Book excerpt: This Revised Third Edition is now updated to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines. The need for hazardous materials emergency response has grown with the increased use of chemicals and the threat of terrorism. Designed for both the EMS field provider and first receivers in the hospital setting, this important resource provides field recognition and management guidelines for hazardous materials exposures and associated medical emergencies, including emergency care of exposed and contaminated patients. The 3rd edition has been expanded to provide responders with the information necessary to identify the scene of a terrorist act involving the use of hazardous materials, as well as triage procedures for chemical exposure and the management of a mass casualty incident. A total of 140 guidelines, cross-referenced to indexes, provide essential information on hazard classes and specific chemicals with initial hospital considerations. Descriptions of procedures, scene operations and support, medical surveillance, and suggested emergency equipment. Extensive indexes supply multiple ways to access important information to save critical time in the field. Content is updated to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines. Over 30 new WMD agent guidelines provide concise, consistent information on managing exposure to high-risk substances. Expanded size includes over 150 pages of new material. An expanded index and updated treatment guidelines are included. The treatment protocol section, drug protocol section, and EMS/hazardous materials operating procedures are updated and expanded. How to identify the scene of a terrorist act involving the use of hazardous materials. Information on mass casualty decontamination and crime scene identification will help reader formulate a plan before beginning to work.