HAZWOPER: Same vital training, lower cost

Photo By Cpl. Sarah Cherry | Capt. J. Ramseur, a base fire fighter aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, teaches students about protective gear used for hazardous waste emergency operations during a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response course, Jan. 14. The course, which is required for certain Marines and civilians the Air Station, has changes this year which reduce the cost from $600 to $1,000 per student to less than $50 per student.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

01.12.2015

Story by Cpl. Sarah Cherry 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is improving efficiency in 2015 with updates to the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training course. The cost-saving changes began with the Jan. 12 – Jan. 16 HAZWOPER course.

The course is required by federal law and regulation for Marines aboard the Air Station performing work that could expose them to hazardous substances.

“Since we generate hazardous material, there’s a chance that an emergency could occur,” said Corey Jackson, Comprehensive Environmental Training and Education Program coordinator and new instructor for the HAZWOPER course. “Before we would have contractors come out and provide the training.”

Now, Jackson is certified to teach the course, which benefits the Air Station by drastically reducing the cost. Although the standard is the same, it is now provided at a better cost.

“When you look at the change in cost, it’s a no-brainer,” said Jackson. “It’s a 40 hour course, and could cost anywhere from 600 to 1,000 dollars [to have a contractor teach the course or send Marines to a resident course]. With Jackson providing instruction locally, the course now costs less than 50 dollars per student, he said.

For Air Station Marines, the course can now be taught specifically for them; specific hazards they have encountered, are likely to encounter, and historical examples.

“It’s critical that you use familiar examples so the attendees can see first-hand the reality or the possibility of that emergency occurring,” said Jackson. “I try to look at the hazards specific to the Marines’ unit so we can dispel the myths and address how situations have been handled well or poorly in the past.”

Providing the same training with a lower price tag will benefit the Air Station, as well as the Marines taking the course with a local instructor more familiar with the specific hazards they may face.

• Date Taken: 01.12.2015
• Date Posted: 01.23.2015 11:39
• Story ID: 152570
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US