Photo By Lance Cpl. Mhecaela Watts | Robert Moir, a firefighter with Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, gets help putting...... read more read more
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On Feb. 9, firefighters from fire departments all across Southern California, conducted one of the culminating exercises of a six-week hazardous materials technician and specialist training course. It took place at the wastewater treatment plant in the 20 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The students worked to contain a simulated sodium hypochlorite leak while wearing proper personal protection equipment with HAZMAT suits. They conducted a briefing and took turns eliminating the threat in teams of two.
Every six years, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton rotate hosting the course. This year was hosted by the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and funded by Marine Corps Installations Command’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives Installation Protection Program in support of MCI-West.
The course was provided by the Industrial Emergency Council, who specialize in teaching courses such as HAZMAT response to prevent injuries and reduce the impact of incidents. In order to graduate and become certified HAZMAT emergency responders qualified to respond outside of Department of Defense installations, the students start with a week of college-level chemistry classes, then slowly progress into learning the types of gear required for the job. Next, students go out into the field to conduct multiple simulated exercises.
“Each of these students, assuming they meet the requirements and graduate, will then be able to participate in their installation’s own HAZMAT program and be part of that response force,” said Tom Kircher, the CBRNE protection officer for Marine Corps Installations West, MCB Camp Pendleton.
The students conducted the final event Feb. 10 at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. The hospital has a chemical storage area used for water purification the students used to complete their last exercise and graduate as HAZMAT specialists.
Firefighters from all over Southern California participated in the training course to become certified HAZMAT technicians and specialists. During the last week, there are culminating exercises, both instructive and hands-on, where students do live exercises on targeted facilities on base.
“So far the training has been great,” said Ryan Rushing, the division chief with Camp Pendleton Fire Department. “The students are doing very well. We're happy with the instructors and the material they've provided. We're also thankful for these facilities that allow us to come out and practice here on some of the real scenarios that may happen.”
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2022 20:49 |
| Story ID: | 414808 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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