This 3-day introductory course is intended primarily to
prepare individuals to effectively deliver the ERTP Air Monitoring for
Emergency Response (AMFER) course curriculum within their respective
organizations. Although the course is
intended primarily to prepare individuals to teach the AMFER course, because
all of the technical presentations are included, the course would also be
useful for students seeking to gain a fundamental understanding of air
monitoring protocols or experienced students who are seeking to refresh their
knowledge before returning to the field.
The AMFER course is designed for personnel who evaluate accidental
airborne releases of hazardous materials.
The first and second day of the course instructs
participants in the practices and procedures for monitoring airborne hazardous
materials. Evaluation of worker exposure to these releases is emphasized.
Topics covered include air monitoring programs, techniques, and equipment;
instrument calibration; instrument limitations; exposure guidelines; air
dispersion modeling; and health-and-safety considerations. The course will
include operating procedures for specific air monitoring equipment, but
students are encouraged to bring their own instruments to the course. The focus is on direct-reading instruments,
but air sample collection and field analytical instruments are
discussed.
The third day consists of classroom training that covers
adult learning theory, classroom management, exercise creation and other
material that will help the student to create, modify and present the sampling
course materials for their agency. The aim of this portion of the course is to
give the student a good grounding in how to create and conduct technical
training. It is patterned after a number of recognized adult training
methodology courses, including those used by the National Forest Service, FEMA
and the U.S. EPA.
Instructional methods include a combination of lectures,
group discussions, problem-solving sessions, and hands-on use of instruments.
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
• Define trainer qualities and behaviors that enhance the Adult Learning Process
• Develop learning objectives
• List some types of exercise and the advantages and limitations of each
• Properly use the following types of air monitoring equipment:
o Combustible gas indicators
o Oxygen monitors
o Detector tubes
o Toxic gas monitors
o Photoionization detectors
o Flame ionization detectors
• Identify the operational parameters, limitations, and data interpretation requirements for the instruments listed above, plus chemical warfare agent detectors and certain field analytical technologies.
• Identify the factors to be considered in the development of air monitoring plans.
• Discuss the use of air monitoring data for the establishment of personnel and operations health and safety requirements.
• Present the 2-day Air Monitoring for Emergency Response course
THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS,
CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants
who are confirmed to attend.*