Description
Syllabus
Course Description
This awareness course is the first level of first responder certification. A first responder must be properly trained and mentally prepared when called upon to respond to a hazardous material or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incident. This course will cover the necessary basics as well as the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook. The course meets the federal regulations as set by OSHA 1910.120, NFPA 470 (2022 edition), and Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP). This course is worth 8 Missouri Bureau of EMS non-core CEUs.
Course Organization
Students have 14 days from their enrollment date to complete all required assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. After 14 days if you have not completed the course you will be considered incomplete and will not receive a certification of completion. You can re-enroll at anytime.
This course has been developed as an asynchronous (independent learning) opportunity for students wishing to enhance their fire service management and leadership skills. As such, students should acquire designated textbooks and follow the course sequence as presented on the "Modules" tab. Students starting at the top of the modules tab should complete each assignment which will be indicated by a green checkmark on the right side of their modules page. Once an assignment receives a green check mark, the student is then able to work on the next assignment on the list.
Students are encouraged to thoroughly read their textbooks and contact their instructor with any concerns or questions.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Define a hazardous materials incident. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Describe roles and responsibilities of first responders in hazardous materials incidents.
- Recognize ways that hazardous materials harm people. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- List hazardous materials regulations, definitions, and statistics.
- Restate the seven clues to the presence of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Explain how preincident plans, occupancy types, and locations may indicate the presence of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Identify basic container shapes that indicate the presence and hazards of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Describe ways that U.S. transportation placards, labels, and markings indicate the presence and hazards of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Describe ways that Canadian transportation placards, labels, and markings indicate the presence and hazards of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Describe ways that Mexican transportation placards, labels, and markings indicate the presence and hazards of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Identify other markings and colors that indicate the presence of hazardous materials. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Describe ways written resources are used to identify hazardous materials and their hazards. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Explain the limited role of the five senses for identifying hazardous materials.
- Explain the role of monitoring and detection devices for Awareness Level personnel.
- Recognize notification procedures. [NFPA 470, 5.4.1]
- Describe ways first responders use the Emergency Response Guidebook at hazardous materials incidents. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1, 5.3.1]
- Explain the role of first responders in initiating protective actions. [NFPA 1072, 4.3.1]
- Identify actions that Awareness level personnel should take when responding to terrorist incidents. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1, 5.3.1]
- Make appropriate notifications of a hazardous materials incident. [NFPA 1072, 4.4.1]
- Identify indicators and hazards present at a hazardous materials incident using approved reference sources. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1]
- Implement protective actions at a hazardous materials incident. [NFPA 470, 5.2.1, 5.3.1]
Textbook & Reading Materials
International Fire Service Training Association. (2022). Hazardous Materials for First Responder. Sixth Edition. Tulsa, OK. https://www.ifsta.org/shop/hazardous-materials-first-responders-6th-edition/36701
U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2024). Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, D.C.
Instructors
MU FRTI Instructor Cadre:
The University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute provides student support and guidance through its statewide instructor cadre. If you have any questions or comments throughout this course please contact us directly. Your questions and comments will be forwarded to an instructor assigned to address and answer any issues that arise.
Assignments
This course is reading intensive.
Activities
The activities included in this course are designed so that students may apply what they learn through their course readings and supplementary materials to their own department or response areas.
Diversity
We value the voice of every student in this course. We embrace our diversity as a group—in race, gender, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, language, ability, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic and veteran status, —is an asset, resource and strength that is critical to our learning experience. As a result, we are committed to designing inclusive lessons and assignments that encourage diverse perspectives to be recognized and respected, while providing you with the opportunity to speak and be heard, explore your own understanding, and engage with one another.
(Adapted with permission from MU Teaching for Learning Center’s Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom)
Assessment and Grading
Successful completion of a module quiz by scoring a minimum of 70% is required to unlock the subsequent module. After all module quizzes are completed, the end of course project will be unlocked.
Quizzes are automatically graded and immediately available for review.
To contest a quiz question or assignment score, email MU FRTI at frti@missouri.edu. Include the course name, the specific course element to be contested (for example quiz name, the question number) and the reason for why you contest this element (for example: how you answered the question, and why you believe the provided response was correct). Screenshots are appreciated.
Course Completion
Upon completion of the in-person and online portions of this blended course, MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute will provide the student with a course completion certificate. You must complete the Demographic Survey in order to print your Certificate of Completion. The student's successful participation will be recorded on their MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute transcript, which may be requested here.
Technical Requirements
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You can also download the Canvas Student App to access your Canvas course from your mobile device.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards breaches of the academic integrity rules as extremely serious matters.
Intellectual Pluralism
The University community welcomes intellectual diversity and respects student rights. Students who have questions or concerns regarding the atmosphere in this class (including respect for diverse opinions) may contact MU Fire and Rescue Training Director, Harry Ward by email (wardh@missouri.edu) or telephone (573-882-4735).
Executive Order No. 38 - Academic Inquiry, Course Discussion and Privacy
Faculty allowing recording:
University of Missouri System Executive Order No. 38 lays out principles regarding the sanctity of classroom discussions at the university. The policy is described fully in Section 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may make audio or video recordings of course activity unless specifically prohibited by the faculty member. However, the redistribution of audio or video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not students in the course is prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.
Accommodations
We all learn differently, and we want every student to succeed. If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need to make arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please let me know as soon as possible.
If disability-related accommodations are necessary, please notify MU Fire and Rescue Training Director, Harry Ward by email (wardh@missouri.edu) or telephone (573-882-4735) of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations.
