Firefighter hazmat training

On the weekends of June 15,16, & 17, and June 22,23 & 24, the Clinton Fire Department hosted a hazardous materials operations class that was instructed by staff members from University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).  In attendance were firefighters from Clinton, Wapella, Warrensburg, Hickory Point (Forsyth), Blue Island, Leroy, and Quincy. Students were taught how to handle a hazardous materials incident should one occur in their response area.  The class was 40 hours total and students receive state certification for the training.  The pictures shown here are students performing decontamination procedures that are done after workers come in contact with a hazardous material, i.e. flammable liquids, gases, or solids. The instructors for the class were retired Mattoon Fire Chief Tim Bragg, Battalion Chief Bill Clossen of the East St. Louis fire department, retired Illinois state trooper Mike Voges, and retired Decatur police officer Matt Bryant.