CBRN / HazMat Training Blog

Army hazmat training: An overview of safety certifications

Written by Steven Pike on 17 May 2023

Army hazmat training plays an important role in preparing key personnel for the safe transport of hazardous materials. 

As part of its national defense mission, the US military makes use of a wide range of hazardous substances. These can include petroleum products, chemicals, explosives and solvents - all of which can pose a physical risk if handled improperly.

In this blog post we explore the process by which substances are classified as hazardous and ways in which hands-on army hazmat training scenarios can enhance theoretical understanding of safe handling.

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A Guide to the Five Levels of HazMat Response

Written by Bryan W Sommers - SGM U.S. Army, Ret. on 28 October 2022

HazMat training is essential when responding to hazardous materials which have been mishandled, incorrectly transported, or used with malicious intent, as they can pose a substantial risk to human health and the environment.

How effectively these incidents are managed and resolved hinges on the knowledge, training, and skill of those charged with the response.

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How to Create Realistic HazMat First Responder Training Scenarios

Written by Steven Pike on 02 August 2022

The term ‘major incident’ is a broad one and is widely ascribed to any event where there is a loss of life, a serious injury or substantial damage to property or the environment.

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Army CBRNe Training: How To Prepare for Major Chemical Weapons Events

Written by Steven Pike on 05 May 2022


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Educating HazMat First Responders: Carbon Dioxide Incident

Written by Steven Pike on 06 April 2022



While carbon dioxide (CO2) incidents are relatively uncommon, especially compared to their carbon monoxide counterparts, they can prove lethal in the wrong circumstances. 

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7 Most Effective Radiation Hazards Simulators

Written by Steven Pike on 04 March 2022

When planning a radiation hazard training scenario, instructors have traditionally opted for real sources in order to enable students practice with the instruments they will actually use. While this is certainly effective for training, it does pose significant disadvantages. Cost, regulatory requirements, procurement, end of life disposal , and time constraints will all need to be considered when organising training utilising real sources.

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5 Ways Index Cards May Be Inhibiting Your First Responder Training

Written by Bryan W Sommers - SGM U.S. Army, Ret. on 25 February 2022

If you’re a first responder, you have probably undergone training with index cards at some point in your career. This tried-and-tested method helps trainers provide information to downrange operators that should initiate a response or action from those operators. 

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Training for the "unknowns" of hazardous materials response

Written by Bryan W Sommers - SGM U.S. Army, Ret. on 16 March 2021

The New York City Fire Department‘s dedicated HazMat unit, HazMat Company 1, is responsible for attending a vast array of major emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and terrorism-related disasters citywide.

Supporting the team in their efforts is a select group of FDNY EMS units known as Hazardous Material Tactical Units, whose members are trained to provide emergency medical care and decontamination within hazardous environments.

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How COVID-19 is reshaping the approach to emergency response training

Written by Bryan W Sommers - SGM U.S. Army, Ret. on 05 January 2021

Realistic hands-on training is perhaps one of the most proactive steps that can ensure emergency response personnel are equipped to counter the challenges of hazardous materials and CBRN incidents.

The events of the past twelve months however have been quite unlike anything ever experienced before, with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic placing unprecedented pressure on training budgets and on the way in which programs of instruction are delivered.

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How new technology is improving first responder safety

Written by Steven Pike on 08 January 2020

When the pressure is on to make quick decisions in emergency response situations, the value of practical personal experience is something that can never be underestimated.

But while the "human factor" remains an inestimable force, it is also essential that first responders have access to the appropriate technological support to enable them to work safely and effectively in the field.

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