Hazardous Materials Technician Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

FIRS-2450-001 Hazardous Materials Technician

Prerequisites

Course Description

This is an in-depth class in the duties, responsibilities and tactics of a hazardous materials technician. The student will study and use control techniques and equipment; address selection and use personal protective equipment (including decontamination equipment); and study and use monitoring devices that a haz-mat technician would be expected to use. Meets the curriculum of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) for Hazardous Materials Technician.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Hazardous Materials; Managing the Incident, 3^rd Edition  (ISBN 1932235043)

HazMat Tech Handout  (Printouts)

Supplies

This course requires the student to have Protective Personal Equipment that meets or exceeds (National Fire Protection Association) NFPA 1971 standards.  Information concerning sizing and rental of PPE is provided prior to classes beginning.  Students are required to wear a uniform defined in the Amarillo College Fire Training Academy Code of Conduct.

In addition, students need protective eyewear, leather work gloves and a flash drive.

Student Performance

1. Operate within the Incident Management System at a hazardous materials Emergency scene.
2. Define the various toxicological terms used in conjunction with hazardous materials response.
3. Differentiate the exposure guidelines used by governmental and industrial entities.
4. State the political ramifications experienced by communities as result of hazardous materials releases.
5. State the need for and initiate the actions associated with site control at a hazardous materials incident.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of reference materials, databases, etc. as tools for information management.
7. State the need for a hazard and risk evaluation at a hazardous material release.
8. Demonstrate competency in the selection and use of chemical protective clothing as per manufacturer’s chemical compatibility charts.
9. Select the appropriate level of respiratory protective equipment for use in various chemical environments as well as state the position OSHA takes for respiratory protection at emergency scenes.
10. Demonstrate competency in the donning and doffing of SCBA.
11. State the need for sampling procedures at hazmat releases and demonstrate competency in the use of the associated equipment necessary to complete that task in various types of situations.
12. State the benefits of utilizing neutralization techniques and demonstrate the ability to do so in the field. 
13. Demonstrate competence at plugging and patching leaking containers of hazardous materials.
14. State the need for and demonstrate ability to over pack drums, waste, etc. in a safe manner.
15. Demonstrate the ability to apply Kits A, B and C on leaking chlorine containers.
16. Demonstrate the ability to properly ground an MC306/DOT406 cargo tank and install a dome cover clamp.
17. Operate as a member of a decontamination team at an uncontrolled hazardous materials release.
18. State the need for atmospheric monitoring at hazardous materials incidents.
19. Select the proper type of atmospheric monitoring equipment for use in various types of hazardous locations.
20. Demonstrate competence in the interpretation of data from the use of atmospheric monitoring equipment including plotting the area of evacuation on a grid map using the results of CGI readings for a domestic gas line break.
21. Demonstrate field maintenance and testing procedures for various types of atmospheric monitoring equipment.
22. Demonstrate the operational capabilities and limitations of test strips used to determine the hazards associated with unknown chemicals present at hazmat scenes.
23. Identify various tank cars, cargo tanks, intermodal containers, non-bulk  packaging and facility containers and identify, by type, the materials typically found in those containers as well as the approximate capacity of each container. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

 Refer to the Amarillo College Fire Training Academy 'Code of Conduct'.

Grading Criteria

 Refer to the Amarillo College Fire Training Academy 'Code of Conduct'.

Attendance

 Refer to the Amarillo College Fire Training Academy 'Code of Conduct'.

 Attendance: The Texas Commission on Fire Protection requires 80 hours of instruction in this course prior to being allowed to sit for the State Exam. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for any circumstances.

Calendar

Additional Information

Amarillo College Fire Training Academy

Code of Conduct

You are entering into a brotherhood (sisterhood) of millions of firefighters across the world.  Local, national, and international firefighters have camaraderie second to none.  Because of trust, honor, courage, and loyalty, this group of men and women have taken on the roles of leadership and heroes in our communities.  In any type of emergency, firefighters are there to help those in need.

