ASTM_E_2770_-_10.pdf

Designation:E277010Standard Guide forOperational Guidelines for Initial Response to a SuspectedBiothreat Agent1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2770;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONA biothreat is a serious matter that affects public health,public safety,the economy and the generalconfidence of the people.The National Strategy for Homeland Security and its National ResponseFramework focuses homeland security efforts on preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks,protectingthe American people,our critical infrastructure and key resources,and responding to and recoveringfrom incidents that do occur while continuing to strengthen the foundation of our nation.As laid outby the National Response Framework,a coordinated and synchronous response to suspected acts ofbio-terrorism requires advance planning,including the equipping and training of emergencyresponders prior to an incident.The goal of this standard guide is to support national standards forresponding to and collecting suspected biothreat agents with guidance centered on coordination amongrepresentatives of emergency response teams,including hazardous materials response teams,lawenforcement,public health,including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)nationalLaboratory Response Network(LRN),and the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI).This standardguide provides uniform guidance that covers all of the following components:response planning,responder training,competency evaluation,proficiency testing,concept of operations,hazardassessment,threat evaluation,sample collection,field screening,risk communication and documen-tation for responding to visible powders suspected of being biothreat agents.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides considerations for decision-makerswhen responding to incidents that may involve biothreats.Thisguide provides information and guidance for inclusion inresponse planning,on activities to conduct during an initialresponse to an incident involving suspected biothreat agents.1.2 This guide delineates fundamental requirements fordeveloping a biothreat sampling and screening capabilitywithin a jurisdiction,practice,or operational area to assureproper involvement,communication,and coordination of allrelevant agencies.1.3 This guide applies to emergency response agencies thathave a role in the initial response to a biothreat incident.Thisguide is designed for emergency response services such as lawenforcement,fire departments,hazardous materials,publichealth,and emergency management.1.4 This guide assumes implementation begins well beforethe recognition of a suspected biothreat event and ends whenemergency response actions cease or the response is assumedby federal response teams.1.5 This guide utilizes risk-based response architecture andthe guidance as described in the National Response Frameworkand is intended to be coupled with the authority havingjurisdictions(AHJs)understanding of local vulnerabilities andcapabilities when developing its plans and guidance documentson response to incidents involving a suspected biothreat.1.6 This guide is compliant with the National IncidentManagement System(NIMS)and uses Incident CommandSystem(ICS)common terminology.Full compliance withNIMS is recognized as an essential part of emergency responseplanning.In developing this standard,every effort was made toensure that all communications between organizational ele-ments during an incident are presented in plain languageaccording to NIMS 2008.In keeping with this NIMSrequirement,key definitions and terms,using plain English,areincorporated.1.7 This guide does not purport to address all of the safetyconcerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibilityof the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on HomelandSecurity Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E54.01 onCBRNE Sensors and Detectors.Current edition approved Oct.15,2010.Published November 2010.DOI:10.1520/E2770-10.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatorylimitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E2458 Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and SwabSample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of BeingBiothreat Agents from Nonporous SurfacesE2601 Practice for Radiological Emergency ResponseF2412 Test Methods for Foot ProtectionF2413 Specification for Performance Requirements for Pro-tective(Safety)Toe Cap Footwear2.2 Federal Government Regulations:318 USC 175 Prohibitions with respect to biological weapons18 USC 1038 False Information