MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Law enforcement gathered at the Marquette Municipal Service Center today for advanced training in how to handle and mitigate hazardous materials.
The State Police Hazardous Materials Training Unit are in town conducting a hazmat responder workshop.
Local first responders are participating in a series of hazmat workshops that deal with everything from donning an advanced hazmat suit to recognizing household materials that could harm your family.
The two-day workshop is hosted by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division’s Hazardous Materials Training Unit.
“We have 15 participants here from various counties in the Upper Peninsula. They’re here to hear speakers, to share information, and also they’re going to receive training vital to their tactical roles in hazmat response,” said Lt. Eric Johnson.
This workshop will be offering over a dozen local first responders hands-on training specific to safely responding to hazardous material incidents, minimizing health and environmental hazards from spills or gas releases, as well as safely mitigating and cleaning up an incident site.
“From the U.P.’S 15 counties we have 13 emergency managers that work in coordination with police, fire, and EMS but specifically here at the technician level they’re usually with the fire departments or through private companies,” said Lt. Johnson.
Lieutenant Johnson says to never try to handle hazardous materials with your bare hands and to always call 911 if you suspect something is hazardous or toxic in your home.
