Introduction

The NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Awareness course is designed to provide emergency responders, firefighters, industrial emergency response personnel, security personnel, and other first responders with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to recognize hazardous materials incidents and protect themselves and others from potential hazards.

Based on the requirements of NFPA 470: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Responders (2022 Edition), this course introduces participants to hazardous materials recognition, hazard identification systems, risk assessment principles, emergency response procedures, and protective actions.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will have gained the competencies expected of a Hazardous Materials Awareness-Level Responder and will be better prepared to recognize hazardous materials incidents and protect life, property, and the environment.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Hazardous Materials
Module 2: Hazard Recognition and Identification
Module 3: Hazard Classification Systems
Module 4: Properties and Behavior of Hazardous Materials
Module 5: Hazard and Risk Assessment
Module 6: Personal Safety and Protective Actions
Module 7: Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
Module 8: Incident Recognition and Notification
Module 9: Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness
Module 10: Hazardous Materials Incident Response Support

Practical Skills

Hazard Recognition Exercises
Placard and Container Identification
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Interpretation
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Exercises
Hazard Classification Activities
Incident Size-Up Scenarios
Isolation and Protective Action Exercises
Incident Notification Procedures
WMD Awareness Scenarios
Hazardous Materials Case Studies

Learning Outcomes

Recognize the presence of hazardous materials.
Identify hazardous materials using available reference sources.
Interpret hazard communication systems and warning markings.
Utilize the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
Recognize health, fire, explosion, and environmental hazards.
Identify appropriate protective actions for hazardous materials incidents.
Initiate emergency notification procedures.
Support hazardous materials response operations at the Awareness Level.
Recognize potential Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents.
Operate safely within Awareness Level responsibilities.

Assessment

Written Examination
Practical Skills Evaluation
Scenario-Based Exercises

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course and meet the assessment requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion in NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Awareness. The certificate confirms successful participation in training aligned with the knowledge and skills requirements of NFPA 470: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Responders (2022 Edition) – Awareness Level.