These regional teams, or RISTs, are composed of individuals (usually firefighters) who are highly skilled and experienced in the hazardous materials response community.

Each RIST includes a team leader and up to six team members who are first deployed by the fusion center after they receive notification of a significant hazardous material incident. 

The RIST members will make a request to interview the first responders shortly after the incident comes to a close. The regional incident survey teams will collect information on how well the first responders performed their jobs. The information passed along to the fusion center will be used to develop hazardous materials response techniques, lessons learned, and best practices. In no case will the data be used to condemn or criticize a certain jurisdiction’s response actions.