Federal funding enables public safety personnel to receive advanced training

Written by jrood

SERTC is now enrolling emergency responders for hazardous material training through a federally funded program that provides broad access to intensive training at our world-class training facility located at the Transportation Technology Center, Pueblo, Colo. Registration for training is available on at www.sertc.org.

"Public safety
personnel, firefighters and law enforcement staffs have a new opportunity to
receive the training that we have offered to the private sector for over two
decades," said Mike Cook, general manager of SERTC.

Front line
responders from state, local, and tribal organizations are being accepted in
the first of a series of advanced, mode specific technician and specialist
level courses that will prepare them with the knowledge and experience to deal
successfully, effectively, and safely with large-scale emergencies involving
hazardous materials and potential WMD events in their home jurisdictions.

"The first NDPC
class, the Tank Car Specialist class, began June 28, running through July 2,
and was attended by numerous DHS/FEMA-funded first responders," said Cook.  "It is a five-day, advanced training
course with realistic and demanding hands-on response to rail related
emergencies.

"Today, we are
honoring our first DHS-funded student, Nathan Bastiaans, a firefighter with the
Firestone Fire Protection District, Frederick, Colo., with an honorary
certificate and mementos for being the first person to sign up for our class,"
Cook added. "Additionally, we are announcing our next DHS authorized class, the
Highway Emergency Response Specialist class, which runs July 12-16 and is open
for enrollment.  This class
addresses techniques for motor carrier hazardous material emergency response
preparedness."

A leadership and
management course addressing surface transportation incidents is expected to
receive Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management
Administration (DHS/FEMA) authorization soon, significantly expanding the
capabilities of public safety responders to receive practical training
commensurate with their responsibilities.

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