ABSTRACT
Introduction Mention the word chemistry to the average firefighter or other emergency responder and it strikes fear in their heart. Maybe that is a bit overstated, but the idea of chemistry certainly creates a great deal of anxiety to some. Many emergency personnel do not want any part of chemistry, often because they feel it is too difficult or complicated. Difficulty of the subject of chemistry is not the material itself; it is in convincing emergency response personnel that they need to study the concepts to make them better hazardous materials responders at all levels.
