Nuclear, biological and chemical agents are hazardous materials. NBC decontamination procedures are based on the standard procedures used by Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Teams across the country.

The decontamination area is where the contamination will be systematically removed.

Selecting which decontamination procedures to use will be contingent upon whom or what will be decontaminated, what the contaminant is and how much contact there was with it, whether the person being decontaminated is ambulatory or is experiencing a medical emergency, and the resources available to perform the decontamination procedures.

There are many possible options for the number of steps or procedures required during the contamination reduction process.

How in-depth the process will be depends on the hazard, the condition of the people or equipment in need of decontamination, and the resources available for performing the contamination reduction process.