Emergency Preparedness

Join us in moving science to solutions for...

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Photo courtesy of International Association of Firefighters
The NIOSH Research to Practice (r2p) program seeks partners for 

improving workplace safety and health. The r2p program joins NIOSH 

researchers and outside partners throughout the research process—from 

identifying the problem to implementing effective solutions. Do you want 

to make a positive impact for workers? Contact the r2p program to find 

out how, working together, we can make an impact.

nioshr2p@cdc.gov

Photo courtesy of International Association of Firefighters
Partnerships to Protect Emergency Responders

Partnership makes a difference . . . here is one example

   Challenge

Police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians face many hazards 

on the job, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. 

Effective personal protective equipment and strict safety standards are critical to ensure 

the health and safety of emergency responders.

   Approach

Stakeholders from government, manufacturing and emergency response fields joined 

NIOSH to establish new respirator standards for CBRN hazards. They established 

performance requirements and identified concerns with the existing equipment 

development process, such as policy, manufacturing and personnel issues. This input 

allowed researchers to develop practical standards to protect workers from CBRN 

threats. 

   Impact

This group effort resulted in the first CBRN standards for respirators. The U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopted the new standards for all equipment 

purchased by DHS grant funds. The National Fire Protection Association also 

endorsed these standards. Approximately 7% of all on-duty career firefighters had 

CBRN respirators available or on order by December 2004. Additionally, six major 

equipment manufacturers have received approvals, and sixteen retrofit kits have also 

been approved. 

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American Academy of Clinical Toxicology 

American Association of Poison Control Centers 

American Chemistry Council Diisocyanates Panel 

American College of Medical Toxicology 

American Industrial Hygiene Association 

American Medical Response 

American Society of Safety Engineers 

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Center for Business and Public Policy –

Georgetown University 

Commonwealth of PA Bureau of Deep Mine Safety 

Dynamic Systems 

Electric Power Research Institute 

EPA Office of Research and Development 

FEMCO 

Finnish Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 

General Electric Energy and Resource Systems 

General Motors United Auto Workers 

Highmark, Inc. 

Joy Mining Machinery 

Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Center for Health Statistics 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

National Energy Technology Lab (DOE) 

National Institute of Environmental 

Health Sciences (NIEHS)

National Institute of Industrial Health 

National Institute of Mental Health 

National Institute of Occupational 

and Environmental Health 

National Institute on Aging 

NIEHS–National Toxicology Program

National Wooden Pallet and Container Association 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Employment Standards Administration –

Office of Workers Compensation Program

Phoenix Firefighter Department 

RM Wilson 

Sandia Corporation (DOE) 

Scag Power Equipment 

SIRTI 

SkyJack Inc. 

Springfield Pike Mine 

State of Alaska 

University of Connecticut 

University of Connecticut Health Center 

Veterans Health Administration 

West Virginia University 

Yale University 

Here are just a few of the businesses, organizations, labor groups, 

and research centers that have partnered with NIOSH.

► E-mail nioshr2p@cdc.gov to find out 

how you can add yourself to this list. 

Join us in moving science to solutions!

Safer • Healthier • People

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2005-157