HazMat Quality Training Above

Several areas that are sometimes overlooked, but in my opinion very important are the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) and the chemistry of hazardous materials. Now don't get freaked out by chemistry. I am talking about a basic course designed for first responders, talking about the chemical and physical characteristics of common hazardous materials such as propane, chlorine and others. There are many incidents that could also be used as case studies during the course. The ERG is also a good subject for a company level drill. Many departments get the guides and through them in the glove box and no one really knows how to use the book effectively. It is important to use activities with slides of placards and labels to get the students into the guidebook so they will know how to navigate the book and extract information. If you have questions, or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.

I like the scenario based training especially for HazMat. I teach courses and always like to end with a good response drill. It might go like this:

A 55 Gallon drum of (Choose your poison) has been punctured by a forklift. I will take a drum and put a forklift type gash in it. I place a hose in the top of the drum (My 55 gallon drums never run out of product). I will also take a small sample in a jar of whatever the product is. I might label the drum (or not). I might have a victim or maybe the product running to a drain. I'll have HazMat respond and set up. When they go in to take a smaple I will hand them the jar so they can field test (HazCat) it.

Other ideas:

Get ahold of old welding bottles or 1-ton cylinders. After depreserizing open them up and adapt a water and air fitting so you can pressurize the valvles and burst disks. There is nothing like trying to get a Chlorine kit on a presurized Chlorine bottle.

Check with your local railway. See if they have some old Manway covers and valves. Mount them on a high platform with a narrow ladder. Again adapt them for pressure to the valves and disks.

Does the local gasoline refinery have a 306 tanker that was crshed and can't be used anymore? If so haul it to your training site and practice away.

Anyway just some ideas. Good luck with your training!

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Brian Johnson
Assistant Chief
Okinawa, Japan

I am looking for some quality training ideas not vendors for hazmat courses. We have the standards, but I am looking for something that is a step above the regular stuff.

Anyone have any ideas??