What is the primary responsibility of responders trained at the operations level?

The primary responsibility of responders trained at the operations level is to protect individuals, the environment, and property. Those at this level are equipped to respond to hazardous materials incidents in a way that ensures safety for themselves and others while managing risks associated with hazardous substances. Their training emphasizes recognizing potential hazards, using personal protective equipment, implementing basic control techniques, and establishing an initial response to mitigate the incident's impact.

This focus on protection is key, as operations-level responders may not have the authority or training to conduct extensive investigations, clean up hazardous materials, or train others. Instead, they serve to establish a safe perimeter, support higher-level responders, and assist in the protection of the community and the environment during an incident.