2024 Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Conference Registration

Providing Hazardous Materials training and education to those who are involved in the response to emergencies involving hazardous substances.  This model for hazardous materials training is designed to protect responders, workers and the communities they serve from the impact of hazardous materials release.

 

There is no cost to attend this conference.  All training is FREE!!!

 

***Registration Check in will be located at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center***

Locations

Conference Center

Edmond Fire

Career Tech

Our Courses

Instructor Series – Modernize Your Classroom (Part 2)

We take a look at some alternate course methods using some new technology to make classes memorable.  We will explore both static and dynamic applications of technology.  From expanding Powerpoint applications to digital classroom recording and integrations.  If you are looking to make your content engaging and interactive, bring your notebook because there will be…

Lithium Ion Response Awareness

This class will introduce responders to the hazards presented by Lithium-Ion batteries.  We will present a short history on the problem, why these fires are so difficult to put out and provide tools on how to effectively and safely respond to emergencies involving Lithium-Ion batteries.  Topics covered:  Battery types and light chemistry discussion, battery platforms…

Physical and Chemical Properties for Risk Based Response

Hazards, risks and consequences during this 8 hour highly interactive class, participants will understand the significance in using physical and chemical properties to assess hazards encountered at hazardous materials incidents, apply physical and chemical properties to manage risk during hazardous materials incidents, and understand consequences of how things can go wrong on hazardous materials incidents. …

Propane 101 to Advanced Tactics

The course is designed to provide the student with the information needed to respond to liquid and vapor leaks involving bulk transportation vehicles (rail, MC331 tanker & bobtail), bulk storage (250 gallon and larger), portable tanks, common residential above and underground.  The course title, “Propane Response, 101 – to Advanced Tactics” describes the path we…

Scenario Based Training – Running Out of Ideas?

Scenario based training has become the most common way of training response teams to work together.  However, the challenges that are always present include: the same ideas, little variation, lack of realism and not setting attainable goals.  Through a series of questions and discussions the presenters will guide you through the obstacles described and help…

So You Want to be a Hazmat Medic

The purpose of the course is to apply emergency medical response to a hazardous materials incidents for Pre-Hospital Response Team by exploring the toxicology and the medical response from initial response, to the effects on body systems, injuries and treatment modalities.  The modalities used are the ones used by the Orlando Fire Department and are…

Tactical Chemistry

Tactical decisions at hazardous materials emergencies are heavily influenced by the released chemicals and their properties.  Using NFPA 470 as the framework, we will make tactical decisions at hazardous materials incidents fall into place using chemical demonstrations, scenario-based exercises, and hands-on chemical identification exercises using a variety of air-monitoring ns sample identification equipment.  We will…

Back to the Basics Air Monitoring

In this class we will discuss:

  • Basic monitoring methods including colorimetric (pH and Colorimetric Tubes), direct reading instruments (Combustible Gas Indicator, Chemical Specific, Photo Ionization Detector)
  • Advantages, use and limitations on basic monitoring method technology, approach technique, response time (Passive vs Active), observed results (chemical specific and interferences)
  • Triaging the source material
  • Interpreting the results
  • Additional consideration (Thermal imaging cameras, radiation, hierarchy of monitoring method)

 

The goal of this course is to give the participant an opportunity to troubleshoot (while incorporating the use and limitations of the monitoring methods), triage and identify if a hazardous materials condition exists or is absent, while interpreting the results.

 

CO2 Emergency Response

This discussion will go over Carbon Dioxide in a total aspect. We will begin with the physical properties of this NON-cryogenic liquified gas. We will discuss the difficulties with identification via containers and how previous knowledge may have to be revised with this product. We will then discuss what the fire code has done to address this hazard and how this can assist first responders that may need the tools on their rig to quantify the hazard. We will close out with a discussion on how to approach and address a CO2 emergency for agencies of any size.

Presentation Objectives
Learn the physical and chemical properties of Carbon Dioxide. Identify containers that may be found that will contain Carbon Dioxide. Identify options on how to respond to CO2 emergencies safely and even use CO2 for effective response.

Detection of CWAs, PBAs, TICs and TIMS with Flame Photometry

Come learn how flame photometry can be useful in detection of CWAs, PBAs, TICs and TIMS in the gas, vapor, aerosol, liquid and solid states.

Devil in the Detail

It is often the small details which can make incidents difficult or challenging. These details can

prolong an operation or foil an otherwise straightforward response. In this course we will

identify commonly confused information and other simple errors that can have costly

consequences.

