An employer must maintain a record of demonstrated competencies explaining how each competency was completed. Training records must contain dates, student rosters, curriculum outlines, demonstration checklist or performance records and evaluation tools, and scores. OSHA has defined the minimum number of hours for training at operations, technician, specialist and incident commander level. However, each employer is responsible for their employees being trained to meet the competency. The training needed to reach competency depends on the preexisting skills and experience of the trainees.
Agencies frequently discover that training needs exceed the minimum required hours by law.
On the other hand, employees of a response agency who have sufficient skills and experience may require minimal time to attain the competency level desired. An effective response is based on the competency of the responders, not the number of training hours they receive. First Responder Awareness Level Training First responders at the awareness level are those individuals who are likely to witness or discover a release of hazardous materials. An understanding of what the hazards are and their associated risks. An understanding of potential outcomes when hazardous materials are present.