Hazardous Materials First Responder (Operations Level)

(B) First Responder, Operations Level (FRO): First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures. First responders at the operational level shall have received at least eight hours of training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas in addition to those listed for the awareness level; and the employer shall so certify:

1. Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques.
2. Know how to select and use proper PPE provided to the first responder operational level.
3. An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms.
4. Know how to perform basic control, containment, and/or confinement operations and rescue injured or contaminated persons within the capabilities of the resources and PPE available with their unit.
5. Know how to implement basic equipment, victim, and rescue personnel decontamination procedures.
6. An understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures and termination procedures.

At the completion of this training session, participants will achieve all of the following objectives through completion of a state certified exam meeting performance standards.

• All First Responder Awareness Level Information
• Introduction to Haz Mat at the FRO Level.
• Hazardous Material Recognition and Safety
• Safety, Isolation and Notifications (SIN)
• Incident Command
• Identification, Hazard Assessment and Action Planning
• Protective Equipment and First Responder Limitations
• Haz Mat Release Countermeasures
• Protection Actions
• Decon, Disposal and Documentation
• Agency, Coordination and pre-Even Plans
• The Safe and Competent Haz Mat Response
• Exercise, Critique and Exercise Briefing
•  The Media and Haz Mat Legal Aspects

At the conclusion of the class, each participant will take a written examination and complete a course evaluation.