 

First on Scene to a Propane Incident & Have Nothing to Work With

As a firefighter you have the potential to be dispatched to something new or a call you don’t have specialized equipment for. What happens when you’re the first department on scene to at a propane incident and have nothing to work with. This program with discuss tactical options for just such an incident. You have more than you think would be my guess. We will look at evacuations, vapor management, management of heat sources allowing a tank to cool or manage how much it warms up.  We’ll discuss the why, where, and how to correctly apply water. We will discuss freeze patching and the challenges of making it work well. We’ll look at past incidents and to see what happened and what we can learn from them and much more. One of your best tools is sitting on your shoulders, let’s put some more fuel for thought in it.

Hold My Matches and Watch This

Hold your matches and watch this!  A highly interactive demonstration of the physical and chemical properties of flammable liquids and flammable gasses.  During these sessions, participant will witness flash point, flammable range, vapor pressure, boiling point and vapor density.  Additionally, we will be demonstrating the dynamic tendencies of flammable vapors when they encounter oxygen and ignition sources to create the “Boom” that tends to surprise us if we don’t fully understand the hazards of our response situation.

Hydration, You’re Either a Hero or a Hemorrhoid

This session focuses on the health and safety of emergency crews when operating in hot environments. The temperatures can be anywhere from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 120, the issues are the same.

With so much attention on firefighter health and wellbeing there has been a lot of effort on reducing the exposure to toxic materials at emergency incidents. Whether the scene is a hazardous materials event, or a residential fire, repeated exposure to toxins can cause long term diseases such as cancer. This presentation will focus on the need for proper hydration in the detoxification process as well as the importance of maintaining hydration to prevent after incident heart attacks and strokes.

In this session we will explore why the sauna is NOT an option for “sweating it out”, investigate hydration drinks and powders, talk about the sweating process, and how these issues influence the health and wellbeing of the first responder

Large Scale Flammable & Combustible Liquid Fires

In this hazmat session, the student will increase their understanding of various firefighting and hazmat response tactics when dealing with Flammable & Combustible Liquids. This will include an overview of Incident Command Strategies for Flammable Liquid Hazardous Materials events, the use of firefighting foam and preparation for emergency incidents in the areas of residential, transportation, industrial and commercial firefighting.

This program will cover the basics regarding emergency response techniques, spill response operations, dealing with control valve leaks and shutoffs, as well as foam proportioning devices and application techniques. We will also discuss new hybrid technical decon methods for dealing with flammable liquid events. We will review the various challenges in fighting all types of fires and hazmat spills from railcars, tanker trucks, combustible storage tank facilities, and manufacturing process areas.

Modular Metering

Metering can be confusing, but we have a knack for detangling the mess.  We will explain it simply and have member leave with a full understand of how and why metering is done.  In this conference length prese4ntation on metering, we will review the metering technologies of electrochemical, catalytic bead, photoionization detection.  Come check out the short version of our full day course.

Moving From HAZMAT TECH to HAZMAT Specialist in WMD Incidents

Purpose: This instruction block is formatted to assist the first-in fire service officer, law enforcement agency, or emergency manager in understanding how to leverage domestic military support assets during WMD, illicit clandestine laboratory, or significant industrial hazmat disasters. The course aims to break the stigma of requesting domestic military support and enhance the local incident commander’s ability to make the right calls, at the right time.

Scope: The course will cover pertinent information to include considerations during scene size-up to help determine the need or utility of requesting military assets, what assets are available to an IC once the request is made, what to expect upon arrival of the asset/s, and the proper channels for requesting these assets. This class will include a review of multiple cases when military hazardous materials technicians were used to quickly identify hazards, advise and assist the incident commander in bridging the gap between local, state, and federal assets, and assess risk to the community

Chemical and Physical Properties

Abstract:
We take a very different look at the basis for all of our operations. Chemical and
physical properties. Seemingly basic and fundamental, we go beyond where the
instructors stop and explain how and why they matter. We will take a look at them from
multiple different perspectives and see how they all correlate with tactical advantages.
Objective:
Have a deeper understanding of the Chemical and Physical properties and:
 Our ability to modify scenes to suit our needs
 Explore a completely different way to imagine a scene
 Understanding on how to take control of the incident

