NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE COURSES
Basic Chemistry
This 40-hour course focuses on the basic knowledge required to evaluate
the potential hazards and behaviors of materials considered hazardous.
It examines the reason for the chemical behavior of hazardous materials
and is designed to improve decision-making, safety operations, and handling
and site assessments. Units of the course include the Periodic Table,
placards and labels, salts, non-salts and the hydrocarbon family, hydrocarbon
derivatives, physical process of combustion, and fuel quantity. An understanding
of basic chemistry is helpful to receive maximum benefit from the course.
Hazardous Materials Incident Management Course
This 40 hour course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the
emergency response personnel who will assume the Incident Commander (IC)
role in hazardous materials emergencies above the initial response. Based
on the current requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120 and the applicable national
standards, the program follows three phases of an incident preplanning,
incident operations, and post-incident responsibilities. Topics include
negligence and liability, planning, Incident Command System/Emergency
Operations Center interface, training requirements, and emergency response
plans. The student’s knowledge of the subject is evaluated through
written tests and graded scenarios. Evening class and projects are required.
Hazardous Materials Incident Command Course
This course is intended to provide intermediate or advanced levels of
instruction covering the ICS/IMS/NIIMS components and the primary objectives
that involve the application and management of assigned resources to effectively
and efficiently control any emergency incident. Emphasis is placed on
emergency response situations involving hazardous materials releases.
ICS components include: common terminology, modular organization, integrated
communications, unified command structure, consolidated action plans,
span of control, command post operations, and comprehensive resource management.
Discussion will key on the major functional areas of ICS: command, operations,
planning, logistics, and finance. Course objectives are in accordance
with federal OSHA HAZWOPER and NFPA 472 requirements for the On-Scene
Incident Commander.
Hazardous Materials Operating Site Practices
This 80 hour course focuses on the strategies and safe procedures for
alleviating the danger of a hazardous materials incident. It concentrates
on integrating knowledge about hazardous materials chemistry, storage,
transportation, and potential release scenarios with information about
local hazardous materials incident plans and response systems. Through
decision-making activities that are appropriate for Fire Officers operating
at the hazardous materials incident, the course participants will apply
the course information that is defined by current regulations and standards.
Subjects covered include, among others: hazardous materials response team
organization and equipment; hazard recognition; analytical instruments;
classes of hazardous materials; protective clothing; and breathing apparatus.
Case studies from fixed facility and transportation system accidents will
be analyzed.
Advanced Life Support Hazardous Materials
This 80 hour course is designed for paramedic personnel who have an Advanced
Life Support (ALS) emergency medical responsibility at hazardous materials
incidents, and it promises a rigorous experience for the student. In-depth
chemistry, as it relates to hazardous materials, the medical management
of victims, and the development and management of the hazardous materials
components of the medical support system are the three primary focuses
of this course. Toxicology and decontamination procedures are covered
from an advanced EMS viewpoint. Strategies for safe emergency medical
interaction with contaminated victims are discussed in detail. Student
Selection Criteria: ALS emergency medical personnel at EMS/HM Level II
who, as a part of their normal duties, may be called to perform patient
care activities in the warm zone at hazardous materials incidents.
Prerequisite: Applicants must provide current State or National
Registry Paramedic certification.