During the first thirty minutes of a hazardous materials incident, what resource is recommended for guidance?

The recommended resource for guidance during the first thirty minutes of a hazardous materials incident is the Emergency Response Guidebook. This guidebook is specifically designed to provide first responders with crucial information about hazardous materials. It includes immediate steps to take, recommendations for protective measures, evacuation distances, and actions to mitigate the hazard based on the type of material involved.

Using the Emergency Response Guidebook allows responders to quickly identify the substances involved and their potential risks. The organized, easy-to-follow structure of the guidebook helps professionals make informed decisions during the critical moments of an incident, ensuring the safety of both responders and the public.

While the other resources mentioned can be valuable in different contexts, they may not provide the immediate, specific guidance necessary in the early stages of a hazardous materials situation. For example, while a facility’s safety officer and a company's emergency response plan may contain useful information, they are generally not as readily accessible or relevant to all potential materials or situations as the Emergency Response Guidebook. Local law enforcement guidelines might provide security measures but would likely lack the detailed hazardous materials information needed for effective response.