Attention Monroe County Resident
When the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in the Northern Gulf of Mexico threatened the Florida Keys, literally thousands of local residents called numerous organizations to volunteer to help defend our fragile environment. Most of these potential volunteers were disappointed to learn that since they had no hazardous material (HAZMAT) training, they would not be able to help. That training eventually became available in several forms but was usually costly and/or limited to a small number of participants. Of the many lessons learned during DWH, one was that maritime communities should make this needed HAZMAT training available to all in advance of a need and at no cost to interested citizens.
As a result, the US Coast Guard, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Monroe County Department of Emergency Management, all members of the Florida Keys Area committee, have teamed to fulfill this important need.
The first of three scheduled HAZardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response classes (HAZWOPER) in Monroe County will be: Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center at the Marathon Regional Government Center at 2798 Overseas Highway in Marathon from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
The next scheduled class will be: Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the Murray Nelson Government and Cultural Center in Key Largo from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
The third scheduled class will be: Saturday, August 18, 2012 at the Harvey Government Center in Key West from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
A certificate of completion will be awarded at the end of the class. Completion of the course and maintaining this certification is the minimal safety standard required for volunteers to assist during an incident. Monroe County Emergency Operations Center will manage the list of trained volunteers for future use as needed.
HAZWOPER introduces the participants to methods of identifying various hazardous substances and the risks associated with them, the potential outcomes associated with a hazardous materials spill or release, and understanding your role as a volunteer during an oil spill. Participants will also learn basic hazard risk assessment techniques, learn the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protection equipment and clothing, understand basic oil spill hazardous substance terminology, learn basic protection and decontamination procedures and more. The instructors for these classes are members of the USCG Auxiliary that are USCG certified in Emergency Response FRA/FRO HAZWOPER.
If you are interested in this training and would like to register for one of these classes, you can call toll free 1-888-470-5566 ext. 4. Leave contact information and your call will be returned. You can also email [email protected] and send names of those interested to attend and all contact information.
On behalf to the USCG Auxiliary, I thank you for your consideration of the above. If you have questions, please call me anytime.
Phil Goodman
USCG Auxiliary
Cellular Phone: 305-600-8441