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Members of the Coolville Volunteer Fire Department had a chance to go back to school over the weekend, and they brought a few other local departments along with them. Coolville VFD was one of only 15 sites across the country chosen to receive free hazmat training under the Partner in Training Crew program from the National Volunteer Fire Council and U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Fortunately, they were also allowed to play host to Tuppers Plains, Scipio, Pomeroy, Columbia, Carthage Township, Rome Township, Dunham Township, Glouster and Belpre fire departments for the experience.
"Proper hazmat training is essential to keeping both first responders and community members safe," said Coolville VFD Chief Jeremy Holland. "Thanks to this new program from the NVFC and PHMSA, responders can now take an active role in helping their department and community be prepared and safe in the event of a hazmat incident."
What a wonderful opportunity for local first responders to upgrade their skills.
"Some of these guys learned that just because you put a fire out on an electric vehicle doesn't mean it's out," Holland said. "You could put it out, and because a damaged ion battery still holds heat, it could catch fire again after the tow truck picks it up. So it's important to remove the battery in that situation."
That's just a sampling of what was taught in courses ranging from hazmat basics to dealing with specific substances such as methanol or vinyl chloride. And, because of the PIT Crew training, those in attendance are now equipped to teach others.
Residents all over the region can feel safer knowing such lessons have been taught. Those who attended the training can, too.