HAZMAT ER Courses

The American Conference of Governmental Environmental Managers recently contracted GBK to provide a series of professional development training programs to its members.

Emergency Response to Hazardous Materials

Workers assigned to duties involving the emergency response to hazardous materials incidents must also receive training.  OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard, as well as, The National Fire Protection Association’s recommended practices 471 & 472 have standardized a tiered approach to emergency responder competencies that is based on the responder’s role in your installation’s emergency response plan. 

The five emergency responder competencies and their respective training requirements according to OSHA’s HAZWOPER and NFPA 471 & 472 are:

First Responder Awareness Level - 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i)

First responders at the awareness level are those persons who, in the course of their normal duties, can be the first on the scene of an emergency involving hazardous materials.  First responders at the awareness level are expected to recognize the presence of hazardous materials, protect themselves, call for trained personnel, and secure the area. 

First Responder Operations Level - 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii)

First responders at the operational level are those persons who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials as part of the initial response to the incident for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, the environment, or property from the effects of the release.  They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion to control the release from a safe distance and keep it from spreading.  Our 16-hour HazMat First Responder Operations Course is intended for non-DoD fire fighters who have a roll in the installation response plan at the operations level.

Hazardous Materials Technician Level - 29 CFR 1910.120 (q)(6)(iii)

Hazardous materials technicians are those persons who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purpose of controlling the release.  Hazardous materials technicians are expected to use specialized chemical protective equipment and specialized instrumentation.   As with the HAZWOPER requirement, it is preferable to attend training that is accredited with the US EPA’s Environmental Response Team External Provider Program.  GBK is an Approved Provider of the Emergency Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents (EPA 165.15), a forty (40) hour course intended to comply with this requirement

Hazardous Materials Specialist Level - 29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (6)(iv)

Hazardous materials specialists have a similar role to the hazardous materials technician except that specialized knowledge of the installation response plan, personal protective equipment, and instrumentation is expected.

On-Scene Incident Commander - 29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (6)(v)

The incident commander is responsible for all decisions relating to the management of the incident.  The incident commander is identified in the installation response plan and is in charge of the incident site.  An 24 hours of instruction on: emergency response planning; the incident command system; and regulatory compliance is required.  Our On-Scene Incident Commander Course is designed to comply with the regulatory requirements, as well as function within your installation planning.

Regardless of which course you require, you are encouraged to seek emergency response training that is specifically designed around your installation response planning.  A multi-tiered course can be developed to provide several different competencies within the same training event.  This approach has proven to be a cost effective alternative to procuring several different courses.  Please contact a GBK representative to explore this option.

Since 1998, GBK has been providing training in response to weapons of mass destruction.  GBK recently completed the development and delivery of HAZMAT Specialist: Emergency Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction.  more 

Interactive computer based training (CBT) has set the standard for training and communication among today's leading organizations.  GBK employs the latest technologies in communicating installation program requirements through emersive media and flash components.  To discuss how GBK's integrated training systems might be the solution to your training requirements contact Linda Fleur, or call 888.408.0700 ext 401