The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in collaboration with the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is pleased to announce the United States Environmental Protection Agency ‘s (EPA) “Methamphetamine Laboratory Training Program: First Responder Awareness and Operations”. This 2-day First Responder Awareness and Operations Training will provide first responders (police, fire, EMS, etc.) with a better understanding of the health risks posed by meth labs; promote awareness of the hazards; and improve local response capabilities. Using a combination of classroom presentations, practical exercises, and hands-on activities with simulated meth labs, attendees are trained to recognize and safely manage initial responses to meth labs (and their hazardous waste dump sites). Course attendees will be provided with a complete set of resources that will allow them to share their knowledge with other first responders should they choose to do so. A certificate of completion will be provided to all attendees.
This course meets the requirements of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, 1910.120, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, 311. This training program does NOT meet the requirements of HAZWOPER, CLANWOPER, or any DEA clandestine laboratory certification program.
Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
• Describe meth lab hazards and risks to first responders and the community
• Identify equipment, chemicals, and processes commonly used in meth labs
• Identify roles and responsibilities of first responders
• Develop actions and procedures to ensure responder and community safety
• Identify the need for initial scene command and control
• Describe the Incident Command System (ICS) and how it applies to meth labs
• Local meth and meth lab trends
• Meth production methods
• Meth lab hazards and identification
• Health effects on users and first responders
• First responder actions: what to do and what not to do
• Safety, isolation, and notification
• Potential funding for meth lab cleanup
• Voluntary guidelines for meth cleanup
• Agency coordination
This training class is designed for First Responders to include law enforcement, Fire Personnel, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Partial In-service Credit for law enforcement and security officers is available.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Training begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. each day.
There is no registration fee for this training.
Pre-registration is required. This training is limited to 60 participants.
Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.
Transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the participant.
