MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Suit up, get down range, assess the situation, decide what tools to use on site, control contamination while fully encapsulated in a “Level A” hazardous material suit with a limited amount of air and an alarm that goes off after every 12 seconds of non-movement, come back and go through multiple level decontamination. You have 45 minutes; go!
A Marine must be able to do all of these things and be as proficient at these skills as to instruct others on how to accomplish the same mission as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear instructor.
While most Marines associate the CBRN job field with running the gas chamber for annual training, CBRN units do more than that, explained Sgt. Joshua M. Duncan, the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar CBRN school non-commissioned officer in charge and a Sacramento, Calif., native.
CBRN defense specialists go through a five-month training school where they learn hazardous material detection, containment and decontamination. This involves learning wind patterns that show where hazardous gases and vapors can range, different types of hazards, and practice for multiple types of scenarios they may come across.
Marines in CBRN units train to fix and seal leaks in 50 gallon drums, patch holes and punctures in propane tanks and stop leaks of various chemicals.
“We have tools and gaskets for almost any kind of leak or hole you can imagine,” said Lance Cpl. Michael F. Madriz, a CBRN instructor with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 and a San Francisco native. “We train with a lot of different types of hazard scenarios to be prepared for anything that may happen. We even teach local firefighters different hazmat containment safety, which they use out in the community.”
CBRN instructors teach three qualification courses: hazmat awareness, hazmat operations and hazmat technician.
The awareness course teaches recognition of possible hazards students may come across and proper procedures and authorities to call in a particular situation.
Most fire departments are qualified in hazmat operations, the second instruction level. This is general knowledge of what to do and how to handle different scenarios.
The highest level of qualification taught by CBRN instructors is hazmat technician. This class requires students to pass a timed test where they must wear full gear and complete a hazardous materials spill scenario.
“There are four levels of hazmat protection that we wear during these kinds of scenarios,” said Duncan. “Level A: fully encompassed, best splash and gas protection, Level B: air tank is not encompassed, allowing for an [air tank switch],” Level C: used when there is a known hazard and Level D: regular clothing.”
Every hazardous situation calls for different requirements in the protection and safety of those involved. It is the job of a CBRN Marine to be prepared to face and eliminate the risks at a moment’s notice, and to instruct others on how to do so.