LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 26, 2004) – Knowing how to identify and work around hazardous materials is important in many areas of life – the home, the workplace, and the classroom.
The Kentucky Fire Commission now offers training and certification in both operations and awareness of hazardous materials.
“Our training classes are open to all interested persons,” said Steve Calhoun, division director of state fire/rescue training. “Certification in all areas of safe practices would be particularly useful in industry.”
The Fire Commission frequently receives requests from small business and industry to conduct training sessions for employees. “We build our classes around their work needs,” Calhoun said.
“Students who are pursuing a career in industry might consider certification in this area,” he said.
Deborah Dobson, director of human resources at DJ Nypro in Hazard, said that when she reviews job applications she looks first for years of education completed and then for experience in industry. After that she looks for any additional training.
“When we hire persons who are certified and/or trained in other areas, we try to put them in a position where they can best use their talents,” Dobson said. “For example, a person certified in hazard waste awareness could become a member of our safety committee.”
In addition to the hazard materials operations and awareness training, Kentucky firefighters have six new levels of training that will assist them in serving their communities.
The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) recently accredited the certification process for these eight groups. They include:
The State Fire Commission/Fire Rescue Training, a division of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, offers Fire/Rescue Training classes throughout the state.
The classes are designed to meet the training needs of fire/rescue and other emergency service personnel and to provide health and safety training programs for industries, institutions, and government agencies.
In 2002/03, KCTCS colleges conducted fire and rescue training programs that enrolled more than 78,000 people. In some cases, participants were enrolled in more than one training session during the academic year.
For further information concerning fire/rescue training opportunities visit the web site http://www.kctcs.edu/kyfirecommission/index.htm or call 859-246-3475.
KCTCS colleges change lives by providing academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information visit www.kctcs.edu