DEAR EDITOR:

As the State Fire Marshal, it is my duty to help ensure the safety and preparedness of Ohio’s first responders. I am pleased to present our newest website — a summary of available statewide hazardous materials training programs provided by the Division of State Fire Marshal, FEMA, PHMSA and other industry partners at com.ohio.gov/HazMatTraining.

Most of these training programs are provided free of charge to our dedicated first responders and are available in various formats, including in-person, online and direct delivery in local communities.

Our own nationally-ranked Ohio Fire Academy (OFA) offers a multitude of courses to assist first responders. The OFA is ready to support training initiatives by making its training facility available as needed.

They also facilitate the delivery of derailment-specific training programs, such as Rail Car Incident Response, Emergency Responder Training, and Rail HazMat training specifically tailored for first responders.

Recognizing the importance of chemical incident training, the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) offers free training for first responders, including volunteer departments.

Their focus is on hazard awareness and initial actions during chemical emergencies.

Additionally, BWC provides a wide range of safety courses and virtual trainings, including topics such as chemical safety, fire and explosion safety, emergency response guidebook, air monitoring, personnel protective equipment, decontamination and chemical and physical health hazards.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) plays a vital role in awarding grants for training public safety and emergency services personnel in the management of hazardous materials spills and releases during transportation.

They fund courses covering various levels of hazardous materials training, incident response exercises, intermodal training, rail / highway incident response training, as well as hazardous materials planning and survey studies.

Railroad companies like Norfolk Southern and CSX have been actively involved in safety training for emergency responders. Norfolk Southern’s Operational Awareness & Response (OAR) program aims to strengthen relationships with local and state agencies, provide increased training opportunities and offer better resources for emergency responders, including the AskRail mobile app.

CSX hosts a free online training program that educates emergency personnel on rail operations and safety protocols, empowering them to respond safely and effectively to incidents involving railroad property and equipment.

These are just a few of the resources available on the website and I encourage all of Ohio’s first responders to visit com.ohio.gov/HazMatTraining often as we will keep it updated with the latest offerings available.

I want to thank all of Ohio’s fire service for their dedication and commitment, and I look forward to continuing our work into the future.

KEVIN REARDON

State fire marshal

Youngstown