8 Mar 2023

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), is offering a new Hazmat Train-The-Trainer program: Partners in Training (PIT) Crew.

This project will help first responders gain the knowledge and skills they need to train others in their communities on hazmat safety and response.

NVFC’s Hazmat train-the-trainer program

The NVFC will provide 15 in-person training opportunities across the U.S.A.

Through the partnership, the NVFC will provide 15 in-person training opportunities across the U.S.A. (United States of America) at no cost to the fire departments.

Experienced hazmat trainers and those new to the field are welcome to participate for the training courses.

New train-the-trainer courses

The National Volunteer Fire Council is developing fifteen new Train-The-Trainer courses regarding hazmat safety and response.

The Hazmat Train-The-Trainer courses range from 3-7 hours duration and some contain a hands-on training component. These new courses include:

  • Teaching Hazmat Basics
  • Tools in Hazmat TrainingFirefighters carrying a bucket for training
  • Scenario-Based Hazmat Training
  • Risk-Based Hazmat Training
  • Understanding Regulations and Standards Affecting Hazmat Training
  • Teaching Basic Decon
  • Teaching Hazmat on a Budget
  • Teaching Cargo Tank Awareness – MC 306 & DOT 406
  • Instructor Training on Placards, Labels, and Markings
  • Instructor Training for Flammable Gases
  • Instructor Training for Flammable Liquids
  • Instructor Training for Ammonia
  • Instructor Training for Chlorine
  • Instructor Training for Methanol
  • Instructor Training for Propane

Training Application

Interested in bringing in-person training to the fire department or region? Complete the hazmat training application. Please note, in order to ensure an optimal training experience, course attendees should remember that:

  • Requests should be made at least 12 weeks (3 months) in advance of proposed training date and include a proposed training location,
  • Training must take place before September 2024,
  • Training site should be in a central location and easily accessible to students (25 students minimum),
  • Site should have classroom-style seating and audio/visual equipment,
  • Site should have hands-on-training site capabilities to conduct practical skills/drills, and
  • Hosting agency must help promote the training to ensure maximum, quality attendance.

If requesting a training with a hands-on component, please note the additional site requirements:

  • Dedicated training space suitable for the event that will not be used by any other group at the time of the course (space to conduct the training(s) – classroom(s), restrooms, practical skills area, rehab area, parking for students and instructors, etc.).
  • Appropriate hook-ups resource(s) and access for the course (i.e., water supply, hoses, access to and/or for apparatus, training props, etc.), as detailed in the course description(s).
  • Availability of an on-site point of contact who can work with the NVFC and/or instructor(s) in advance to ensure all setup needs are met.

NVFC team on-hand to help everyone

If an individual or their team has any questions about these requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).

NVFC’s goal is to work with everyone, in order to bring this training opportunity to their area. The National Volunteer Fire Council’s hazmat team will work to answer any of the questions raised by course attendees.