FIRE 160 - Hazardous Materials First Responder

Credits: 4
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 33
Lab Hours: 22
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Prepares firefighters who witness or discover hazardous materials releases to recognize the presence of hazmat, protect themselves, secure the area, initiate emergency response of additional resources, and take defensive actions. Meets the training requirements for Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness & Operations. Meets the training requirements for Hazardous Materials First Responder-Awareness & Operations Level certification.

Prerequisite: None.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Understand the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous materials are present.
Recognize the presence of hazardous materials in an emergency. Identify the hazardous materials if possible.
Understand the role of the first responder awareness individual in the employer’s emergency response plan including site security and control and the Emergency Response Guidebook.
Realize and act on the need for additional resources. Make appropriate notifications to the communication center.
Demonstrate knowledge of basic hazard and risk assessment techniques, given a simulated incident involving hazardous materials.
Demonstrate use proper site security techniques to protect first responders and the public, given a simulated incident involving hazardous materials.
Select and demonstrate correct use of proper personal protective equipment, given a simulated incident involving hazardous materials.
Describe basic control, containment, and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available within the student’s unit.
List and define appropriate basic decontamination procedures. Identify relevant Standard Operating Procedures and termination procedures.
PROGRAM OUTCOME: Students will efficiently utilize tactical resources and effective methods of deployment in responding to a variety of emergency incidents.

Course Contents

Hazardous materials response overview. Law & regulations related to hazardous materials response.
Properties & toxicity of hazardous materials. Detecting the presence of hazardous materials.
Surveying the hazardous materials incident. Initiating protective actions.
Recognizing & protecting against terrorism. Initiating the notification process.
Hazardous materials incident management system. Hazard risk assessment.
Personal protective equipment. Decontamination.
Defensive control actions. Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office certification examination.

Instructional Units: 4.5