Course Description
 

This course meets or exceeds the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1072 Hazardous Materials/WMD Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications; Chapter 8 – Incident Commander, NFPA 472 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents; Chapter 8 - Competencies for Incident Commanders
 

Duration

The course duration is 16 hours. 
 

Prerequisites

Participants pursuing certification must provide proof of NFPA 1072 Operations or NFPA 472 Competencies for Operations Level Personnel (2018 edition) certification.
 

Course Overview:

• Duration: 16 hours
• Format: Combination of classroom instruction, practical exercises, and simulations
• Certification: Participants will receive a certificate of completion that verifies their competence in Hazardous Materials Incident Command as outlined by NFPA 472. Certificates will be mailed after successful completion of the course.
• Prerequisites: NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072 Operations level (Preference of Technician Level)

Course Outline:
 

Module 1: Introduction to Hazardous Materials

• Understanding hazardous materials and their risks
• Overview of NFPA 472 and its importance
• Recognizing and identifying hazardous materials

Module 2: Chemical and Physical Properties of Hazardous Substances

• Basic chemistry and toxicology
• Understanding material safety data sheets (MSDS) and shipping documents
• Using chemical protective clothing and equipment

Module 3: Site Management and Control

• Establishing control zones: hot, warm, and cold zones
• Use of emergency decontamination procedures
• Implementing standard operating and emergency response procedures

Module 4: Tactical Considerations

• Analyzing the incident to determine the nature and extent of the problem
• Predicting behavior of hazardous materials
• Implementing defensive response strategies to minimize harm

Module 5: Incident Management

• Roles and responsibilities under the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Coordination with other agencies and responders
• Documentation and evidence preservation

Module 6: Termination and Post-Incident Analysis

• Recovery and termination procedures
• Conducting debriefings and after-action reviews
• Stress management and health monitoring

Evaluation:

• Written exam 
• Practical exercises to demonstrate competence in handling hazardous materials incidents
• Scenario-based evaluations to test decision-making and operational skills