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Gibson County LEPC highlights free hazmat technician class with 19 students
Summary
The LEPC reported 19 students in an IAFF-funded hazmat technician class covering local departments; instructors’ travel and instruction are covered by the grant, so municipalities incur no training costs.
The Gibson County Local Emergency Planning Committee heard an update that 19 students are enrolled in a hazmat technician class funded through a grant by the International Association of Fire Fighters, and members said the course is being provided at no cost to local municipalities.
At the meeting an LEPC member listed participating departments: ‘‘We have 5 from Princeton fire, 5 from Patoka Township, 4 or 5 from Vincennes Township, and 6 from Vincennes city fire department,’’ and said there are 10 additional students in the current class. The committee noted the international organization covers instructors’ travel and pay, so the only local cost is personnel time to attend.
Committee members described the instructors as experienced hazmat practitioners, with one instructor identified as a retired hazmat operations chief and another as a retired captain from a Chicago fire department hazmat squad. The committee said the training replicates offerings run previously (including in 2010) and provides countywide access to equipment ordered for class use.
Members discussed county capabilities: the LEPC estimated about a dozen active technician-level firefighters in Gibson County and said the county lacks funding for a fully equipped, standalone HAZMAT team because equipment costs run into the ‘‘hundreds of thousands of dollars.’’ Regional teams in Evansville and Vincennes were noted as available to assist on large incidents.
The committee said the class will support regional interoperability and that equipment purchased for the class (Dräger SimulTest kit and patch/plug kits) will be available to departments across the county after the class.