Amarillo College has the responsibility to provide you with the education, training and “hands on” practice to become a certified firefighter.  The instruction, equipment, facilities and apparatus are provided for your use.  Studying, practicing and learning are required by you.

As a participating student in the fire training academy, you will be expected to act, perform and train in a professional manner.  The following rules and guidelines are to be followed by everyone.

Attendance:

Students are expected to be in class for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  Due to the required number of hours that the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) has established for firefighter I and II, there is very little time for being out of class.  You will have a total of 2 days that you may miss for emergencies only.  If a student has to miss due to an unforeseeable emergency, the class hours MUST be made up at the convenience of the instructor. Appropriate documentation should be given to the lead instructor.  Many classes have to be done before you can move on to the next class.  Simply stated: DO NOT MISS CLASS.   

From time to time everyone has an emergency that causes tardiness.  When a student enters the class late, it is disruptive to the students and the instructor.  You may only be tardy 3 times during the course of the academy.  After that, disciplinary action will be taken.  Standing in the hall, sitting in your car, or playing games does not mean you are in class on time…

Uniform:

You are expected to reflect the dignity, pride and respectfulness of the fire service.  As a representative of Amarillo College’s Fire Training Academy you shall wear your uniform while in the classroom and on the training field.  The uniform will consist of black shoes and belt, dark socks, navy blue long pants and either of the two approved navy blue academy tee shirts.

There will be no caps, hats, beanies, or hoods allowed to be worn in the classroom.

Your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be worn when indicated by the instructor in charge during any training field exercises.  It is your responsibility to keep your equipment in good shape and clean.

It is not recommended that you wear your uniform or gear anywhere except in class or to and from class

Grades:

During your course of learning, you will have major tests and will be graded as follows:

1. A = 90-100
2. B = 80-90
3. C = 70-80
4. F < 70

Because of TCFP requirements, you must successfully pass each test before you are allowed to continue to the next subject area.

These tests will count as one third of your grade.

There will be a final test consisting of all inclusive subjects and will make up a third of your grade.

The remaining third of your grade will be from quizzes, work book assignments, internet assignments and skills evaluations.  Quizzes will be given nearly every class day.

Make-up tests:

There will not be any make-up test.  An alternative assignment (essays, book reports, online assignments) will be designated.  If the assignment is completed in the proper time limit then it will be graded and the most that the student will be able to make will be a 70.

Conduct:

Due to the importance of maintaining a safe atmosphere on the fire training field as well as in the classroom any disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  All students are expected to be respectful, courteous, attentive and quiet in order to support the learning environment.  Instructors and staff shall be addressed as Sir, Ma’am, Chief, Captain, etc.

Students shall refrain from the use of abusive or slanderous language.  There is to be no horseplay, fighting, harassment or misconduct by anyone.  Any student who uses, has in their possession, or is under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol on campus or at the training field will immediately be turned over to the campus police for appropriate action.  This will be a ZERO tolerance policy with immediate steps taken toward withdrawal from Amarillo College.

Anyone who is caught cheating on an exam or quiz will immediately be excused from class and not allowed to return.  This is an Amarillo College rule and will be strictly enforced.  This applies to plagiarism as well.

Electronic Devices:

All electronic devices which produce audible sounds must be silenced during class and on the training field.  All visual slides and materials are the property of the instructor and may be copyright protected, hence no photocopy is allowed.

Grievances:

Any student who feels that there is a conflict with a course instructor should first make every effort to resolve that matter with the instructor.  If you are unable to resolve differences then you should seek resolution from the immediate supervisor of the instructor or the course coordinator.

The Hazardous Materials Technician must first master all the job performance requirements and knowledge, skills and abilities pertaining to:

• Awareness Level Personnel,
• Operations Level Responders, and
• The competencies listed in the course objectives

Response options for technician level responders may include offensive actions.

Students successfully completing this course are expected to take the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Hazardous Materials Technician certification exam.