ID
4-509-1477
Name
Chemical Operations Support Specialist
Status
Published
Version
2.2
Updated
6/14/2023 12:41:12 PM
Original Release
03/15/2022
Last Major Release
NQS Position
Resource Category
Fire/Hazardous Materials
Primary Core Capability
Situational Assessment
Secondary Core Capability
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Chemical Operations Support Specialist (COSS):
1. Provides subject matter expertise and guidance on questions pertaining to chemical incidents, the environment, modeling of the hazard(s), data and risk management, public protective actions and other scientific and technical issues to any level of all response organizations on these topics
2. Gathers, organizes, synthesizes, documents and distributes incident and resource information to improve situational awareness at all levels of incident management
3. Provides the expertise necessary to clearly explain the implications of modeling, measurement and analysis methods, as well as health risks and hazards existing during a chemical incident
4. Supports state and local authorities with jurisdiction for chemical emergency response and recovery
5. Assists with effective integration of state and local planning and actions with federal agencies
6. Integrates into the incident command structure and/or defers to a Federal On-Scene Coordinator's authorities, as appropriate, given the specifics of an incident
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
Description Notes
Not Specified
| Supporting Core Capabilities |
|---|
| None |
| Types | |
|---|---|
| Type | Description |
| Type 1 | Same as Type 2, PLUS 1. Works at both the Incident Command Post (ICP) and emergency operations center (EOC) levels 2. Advises and makes recommendations to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and chief elected officials 3. Activates and integrates federal chemical response assets and capabilities from across the federal government into the response 4. Coordinates chemical activities and technical data management with other COSS team members and federal response assets across the entire incident 5. Integrates into a state, local, tribal or territorial (SLTT) EOC and coordinates with the chemical incident management authority 6. Supports chemical response preparedness activities and exercises at the SLTT level 7. Manages multiple COSS Strike Team Leaders engaged in a variety of chemical response activities including: a. Human exposure response b. Ecological exposureresponse c. Environmental impact projection and assessment 8. Maintains consistent: a. Chemical situational awareness b. Management of geographically and temporally extensive environmental sampling c. Chemical analysis of samples d. Chemical safety advisement to emergency support functions engaged in lifesaving activities e. Input to the restoration of critical infrastructure f. Decontamination of people and places g. Waste management |
| Type 2 | Same as Type 3, PLUS 1. Performs exposure estimates for a variety of exposure routes and scenarios 2. Describes key state and federal chemical response capabilities, assets, and reporting structures, and how to integrate them into a response 3. Communicates complex chemical issues to large groups and/or senior managers and supports public message development 4. Assists in the building of Incident Action Plans (IAPs) that balance complex chemical safety concerns with mission priorities 5. Works closely with command staff and emergency management teams to accomplish incident objectives 6. Works effectively with other COSSs, within COSS Strike Teams or as a COSS Strike Team Leader to reduce large amounts of diverse chemical data from a wide variety of response and recovery resources to ensure a common chemical operating picture across all affected jurisdictions |
| Type 3 | The COSS Type 3: 1. Operates as a technical specialist and advises response personnel and AHJ on issues pertaining to chemical incident response 2. Provides chemical incident assessment and resource information through: a. Interpreting and communicating model and measurement results and data products b. Proficient use of the CBRNResponder Mobile App and website to collect and share data c. Awareness of SLTT chemical management programs and other chemical emergency preparedness assets and key federal chemical response assets d. Exchange of technical information with other COSS members in the response and advisory organizations to ensure protection guidance is being properly communicated e. Ability to report to a COSS Strike Team Leader and work effectively within a COSS Strike Team at ICPs and other incident management centers to ensure a common chemical operating picture is used across the entire geographic and time range of response and recovery for compatible and effective decision-making f. Supporting the development of operational objectives for the implementation of protective actions and emergency worker protection on a unit-by-unit level 3. Guides chemical aspects of response during the event through: a. Working knowledge of chemical protection guidance and best practices, including, but not limited to: US Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Pocket Guide, Wireless Information System for Emergency Response (WISER), Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO), Chemical Companion software and other chemical emergency response and recovery guidance and how they may best be used b. Ability to obtain updated/additional chemical advice and recommendations from appropriate advisory organizations c. Assisting responding agencies and agency decision makers in use of CBRNResponder website to maintain situational awareness of chemical aspects of the incident d. Communicating chemical issues to a non-technical audience and providing just-in-time training for first responders for the CBRNResponder Mobile App and website, monitoring devices and safety protocols e. Effectively integrating into the Incident Command System (ICS) structure |
| Type 4 | The COSS Type 4: Has completed initial COSS training and can work as a technical specialist under the supervision of a Type 3 or higher COSS |
| Components | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Notes | |||||||||||||
| Education | Not Specified |
| ||||||||||||
| Training | Not Specified |
| ||||||||||||
| Experience | Not Specified |
| ||||||||||||
| Physical/Medical Fitness | The NIMS Guideline for the NQS defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NQS positions. |
| ||||||||||||
| Currency | Not Specified |
| ||||||||||||
| Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications | Not Specified |
| ||||||||||||
| Composition and Ordering Specifications |
|---|
| Specification |
| Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment |
| The position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours, and is deployable for up to 14 days |
| Notes |
|---|
| References |
|---|
| Reference |
| Information for listed training courses can be found at the following sites: |
| Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/training/learning/index.html |
| Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP): https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/courses |
| Counterterrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Center: http://www.ctosnnsa.org/pages/ctos_overview.htm |
| Emergency Management Institute (EMI): https://training.fema.gov/emicourses/ |
| Published Versions | ||
| Version | Publish Date | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | 6/14/2023 12:41:12 PM | |
| 2.1 | 6/14/2023 12:33:35 PM | |
| 2.0 | 2/6/2023 3:10:06 PM | |
| 1.0 | 3/15/2022 12:10:57 PM | |