First responders who arrive on scene of a hazardous materials incident may be assigned to an engine, ladder truck, rescue, or ambulance with very little sophisticated HAZMAT equipment. Despite these limitations, their actions during the initial response will often set the stage for the success or failure of the entire event. Many incidents start out as minor "routine" events that suddenly escalate when something goes terribly wrong. Perhaps first responders did not anticipate the involvement of hazardous materials in a response to a rear-end collision involving two passenger vehicles, an EMS...