Special Operations

Special operations training covers all of the specialized skills required of fire-rescue personnel (excluding EMS). MFT&E's special ops training covers response to: incidents involving hazardous materials, confined-space entrapment, rescue by rope, high-angle rescue, incidents involving potential terrorism, and motor vehicle extrication. The training provided in our is compliant with OSHA and EPA rules and regulations, and NFPA standards where applicable.

The courses are taught by be highly trained, experienced, certified instructors. MFT&E is able to provide this training to municipal agencies, as well as the private sector. The training for haz-mat and confined-space is standardized to meet compliance requirements. The terrorism response courses are National Fire Academy programs. The rope rescue and motor vehicle extrication courses closely follow NFPA requirements. All other training is customized to meet the customer's specific needs.

Hazardous Materials Training

The federal government, acting principally through OSHA and the EPA, mandates specific levels of training for individuals responding to incidents involving regulated hazardous materials. There are three levels of training that affect most emergency response agencies. MFT&E provides training for all three levels-awareness, operations, and technician. Note that federal regulations require refresher training in the subject area be completed on a yearly basis. MFT&E can also provide refresher training as needed.

HM Awareness-level

This course provides emergency responders (and other public sector employees) with the basic knowledge essential to a safe response by stressing hazard recognition. This is entry-level training that must be completed by all who respond to known or potential releases of hazardous substances. Courses are available through your county emergency management agency.

HM Operations-level

This course provides emergency responders with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage on-scene operations involving hazardous materials primarily through defensive measures. This training must be completed by all who respond to known or potential releases of hazardous substances and initiate defensive measures or take command. The course focuses on protecting persons, property, and the environment from the effects of the release. Activities include incident analysis, risk assessment, personal protection, decontamination methods, and defensive tactical operations. Pre-requisites and requirements: HM Awareness-level, SCBA training, and compliance with respiratory protection rules.

HM Technical-level

This course provides responders with knowledge and skills necessary to manage, control, and mitigate emergencies involving hazardous materials. The focus is on protecting persons, property, and the environment from the effects of the release. Activities include incident analysis, risk assessment, personal protection, decontamination methods, and tactical operations of an offensive nature. Pre-requisites and requirements:: HM Operations-level, SCBA training, and compliance with respiratory protection rules.

Anti-Terrorism Training Modules

The curriculum used in this program is from the National Fire Academy: Emergency Response to Terrorism (ERT) series.

ERT: Self-Study

This self-pace, self-study course provides the basic awareness-level training to prepare first responders to safely and effectively respond to incidents of terrorism. This course is a pre-requisite for all other ERT courses.

ERT: Basic Concepts

This operations-level course prepares first responders for terrorism related incidents. Course objectives include life safety-preservation from biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive attacks (B-NICE). Also included is an introduction to detection and monitoring. Pre-requisite: ERT: Self-Study.

ERT: Tactical Considerations-Company Officer

This course supplies the responding officer with the strategic and tactical tools to recognize a hostile act, minimize losses, identify self-protection measures, establish command, and manage the operations at an incident. Recommended pre-requisite: ERT: Basic Concepts.

ERT: Tactical Considerations-Haz-Mat

Course focuses on security considerations, signs of terrorism, unusual circumstances, assessing conditions, and strategies for survival. Applications involving B-NICE events include: evidence preservation, site safety, mitigation, documentation, and debriefing personnel. Recommended pre-requisites: ERT: Basic Concepts and HM Operations-level training.