NFPA 472 outlines the minimum competency requirements for responders to hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. Below is a list of Core Competencies that a hazmat technician course based on NFPA 472 standard should cover: • Incident Command System (ICS) for Hazardous Materials - This includes understanding the various roles and responsibilities within the ICS and how they work together to manage a hazmat incident. • Hazard Recognition and Identification - Technicians should be able to identify and classify hazardous materials using various methods, including placards, shipping papers, and physical properties. • Chemistry for Hazardous Materials Emergencies - A basic understanding of chemistry is essential for technicians to understand how hazardous materials react and behave. • Risk Assessment and Consequence Management - This includes assessing the potential hazards of a hazmat incident and developing a plan to mitigate those hazards. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection and Use - Technicians must be able to select the appropriate PPE for a given hazard and on and off it safely. • Decontamination Procedures - Technicians should be able to perform decontamination procedures on themselves, equipment, and victims. • Containment and Control Techniques - This includes techniques for containing leaks, spills, and releases of hazardous materials. • Incident Termination Procedures - Technicians should know how to safely terminate a hazmat incident and return the scene to normal. • Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Planning - This includes developing and implementing plans for responding to hazmat incidents.
