In October 2006, Congress authorized and required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to regulate security at chemical facilities that DHS determines are high-risk. To implement this authority, DHS issued the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards regulation (CFATS) in 2007. Under CFATS, facilities that have been finally determined by DHS to be high-risk are required to develop and implement Site Security Plans (SSPs) or Alternative Security Programs (ASPs) that meet applicable risk-based performance standards (RBPS). This document outlines the role of emergency responders under the CFATS. Collaboration between CFATS facilities and emergency responders is critical to ensuring a secure and resilient community.

For additional information the DHS has also established a CFATS webpage.