The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has secured a new five-year $7 million grant to continue providing first responders at or near nuclear facilities with the training they need to protect their communities.
The award, from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), represents a 30% increase over the union’s previous five-year award.
Currently, 55 nuclear facilities are operating across 28 states in the US, each posing unique challenges for first responders.
The new funding will support the IAFF’s efforts to ensure firefighters are properly trained to respond to emergencies at nuclear facilities, such as chemical releases, radiological events and other hazards tied to nuclear operations.
General President Edward Kelly said: “This grant will allow us to train even more firefighters and other first responders to effectively respond to a nuclear facility incident, protecting workers and communities across the United States.”
With the increased funding, the IAFF will expand its training, addressing the unique hazards at nuclear facilities.
Programs include advanced HazMat Technician Training on chemical and radiological threats, Confined Space Rescue, HazMat Operations fundamentals and a new Responding to Renewable Energy course.
Through these programs, the IAFF expects to train more than 4,000 fire fighters in HazMat response – doubling the number trained under the previous grant.
Kelly continued: “This funding ensures more firefighters are trained, equipped and ready to protect communities near nuclear facilities.
“It’s one more example of the IAFF’s commitment to advancing the fire service, protecting our members and keeping our communities safe.”
The news follows a recent $8 million award from the National Institutes of Health – the largest in IAFF history – to expand Hazardous Waste Worker and HazMat Disaster Preparedness training programs.
The IAFF has secured a new five-year $7 million grant to continue providing first responders at or near nuclear facilities with the training they need to protect their communities.
