personnel. This 8-hour training ensures that responders understand the physical and health hazards associated with various chemical classes and the technical procedures for "gross decontamination" versus "technical decontamination." Once the initial 8-hour requirement is met, OSHA also requires annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain that level of competency. Failure to provide this minimum level of training for personnel involved in victim decontamination is a significant regulatory violation and poses a direct threat to the safety of the emergency response team.