| These days, the importance of HAZMAT training | | | | professionals. |
| to firefighters can't be overstated. We live in an | | | | A Wide Training Base |
| increasingly explosive world. Threats of terrorism, | | | | Hazardous training that needs mastered includes |
| declining infrastructure, and increased shipping of | | | | pressurized cylinder control, drum breach, diking, |
| hazardous waste create a potentially explosive | | | | diverting, damming, retention and fuel truck |
| situation in any variety of environments, and | | | | accidents. These are all situations that can easily |
| firefighters are often the first to respond. | | | | occur on highway systems in small communities. |
| Firefighters became the national symbol of | | | | Everyone needs to be an expert, especially those |
| heroism following the 9-11 attacks for good | | | | on the ground who are on the front line. |
| reason. In hazardous situations, firefighters | | | | Customized Focus for Unique Needs |
| regularly take their lives into their own hands in | | | | At the same time, your fire department has its |
| order to save others. It's an important part of | | | | own needs when it comes to training. Your staff |
| the job description. | | | | may already be well versed in one area, but need |
| Emergencies are Always Local | | | | help on another. Perhaps you live near a harbor |
| Releases of hazardous materials are a disturbingly | | | | and water issues should be given a special focus. |
| common occurrence. Much of this waste is | | | | Your staff likely has varying levels of training, and |
| circulated across America's highway and railway | | | | therefore has is own needs and focuses for the |
| systems, often through small communities. When | | | | training. You need a HAZMAT training that takes a |
| a situation arises, often it's the a firefighter from | | | | customized approach, working one on one with |
| a small community that's the first to respond to | | | | your department to see which training to focus |
| the scene. He or she must have a completely | | | | on first, designing an implementation strategy for |
| extensive knowledge of HAZMAT training. Some | | | | the most extensive program possible. |
| spills can be cleaned up with cleaning products and | | | | Grant Funding Available |
| a mop. Others require HAZMAT professionals with | | | | Everyone is hit by this recession, especially |
| key environmental training. Any community | | | | localized departments. However, there are |
| firefighter must have the training to know when | | | | Homeland Security and other grants available for |
| it's time to isolate a situation and call in the | | | | HAZMAT training at the local level. |
