A number of departments stated that the LEPC should establish a video library. This would allow specialized training on a flexible schedule. There is a need and interest in EMS training and coordination with hospitals to properly deal with contaminated patients. The HMTA training program should be expanded in the future to include the pre-hospital care of contaminated patients. The hospital survey indicated a variety of levels of preparedness among the hospitals for dealing with contaminated patients.
Additional training is needed to ensure the safe hospital response during a hazmat incident.
Overall, less than half of the hospitals returned a survey and two hospitals answered no' or none' to every question. At the awareness level, many organizations reported that they need binoculars in their vehicles. The binoculars are necessary to read placards and collect other information from a safe distance. Numerous departments reported on the survey that they lack even the basic equipment necessary for responding to an incident. This was especially true with volunteer fire departments.