Awareness Level

• The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires different levels of training for hazardous materials responders. The first is the awareness level. People trained in this capacity discover or witness the release of the hazardous substance, and notify the appropriate authorities to the nature of the hazard but take no further action. Specific duties of a first responder at the awareness level involve identifying the potential hazard and understanding the emergency outcomes such a hazard represents.
  
  

Operations Level

• Hazardous materials responders who are at the awareness level can receive additional training to reach the operational level. These first responders respond to the release of the hazard to protect nearby people and property. They work to contain the release at a safe distance and prevent it from spreading without addressing the issues in stopping the initial release. A first responder with operations training has basic risk assessment knowledge and know-how. They also begin basic decontamination procedures and perform basic confinement operations.
  
  

Hazardous Material Technician Level

• First responders with training at the hazardous material technician level have duties that include classifying and verifying known and unknown materials associated with the hazardous substance using field survey equipment. A hazardous material technician approaches to patch or stop the release using the specialized equipment. These technicians perform advanced contaminant control.
  
  

Hazardous Material Specialist Level

• First responders with hazardous material specialist training provide support to hazardous materials technicians. The specialist employs a direct approach by using advanced knowledge of the substances they must try to contain. Various duties a hazardous material specialist may perform include beginning decontamination procedures, while developing a site safety and control plan. The specialist also must understand the toxicological and radiological behavior of the chemical.