N.M. Code R. § 20.4.4.200

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024

Section 20.4.4.200 - COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

(1) All courses and the instructors of courses under this program will be sponsored by one or more of the following state agencies: Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy, University of New Mexico Emergency Medical Services Academy, Firefighters Training Academy and others deemed appropriate by the Board. The sponsoring academy will screen both courses and trainers prior to submission to the Board. Additionally, the sponsoring Academy will ensure that this program is fully complied with.

(2) OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.120 defines the minimum number of hours at the operations, technician, specialist and incident commander levels. An effective hazardous materials response is based on the competency of the responders, not the number of their training hours. Hours listed for each of the categories is a suggested minimum and courses typically are longer to accommodate the curriculum or student needs.

(3) There are five different course levels. Individuals taking Board approved courses must meet the prerequisites listed before taking a higher level course.

B. LEVEL I - FIRST RESPONDER AWARENESS:

(1) Persons trained at this level are those likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. Training must include instruction on the New Mexico Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan.

(2) Hours of attendance: Eight (8).

(3) Audience: Very broad; all who may first respond to hazardous materials incidents.

C. LEVEL II - FIRST RESPONDER OPERATIONS:

(1) Persons trained at this level are those whose duties include responding to the scene of emergencies that may involve hazardous materials. Training should contain appropriate subject matter which will allow individuals to respond safely to hazardous materials incidents as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment. Persons trained at this level will be able to respond in a defensive manner by taking appropriate actions.

(2) Hours of attendance: Twenty-four (24).

(3) Audience: Broad; all who may participate in initial operations at a hazardous materials incident.

(4) Prerequisite: Board approved Level I training.

D. LEVEL III - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN:

(1) This level of training is for personnel whose job duties require them to respond to releases or potential release of hazardous materials for the purpose of stopping the release.

(2) Hours of attendance: Eighty (80).

(3) Prerequisites: Board approved Level I and II training.

E. LEVEL IV - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPECIALISTS COURSES:

(1) This level of training is for individuals who respond to releases or potential releases to provide support to hazardous materials technicians. This training will contain appropriate subject matter which will allow the student to perform duties requiring a more direct or specific knowledge of the various substances or management techniques required during an emergency response.

(2) Hours of attendance: Varies depending on course content.

(3) Prerequisites: Board approved Levels I, II and III training.

F. LEVEL V - ON SCENE COMMANDER:

(1) This level of training is for persons whose job duties require them to assume control of the incident beyond the first responder awareness level. These courses must utilize the National Interagency Incident Management System Incident Command System to meet the executive order of the Governor of the State of New Mexico.

(2) Hours of attendance: Forty (40).

(3) Prerequisites: Board approved Levels I and II training.

N.M. Code R. § 20.4.4.200

10/15/96; 20.4.4.200 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 4.4.II.200-205, Recompiled 11/27/01