Training Questions

Training Question

of the

DAY

(Click on question to respond to Question of the Day)


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How Often do you and your guys train on the ERG?
Dave LeBlanc, MA
Most of our ERG training is done when we do Haz Mat OPS. I did find a good drill online for review, but since we just had OPS last month, I'll probably wait a while before offering it up to my Captain.

Firefighters have the love for the Job but not for HazMat
Cincinnati,Ohio
How could anyone hate Haz - Mat?!! I guess like anything else we have a passion for it must be developed. I too am a Haz - Mat nerd and proud of it. Haz - Mat software on my PC, Laptop, and Palm pilot. I carry an ERG and a NIOSH book everywhere I go. I take pictures of containers I may have never seen. I think I have been to almost every Haz-Mat class offered. Anniston, Pueblo, Nevada and various and sundry classes in between!!
Robert Shelton, Ohio
You are right!! It is rare to find a firefighter who loves Haz-Mat!! As much as I love running into burning buildings, or hanging a couple of hundred feet off of a rope, those are very mechanical. Both skills take some thought, but haz-mat is what I call the "thinking" firemans job. Haz-Mat cannot be done by rote like other firefighting skills. It takes skill,finesse, and brains to do it and do it right!! Are you a member of the IAHMT? If not go to this website http://www.iahmt.com/ The dues for membership are $35 I met one of the co-founders at TTCI in Pueblo Colorado at the railcar specialist course. I am doing a presentation on Haz - Mat this year at FDIC. This is the 5th year I have done classroom and the second year I have done this presentation. It is basic info for those who don't like haz - mat, but everyone seems to enjoy it. Another resource is at www.simopsstudios.com. Great software for training!! I designed one of the scenarios. Well that's all for now. Good to meet a "thinking" fireman in the Ohio area. If you ever make it to Cincy look me up, or maybe I will see you in Indy
How many members does your HazMat team have that are active?
Nelson,Ohio
We currently have 35 members that are active on our team. The roster has about 50 members! 20 of the Active members are Technicians

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HazMat Rescue Who Does it?

Chief Smith, IL

I'm not sure what you mean by HazMat Rescue. If you mean who rescues a victim in a haz mat environment, it will most likely be a firefighter on the first alarm wearing turnouts and SCBA, EPA level D PPE. Rapid entry and emergency decon.
If you are refering to who is the RIT/RIC for a Level A or B entry team, we are part of a regional Haz Mat team and the team's SOP is to have its own RIT/RIC mad up of HM techs in equal or greated PPE. The HM team trains on self-rescue, emergency procedures and removal of stricken team members who have a failed suit or injury/illness prohbiting their removal. One area of weakness is rescue of victims in contaminated atmospheres of a confined space requiring level B PPE. Our new state-level Confined Space Rescue Tech (part of the state Technical Rescue Team program) covers those skills in a 5-day/40-plus hour class.

What are your procedures for a Emergency Response for a Hazardous Material Team?

Nick, Ohio

"We respond to every scene with lights and sirens"

Josh, Ohio

"It depends on each situation"

Amanda, New Mexico

"We always respond with lights and sirens, taking precautions with safety"

What are your procedures for Fire Gear underneath HazMat suits?

Chief Raney, Cali

If there is a possibility of a flammable atmosphere, they should not make the entry until the atmosphere has been adjusted. OSHA deals with a certain percentage of the LEL, etc., for a safety factor. However, if there is even a chance of that atmosphere changing toward the LEL, entry should not be made.

Robert,Texas

"Depends on if there is any danger of Fire"

James,KY

"We only wear our fire gear under our hazmat suits if there is a risk of fire"

What is the biggest HazMat Run you have responded to?

Marcus, NJ

"A tanker truck on fire on a highway"

Curt, GA

"The sugar plant fire"

What year did you take your first HazMat class?

Webmaster, Ohio

" I took my first HazMat class in 1998. Since then I have moved on to beoming a HazMat Command Trainer"



Should you wear Tyvex Suits Under a Level "A"?

Fire Chief Raney, CA

This issue is extremely old and came about with the thought of possible failure of the level A suit, and product getting inside. Although if the product warrants a level A, the tyvek wouldn't help much except maybe a little protection from skin contact. I didn't do it when I was leading the haz mat team. Once again, you are adding another layer to an already heavy, hot, cumbersome piece of clothing. I would prefer possibly a Nomex jump suit, just in case of a flash (which should always be addressed) under the level A and then the rest of the ensemble. Hot, humid, cumbersome, and limited vision is a tough atmosphere to work in, and I didn't want to make it any worse.


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