Downrange Objectives: Tactical Incident Command Strategies for Hazmat Events

It is vital on every hazardous materials emergency scene, we have a system in place to ensure that all downrange – fireground tasks are completed, to safely and effectively mitigate any hazardous material and its effects.
Incident Command is the standardized structure that allows for a cooperative response within various groups or agencies to coordinate response activities, without compromising any decision making or safety. Focusing on a risk-based response through the chain of command, and utilizing tactical checklists as an Incident Action Plan in a way to identify roles, and tasks to ensure scene objectives are met. This roundtable group session will identify how to better assess the situation through scene size-up, with objectives including product identification, the use of chemical detection monitors, choice of personal protective equipment along with on-scene decontamination strategies and procedures.
We will discuss the importance of having a Hazmat Safety Officer; and tactical priorities to make key decisions on-scene, such as rescue, recovery or spill response mitigation issues to consider. We will also review radio communication benchmarks for product related actions for fires or spills, life protection strategies for public safety and assistance requests for local mutual aid agencies.

Emerging Technology for Hazmat Teams

During this presentation, we will discuss current and emerging technologies within the world of hazmat. From the lessons Chris has learned working with his 60-member team in Washington State, he will discuss the basic history of his team in relation to training and equipment. We will then move on to some new technologies that have been recently available and emerging training formats that have grown in the past few years. We will then go over an analysis that your team may need and, more importantly, what they may NOT need. This will be based on an appropriate hazard risk and vulnerability assessment.

Hazmat with Intent: Terrorism & WMD Response Tactics

My session will include specific highlighted learning objectives, identify key speaking topics in the areas of Terrorism Response Procedures, CBRNE & Weapons of Mass Destruction Chemical Detection & Mitigation Equipment, which will also include an interactive group participation module. All participants will be provided handouts of my powerpoint, including various tactical worksheets to use during our group mock table-top exercise.

 

Curriculum Overview of Training Session:

  • Review of Domestic & International Terrorism Events in North America
  • Review and Discussion of Incident Command Systems for CBRNE & WMD Events
  • Understanding the Use of a Tactical Hazmat Worksheet to Manage the Incident
  • Mitigation Response Strategies for Bomb Threats, Chemical & Nuclear Attacks
  • Joint Response Team Initiatives for Fire, Police and Paramedics
  • Review of Tactics (Accountability and Entry Control, RECCE, Decon Techniques, Extraction, FTT, IC & Emergency Management Operations)
  • Group Case Study Discussions: Do we perform a snatch and grab rescue; or do we isolate the area to mitigate the hazardous material?
  • Hazmat and CBRNE Communication Benchmarks, Assigned Tasks (Command, RECCE in Hot Zone, PAR status, Decon Setup, Emergency Decon Established, FTT)

Practical Table Top Scenarios, Group Discussion & Group Questions

Initial Monitoring for First Arriving Hazmat Responders

This course examines the strengths and weaknesses of standard 4 gas instruments that are carried by many hazmat teams and first arriving fire apparatus. In today’s world critical decision making is predicated on not only using instrumentation but using it correctly. This class goes into essential decision making when using a 4 gas instrument for qualitative and quantitative monitoring at hazardous materials incidents. Participants will understand the following concepts.

T-90 time and its relevance to accuracy

Correction factors and when to apply.

Common mistakes using air monitoring equipment.

Lithium Ion Fire Investigation

With this presentation, we will go over the code challenges to fire inspectors and firefighters in relation to Lithium-Ion battery storage in various occupancies. Chris will go over the updates to the International Fire Code, and what it means to fire investigators. We will also discuss what firefighters and hazmat technicians need to know to spread the message to the public and other agencies to ensure a full collaborative effort is made for DDR (Damaged, Defected, Recycled) batteries from inception to use to disposal/damage, and disposal.

Moving From HAZMAT TECH to HAZMAT Specialist in WMD Incidents

Purpose: This instruction block is formatted to assist the first-in fire service officer, law enforcement agency, or emergency manager in understanding how to leverage domestic military support assets during WMD, illicit clandestine laboratory, or significant industrial hazmat disasters. The course aims to break the stigma of requesting domestic military support and enhance the local incident commander’s ability to make the right calls, at the right time.

