For more than 10 years, the School of Environmental and Emergency Management (SEEM) has applied for and received numerous hazardous materials (hazmat) training grants from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). In 2008, SEEM received another award for $195,720, designated to train volunteer firefighters.

Jeff McGuire, director of operations, and Kevin Smith, environmental, safety and health training program manager, collaborate to submit at least one grant application each year. Money for these grants comes from fines paid by hazmat carriers and shippers.

The primary purpose of the grants is to conduct Emergency Response, Rail Response and more recently approved courses such as National Incident Management System, Intermediate Incident Command System and Advanced Incident Command System training for volunteer firefighters across Ohio.

Because first responders, such as volunteer firefighters, hold full-time jobs in addition to their volunteer duties, SEEM offers training that is structured to meet the varied schedules of these volunteers by offering courses at their home firehouses during convenient times for them, including evenings and weekends. Trainers with vast industry experience teach these volunteers and other public safety and emergency services personnel the proper techniques for the management of hazmat spills and releases that occur during transportation.

“Volunteer firefighters and other first responders not only save lives during hazardous materials incidents, but they also help protect the environment and keep workers and other individuals safe, as well,” explained Smith.

Under previous PUCO grants administered by SEEM, approximately 5,835 volunteer firefighters have been trained through approximately 372 different classes, during an estimated 530 training days, at 177 different locations across the state of Ohio.

And although SEEM trains many first responders in Ohio, approximately 80 percent of SEEM’s overall training is conducted outside of Findlay at client locations across the country. Trainers have worked with private sector groups in the U.S. and in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The private sector is a major source of funding for SEEM.

“We’re providing a needed service for the public good, and we strive to offer something a little different than what others can provide,” said McGuire. “Some companies offer canned training programs. We customize our programs and really focus on the hands-on stuff.”

On campus, SEEM was involved with developing UF’s crisis response plan and manages the campus safety and security training.

There are other benefits to having SEEM as part of the University. The school works in cooperation with academics, allowing students who are enrolled in the environmental, safety and occupational health management bachelor’s and environmental management master’s degree programs, along with other interested UF students, to take training certificate courses, making them more marketable when they graduate.

According to McGuire, many of the students who complete a certificate course are able to gain valuable real-world experience during the summer.
SEEM will continue to train individuals around the world, and with some additional funding from federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Center for Disease Control, is continuously working to develop new courses and to train the next generation of first responders.

SEEM is a leading consortium partner in the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC). The RDPC, made up of six colleges and universities across the country, is funded by DHS to develop and deliver training to rural first responders across the U.S.