The InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability

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The InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability

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“Out of Many, One” The IAB also informs broader emergency preparedness and response policy, doctrine, and practice.

The IAB is a voluntary, collaborative panel of emergency preparedness and response practitioners from a wide array of professional disciplines that represents all levels of government and operational, technical, and support organizations. The IAB provides a structured forum for the exchange of ideas to improve national preparedness and promote interoperability and compatibility among local, state, and federal response communities. Based on direct field experience, IAB members advocate for and assist with the development and implementation of performance criteria, standards, test protocols, and technical, operating, and training requirements for all-hazards incident response equipment with a special emphasis on CBRNE issues.

10/16/2026

Episode 15: Introduction to Local Emergency Planning Committees is out now! Check it out on all major podcast platforms!

https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

If you have comments, need more information, or have a topic you’d like us to examine in a future episode, email [email protected]

10/08/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝟏𝟖𝟕𝟏 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞⏳

The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871, destroying 3.3 square miles, leveling 17,000 buildings, and leaving 100,000 people homeless. The fire claimed 300 lives, fueled by drought, high winds, and wooden construction. The failure to contain the initial blaze highlighted a desperate need for standardized fire hydrant connections and professionalized municipal services, fundamentally changing American urban planning and leading to the first comprehensive national fire codes.

Chicago's lessons are central to the standards in Section [20]: Intervention Equipment, which ensures modern departments have high-capacity pumping systems and standardized hose couplings to prevent the "mismatched thread" issues of 1871. Section [03]: CBRNE Operational, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Equipment provides standards for thermal imaging cameras (TICs), while Section [01]: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensures firefighters can operate in high-heat environments. Finally, Section [06]: Interoperable Communications Equipment allows multiple agencies to coordinate effectively during massive conflagrations.

Video Credit: Daily Dose Documentary (YouTube)

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

Want to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

10/01/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟎 𝐋𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠⏳

On October 1, 1910, a dynamite bomb placed by union activists destroyed the Los Angeles Times building, killing 21 people. The explosion ignited natural gas lines, creating a secondary firestorm that consumed the structure. This event was a watershed moment for American law enforcement, leading to one of the first major multi-jurisdictional forensic investigations and highlighting the devastating potential of industrial explosives used as improvised weapons in dense urban environments.

The IAB’s SEL addresses the legacy of such bombings by providing rigorous criteria for modern technology in Section [02]: Explosive Device Mitigation and Remediation Equipment. This includes standards for portable X-ray systems and robotic platforms that allow technicians to disrupt devices without entering the hot zone. Additionally, Section [07]: Detection emphasizes advanced v***r detectors to identify compounds like dynamite before an incident, while Section [03]: CBRNE Operational, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Equipment provides the technical rescue tools necessary to stabilize blast-damaged structures.

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

What to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

09/28/2026

Episode 17: Scholarships for Responders, Part 2 is out now! Check it out on all major podcast platforms!

https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

If you have comments, need more information, or have a topic you’d like us to examine in a future episode, email [email protected]

09/26/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)⏳

On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic inland flooding across the Appalachian Mountains, specifically in North Carolina and Tennessee. The storm resulted in massive loss of life and destroyed communities via unprecedented rainfall and landslides. This highlighted the danger of "inland flooding" and mountain infrastructure vulnerability, requiring a massive multi-state search and rescue operation.

The Helene response utilized the full spectrum of SEL standards. Section [03]: CBRNE Operational, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Equipment provides criteria for swiftwater rescue gear and technical shoring for landslide debris. Section [18]: CBRNE Aviation Equipment covers the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used to locate stranded residents. Furthermore, Section [06]: Interoperable Communications Equipment allowed coordination across rugged terrain where cell service was non-existent, ensuring multi-agency effectiveness in remote disaster zones.

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

What to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

09/24/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝟏𝟕𝟖𝟗)⏳

On September 24, 1789, President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act, establishing the Office of the U.S. Marshal. These were the first federal law enforcement officers, tasked with serving writs, protecting judges, and conducting the census. The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency, representing the foundational authority of the federal government in enforcing law across state lines.

While the original marshals used only a badge and horse, the SEL provides modern standards for federal tactical gear. Section [06]: Interoperable Communications Equipment and Section [04]: Information Technology cover encrypted systems and advanced surveillance for tracking fugitives. Additionally, Section [12]: CBRNE Incident Response Vehicles and Section [01]: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensure marshals have the same caliber of ballistic and chemical protection as elite response teams, equipping the oldest agency with the newest technology.

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

What to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

09/22/2026

Episode 16: Scholarships for Responders, Part 1 is out now! Check it out on all major podcast platforms!

https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

If you have comments, need more information, or have a topic you’d like us to examine in a future episode, email [email protected]

09/21/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲" (𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟔)⏳

On September 21, 1966, the National Academy of Sciences published "Accidental Death and Disability," often called the "White Paper" of EMS. It revealed that more Americans died in traffic accidents than in the Korean War and that the lack of standardized pre-hospital care was a national crisis. This served as the blueprint for the modern EMS system, leading to the EMT-Basic curriculum and mandated ambulance services.

The principles of the 1966 White Paper are foundational to Section [09]: Medical of the SEL. This section ensures that modern tools like cardiac monitors, AEDs, and advanced airway management kits meet rigorous reliability standards. This mirrors the report's call for professionalized equipment in the field. By maintaining these standards, the IAB ensures the "mobile intensive care" concept envisioned in the 1960s is supported by the most advanced medical technology available today.

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

What to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

09/20/2026

⏳𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐄𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐃 (𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟒)⏳

On September 20, 1974, Officer Gail Cobb of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect. Officer Cobb was the first female law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in the U.S. Her sacrifice underscored the equal risks faced by all officers and she remains a symbol of courage within the public safety community.

The IAB honors legacies like Gail Cobb's by maintaining the highest standards for ballistic protection in Section [01]: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This section defines requirements for soft body armor and hard plates designed to stop modern handgun and r***e projectiles. Additionally, Section [09]: Medical provides standards for tactical gear like tourniquets and chest seals, ensuring officers have the tools to treat life-threatening injuries in the field before specialized medical help can arrive.

Want more info about the IAB? Check us out at: https://interagencyboard.org/

Want to check out the IAB’s interactive Standardized Equipment List (SEL)? Check it out at: https://sel.iabfoundation.org/SELint.aspx

What to check out the latest InterAgency Podcast episode? Listen and subscribe at: https://interagencyboard.org/podcast/

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http://www.interagencyboard.org/

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