FIST 2070 - Hazardous Materials Operations

3.5 Credits

This course introduces the basic skills necessary to safely and effectively manage on-scene operations involving the uncontrolled release of dangerous chemicals. It focuses on those individuals in local jurisdictions 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. Those individuals respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Upon successful completion, students are able to apply for certification at the Hazardous Materials Operations Level, as per OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.120, their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.

Lecture Hours: 3.0
Lab Hours: 2.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives

Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
Understand the actions to be taken to protect themselves and others, to control access to a hazmat scene, and predict the likely behavior of a material and its container.
Understand how to survey an incident to identify the containers and materials involved.
Estimate the potential harm within the endangered area at each incident.
Understand importance of and properly donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Understand establishing and enforcing scene control, including control zones and emergency decontamination, and communications between responders and to the public.
Understand decontamination issues, implementing a planned response, and enforcing scene control procedures.
Understand terrorism and the dangers posed by explosives, chemical and biological agents, and radiological incidents.

View Class Schedule