The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) will be able to train nearly 1,700 additional firefighters in hazardous material response.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) awarded the IAFF a $2 million grant to bolster its hazardous material training programs.
The IAFF’s HazMat training program equips firefighters with the skills needed to safely handle hazardous material emergencies across the country.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly stated: “Firefighters are often first on the scene of hazardous material emergencies across the country.
Proper training allows our firefighters to better protect their communities by learning how to safely minimize and eliminate HazMat exposures.”
The funding awarded to the IAFF is part of a larger federal effort led by the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) and PHMSA to reduce hazardous material exposures.
The DOT has committed more than $40 million in new grants to states, tribes, non-profits, and unions to enhance hazardous material safety initiatives.
The IAFF’s HazMat training program is one of the many recipients, which will contribute to the nationwide increase in safety preparedness among first responders.
The IAFF had previously been limited in its ability to meet training demand, only providing HazMat response training to about 350 firefighters in 2023.
The new funding will allow the IAFF to increase this number significantly, surpassing 2,000 trained firefighters in the near future.
The IAFF delivers hands-on training through its participation in the DOT’s Supplemental Public Sector Training grant program.
The program’s goal is to ensure firefighters are fully prepared for hazardous material incidents.
IAFF Assistant to the General President of Training, Education, and Grants, Dr. Joshua Smith, commented on the impact of this funding: “This funding will allow us to reach thousands of firefighters, providing them with cutting-edge training that directly enhances their ability to protect their communities.”
The IAFF’s program offers 10 specialized courses taught by highly trained instructors who bring real-world experience into the classroom, allowing firefighters to practice scenarios they are likely to encounter on the job.
One of the key goals of the expanded training is to help standardize hazardous material response protocols across city, county, and state lines.
The training is especially valuable in large-scale emergencies where multiple departments must coordinate effectively.
With the increased funding, the IAFF will be better equipped to streamline response procedures across different jurisdictions.
This will be crucial in situations where departments must respond together to incidents involving hazardous materials.
General President Kelly expressed appreciation for the DOT’s continued support: “The IAFF appreciates the DOT’s commitment to increasing the number of HazMat-trained firefighters, and the administration’s continued investment in training that saves lives.”
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) will be able to train nearly 1,700 additional firefighters in hazardous material response with the help of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
The grant is part of a broader $40 million initiative aimed at improving hazardous material safety across the United States.
The IAFF’s expanded HazMat training will help standardize response protocols and ensure that firefighters are better prepared to handle hazardous material emergencies.
The IAFF plans to surpass 2,000 trained firefighters with this funding.
