**TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESPONSE PERSONNEL**

This appendix covers requirements for specific activities and needs
associated with responding to spills. First, it discusses the required
training for actual or potential exposure to health hazards during
response operations according to the **Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 29 CFR Ch. XVII §1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations
and Emergency Response.**. These requirements apply to Service personnel
responding to spills, discharges, and/or participating in related NRDAR
activities. Second, it lists suggestions for training that is not
mandatory, but that would increase response capabilities and personnel
safety.

**REQUIRED TRAINING**

The following identifies and defines the training requirements for
persons potentially exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards, or
safety hazards at incident sites. Personnel fall into three different
categories:

\"**Level One\"** For general site workers that are engaged in the
removal of hazardous substances or other activities which expose them to
hazardous substances and health hazards a **MINIMUM OF 40 HOURS** of
off-site instruction is required, in addition to a **[minimum of 3
days]{.smallcaps}** field experience under direct supervision. This
class, a 40 hour training unit, is referred to as \"Hazwoper Training\"
and is offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (at no cost to
FWS) and many other nongovernment institutions. **[[This training is
required for Service personnel directly involved (on site) in discharges
and releases. All EC specialists shall have this
training.]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

**\"Level Two\"** For workers that are only occasionally on site or have
a specific limited task and are not likely to be exposed to materials
that exceed exposure limits, a **MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS** of off-site
instruction in addition to a **minimum of 1 day** of supervised field
experience is required. **[The 24 hours of training is the minimum
required for Service personnel involved in activities related to
discharges and releases.]{.smallcaps}** This class is offered by
nongovernment institutions.

**\"Level Three\"** For workers that respond to incidents for the
purpose of protecting persons, property, and natural resources, but are
not involved in direct contact with the site a **MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS**
of off-site instruction in addition to a **minimum of 1 day** of
supervised field experience is required. During most spill, there are
circumstances where a minimum of 4 hours would be appropriate. This is
due to the fact that many participants who assist during spills are
engaged in activities that constitute a low element risk to their
health. **[The 24 hours of training is the minimum required for Service
personnel involved in activities related to discharges and releases. It
is also required for those volunteers and employees of wildlife
rehabilitators working with contaminated wildlife at rehabilitation
center]{.smallcaps}** (but may be waivered on-site by state or Federal
authorities). This class is offered nongovernment institutions.

**\*NOTE:** [Any Service personnel venturing into the spill for the
purpose of monitoring, wildlife capture, sampling, etc. **[shall take
the 40 HOUR Hazwoper Training]{.underline}**. Uncertified employees are
not permitted to engage in on-site incident operations.]{.smallcaps}

**Refresher Training**

Under **section 1910.120(e)(8),** certified personnel are required to
have eight hours of refresher training annually to maintain their
certification.

**Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Aviation Management, Part 334,
Chapter 3.**

Section 3.3 of this chapter identifies \"Pinch-Hitter\" training (**8 -
12 hours**) for staff that regularly fly. This training **[[shall be
taken by all individuals]{.underline}]{.smallcaps} that have the
potential of participating in spill incidents and have the potential to
fly in aircraft.**

**Incident Command System (ICS)**

The Incident Command System National Training Curriculum modules I-200
and 300 **[[must be taken]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}** by any personnel
expected to respond/participate in a spill incident (additional training
modules are required depending on specific job responsibility - see Task
Books in Regional Offices or call the Division of Environmental
Contaminants at 703-358-2158). Basic course and schedule information is
available through the FWS Regional Fire Coordinators. Information and
schedules are also available in the FWS Homepage (under Fire Management)
on the Internet. Further assistance can be obtained from the FWS Branch
of Fire Management in Boise, Idaho at (208) 387-5598.

**NOTE:** [additional information on the ICS may be found in Appendix
C.]{.smallcaps}

**ADDITIONAL TRAINING**

(not mandatory, but highly recommended)

For FWS personnel to participate in response activities for discharge
and release incidents, supplemental training is highly recommended and
in many instances necessary. The safety of FWS personnel during response
operations and NRDAR is of the utmost importance and should always
receive the highest priority. Additional activities require special
knowledge and expertise to enable professional decisions to be made
accurately under the pressures of managing an incident. Other activities
enable personnel to gather information on the impacts of the incident on
natural resources. These activities, though not mandatory under general
training for response, require specific qualifications before personnel
are allowed to participate. Although, the following training is not
required, it is strongly recommended (Regions may have their own
requirements above and beyond FWS national policy):

**(A)** First Aid (Red Cross or similar)

**(B)** CPR (Red Cross or similar)

**(C)** Wildlife response (many types of classes available)

-Countermeasures

-Hazing

-Capture Techniques

-Husbandry

**(D)** Watercraft Safety - 241 FW 1 or (Coast Guard or equivalent)

**(E)** Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NCTC Course)

**(F)** Spill Response (NCTC course)

**(G)** Media Relations (NCTC course)

**(H)** Negotiation (NCTC courses)

These are not the only beneficial courses for enhancing spill expertise
and personal safety. If other beneficial courses are identified and/or
taken, please supply the appropriate information to the FWS National
Spill Response Coordinator, so that it may be distributed to FWS
personnel. The Division of Environmental Contaminants can assist in
locating sources for training classes.