The following information was released by the National Fire Protection Association:

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has adopted two additional NFPA standards for first responders: NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents; and NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.

As the dedicated men and women of the fire service and other emergency responders are faced with new challenges in dangerous situations, often involving unexpected hazards, it is vital that they are well prepared to deal with them, said James M. Shannon, NFPA's president. DHS's recent adoptions support responders and improve their safety by establishing important guidelines.

These two standards set minimum requirements for personnel responding to incidents involving hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction. NFPA 472 sets minimum competency levels for personnel responding to such incidents, and NFPA 473 covers the requirements for basic life support and advanced life support personnel in the pre-hospital setting.

DHS has previously adopted 25 other NFPA standards. They are:

NFPA 1000, Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications Accreditation and Certification Systems

NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program

NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments

NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs

NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1852, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus

NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus

NFPA 1912, Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing

NFPA 1936, Standard on Powered Rescue Tools

NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents

NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services

NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services

NFPA 1982 Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS)

NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

NFPA 1992, Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents

NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations

NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire

NFPA 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire

All NFPA safety codes and standards are developed through a process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The more than 250 technical committees responsible for developing and updating all 300 codes and standards include approximately 4,000 volunteers, representing enforcing authorities, installers and maintainers, labor, research and testing laboratories, insurers, special experts, consumers and other users.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate serves as the primary research and development arm of the Department, utilizing our nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state, tribal and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland.

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NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.