There is a full Hazmat Operational Certification Class w/ Mike Pennault scheduled to start Thursday, April 3rd. This is a 32 hour class.

The schedule is posted and can also be found online. The purpose of this class is to afford any member who has not been certified, the opportunity to become certified. Additionally, people who are already certified can refresh through this course.

We are urging all non-certified members, regardless of their division to us this opportunity to get their certification.

Recent information tells us that the basic awareness level is going to be totally eliminated and that all response personnel will be required to become operationally qualified. Next year, in order to become operationally certified, it is our understanding that the new NFPA Standard will require an approximately 60 hour amount of training to become certified. This will also require both written and practical testing.

Anyone that is presently or becomes certified with this class will only be required to do refreshers each year. In light of the fact that the 32 hour class that we are offering may significantly increase this years training matrix time, we will be reviewing members training and adjusting their matrix hours as much as reasonably possible to accommodate this class. Also, in light of the changes in hazmat matters, we are urging everyone to take as much of this class as possible in order to refresh.

Mike Pennault is an excellent instructor and you will find this an interesting class. It is doubtful that we will be offering this type of class again this year, so please make every effort to attend. There is a sign-up sheet in the radio for all classes.

Please sign up for every class you will be attending. Questions??? Contact Asst. Chief Jess McMinn