Course overview and learning outcomes

Fire and rescue services are responsible, under legislation and regulations, for developing policies and procedures, and to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to their personnel about foreseeable hazards and the control measures used to mitigate the risks arising from those hazards.

The aim of this course is to provide learners (Incident Commanders) with the necessary knowledge, understanding and experience to attend incidents involving hazardous materials and to bring them to a successful conclusion or manage them in a safe and effective manner, until the arrival of a Specialist Officer who possess a higher level of knowledge and experience in the field of hazardous materials (HMA).

Due to the increased number of hazardous materials incidents attended by UK FRS over recent years, such as acid attacks, home-made explosives, illicit drugs labs, domestic carbon-monoxide and individual chemical exposures to name but a few, we have a responsibility to ensure that the Incident Commanders mobilised to such incidents are prepared to deal with what they face.

By the end of the course, learners will have an understanding of;

• the foundation for hazmats
• the UN Classification of hazardous materials
• CLP and CHIP
• Material properties
• Signage labelling and placarding
• Incident scene management
• Initial operational response
• JESIP
• Information retrieval and sources.

During the course learners will attend fire ground scenarios including, but not limited to;

• Asbestos
• Acetylene
• Individual chemical exposures
• Fly tipping involving hazardous materials
• Radiation
• Transportation of hazmats on rail lines and highways
• Illicit drugs labs
• Commercial processes
• Carbon Monoxide.

Who should attend and key benefits

This course is suitable for all Level 1 Incident Commanders and initial on-scene officers in charge.

The course entails four and a half days including; one day of theory input followed by three full days of scenario based training followed with an in-depth debrief and feedback to finish the course. Specialist input is given from Gloucestershire Police CBRN(e) team who also provide feedback from their perspective, on some of the scenarios.

How is the course assessed and accredited?

Learners will receive verbal and written feedback on their performance as incident commanders; in turn it will support the learner's continuing professional development and maintenance of competence.

By completing this course each learner will receive an FSC certificate, the workbook ‘journal’ and feedback as part of their continuing professional development. This is not a pass/fail course and therefore not mandatory for promotional development.

Dates and prices

For further information or to make a booking on this course please contact the Business Development Team on 01608 812984 or email sales@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

To see our full terms and conditions please click here