Bogalusa firefighters tackle haz-mat course

Instructors from the LSU Fire and Emergency Training Institute were in town recently to offer the Bogalusa Fire Department its annual hazardous materials refresher course.

The firefighters who attended the training are all members of the Bogalusa Emergency Response Team (BERT). Eleven  are certified haz-mat technicians, five are certified in haz-mat operation, three are certified in high angle rope rescue and confined space rescue, and two are certified in swift water rescues.

Additionally, one team member is a paramedic and one is an EMT.

All members of the team are National Fire Protection Association-certified firefighters and first responders.

This year’s haz-mat course covered how to handle different types of emergencies prompted by chlorine, a chemical commonly used to treat water, but which can take the form of a poisonous gas or can cause an explosion when in proximity to other chemicals such as ammonia.

The team spent a day working with props, brought by LSU that were designed to simulate different types of chlorine storage tanks, and “responding” to various types of potential chlorine-involved emergencies.

Members of BERT train regularly to both ensure  they are able to work effectively while wearing the cumbersome haz-mat protective attire and they know how to deal with the different types of hazardous materials emergencies. The team also handles high angle, confined space and water rescues throughout Washington Parish.