This month, the Kern County Fire Department hosted a Hazardous Materials Technician certification course. This is a 4-week process (160 hours) covering chemistry, chemical identification, incident planning, and field operations. Thirty of our field personnel took this training opportunity and became certified as “Hazmat Technicians,” enhancing their ability to serve the residents of Kern County. This training not only raises awareness for the safety of our firefighters but also equips them with the tools to operate safely at the scene of a hazmat incident. Given the number of major highways, railways, and manufacturing facilities throughout our county, any incident has the potential to escalate into a hazmat event. This training is crucial for maintaining the high level of service we are committed to providing for the well-being of the public.
