紧急响应者需要便携式，可靠的工具来快速表征事故，故意发布和对受污染地点的调查中的物质危害。这种需求是基于（1）监视和检测工具是任何基于风险的响应的关键要素的反应理念；（2）工具和技术是改善我们的响应但不推动响应的工具；（3）应急响应者必须接受教育的消费者和训练有素的专业人员，以安全有效地使用该技术并解释其结果，同时确保公共和应急人员的安全。本文将回顾当前的监测和检测技术的应用和使用及其收益和潜在陷阱。
近年来,许多美军陆军第一响应者nity have become enthralled with the technology introduced. However, in embracing the technology, have we lost the importance of taking a step back and analyzing the hazards of the incident? Should we look at incidents using a risk-based approach, or should the available monitoring and detection technology guide the response? Using a risk-based approach would include understanding the basic chemical and physical properties that would help to identify fire, toxicity, corrosivity, and the ability of materials to release energy (including explosive, reactivity, and radioactivity). By first understanding and identifying the hazard, the responder can then concentrate on identifying the specific product. The priority, though, should be to concentrate on the hazard.
检测设备制造商努力制造产品较小，更轻且易于使用的产品，并且比以往任何时候都提供更多的功能。这已成为试图吸引紧急响应者以更少的钱购买更复杂产品的牛市。但是我们到达了技术上限吗？这些复杂的仪器能够到达未来，以至于应急响应者无法有效地解释该仪器提供的数据？