Scope: The course will cover pertinent information to include considerations during scene size-up to help determine the need or utility of requesting military assets, what assets are available to an IC once the request is made, what to expect upon arrival of the asset/s, and the proper channels for requesting these assets. This class will include a review of multiple cases when military hazardous materials technicians were used to quickly identify hazards, advise and assist the incident commander in bridging the gap between local, state, and federal assets, and assess risk to the community

Product Sampling

The hazardous materials product sampling class will be a scenario based training session designed to guide the student through the process of testing samples utilizing multiple technologies and methods.

Responding to an H2S Oil & Gas Emergency

This presentation will focus on what first responders need to know when responding to an oil and gas location involving H2S.

  • We will discuss the various oil & gas locations and the differences
  • How to identify and know what hazards may be present on certain locations
  • Discuss the possibility of dealing with a well control incident in addition to an H2S release
  • Case Studies – review and discuss incidents involving H2S from the Permian Basin as well as a well blowout incident in eastern Oklahoma

Responding to Railroad Incidents-Hazmat Isn’t Always the Problem

The railroads move many different products each and every day which include hazardous materials. But every incident that occurs that requires a response does not. This program explores and shows through case study’s that the incidents that involve non-Haz Mats can be just as challenging. The program will discuss the environmental impacts and the decisions that must be to mitigate the incident safely. Sometimes thinking outside the box to mitigate an incident Is a good thing!

Clean and Mean: Hazmat Decon Unleashed

The course provides an overview of hazardous materials decontamination procedures and protocols. Students will learn the principles of decontamination, including identifying and containing hazardous materials, implementing decontamination procedures and ensuring the safety of individual and the environment. Topics covered include decontamination equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination methods and decontamination site management.

Curbside Chemist

Curbside Chemist is an 8-hour class that focuses on the classification of an unknown product using chemical test strips and other items that can be found around the fire station. Participants will be instructed in the use of chemical test strips to identify an unknow sample. Participants will have the opportunity to use these techniques in the classification of several unknow products. The course will also demonstrate advanced sampling techniques using FTIR and RAMAN technologies in conjunction with test strips.

Deficiencies in Hazmat

Deficiencies in hazmat education requires ongoing efforts to improve curriculum standards, enhance practical training opportunities, allocate sufficient resources, stay updated on emerging hazards, and provide holistic support for hazmat responders. Collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and professional associations is essential to drive these improvements and ensure the effectiveness of hazmat education programs.

HTAC – Hazmat Tactical Analysis Cards, Using the Science, Not the Fear in Hazmat Response

This course is designed to prepare local emergency responders to systematically organize and operate during hazardous materials situations.  This one-day course uses a systematic algorithm to disseminate chemical properties using the NIOSH Pocket Guide, Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) and many other chemical resources that may be used during a hazardous materials incident. With these skills it will make the emergency responder aware of the significant decision-making points responders will need for critical thinking for site safety for emergency responders and the public. The student will learn to develop incident action plans, tactical objectives, and determine safe operations by interpreting chemical properties found in the NIOSH Pocket Guide or any other chemical property reference material. This course will aid in improving plans for emergency response operations throughout incident response.  In addition, this course will assist in devising a system for operational planning to support decision-making skills in the early hours of a hazardous materials incident.

Navigating a Statewide Foam Task Force

We will examine the framework within which New York State assembled its taskforce, highlighting key stakeholders, legislative mandates, and operational protocols. We will discuss the hurdles encountered along the way, including budget constraints, and stakeholder resistance, and explore the strategies employed to overcome these obstacles.

Additionally, with the growing call to transition to fluorine-free foam solutions, this course will delve into New York State’s approach to embracing innovative alternatives. We will discuss the evaluation criteria for alternative foams, the process of implementation, and the ongoing monitoring and adaptation required to ensure effective firefighting capabilities while minimizing environmental impact.

On-Scene Risk Management

We always try to plan our responses but often we forget about Mr. Murphy. Risk Management is more than just coming up with SOPs and SOGs. This guided discussion will look at various scenarios and real life incidents, where despite our best plans, we had to adapt for the safety of our responders while still meeting the needs of the IC. It will be a chance for participants from various backgrounds to discuss how they might attempt mitigation and to learn from each other.

Static Electricity “Common Problem” and “Uncommon Knowledge”

We always try to plan our responses but often we forget about Mr. Murphy. Risk Management is more than just coming up with SOPs and SOGs. This guided discussion will look at various scenarios and real life incidents, where despite our best plans, we had to adapt for the safety of our responders while still meeting the needs of the IC. It will be a chance for participants from various backgrounds to discuss how they might attempt mitigation and to learn from each other.