Captain Jeff Zientek shared with us how the HazSim training improves response times and decision making. Here’s what Jeff had to say:
HazMat training at Phoenix Fire Department is robust. Every single Monday of the year we train on all aspects of HazMat. PFD has 200 HazMat techs, and we work as a training partner with more than 500 additional techs in surrounding departments. Our collective agencies canvas a central hub of transportation, industry and economy where gas, chemical, radiation and weapons of mass destruction are all subjects of study.
As a Captain, I am responsible for the safety of my crew. Our training scenarios are no different. In the past, field trainings exposed students to unnecessary gases, chemicals and radiation. Aside from creating unsafe training environments, we broke expensive meters and used less-than-effective methods such as scribbling on cue cards to change scenarios. In addition, with so many people in the field, there was no real way to collect data. This was not only frustrating, but we were cheating ourselves because that’s not the way it goes in real life. With such a high demand for HazMat training, it was essential for our training scenarios to closely mimic “real” scenarios without breaking expensive equipment or, more importantly, exposing my crew to harmful gasses or radiation. This is why we use the HazSim Pro.
The HazSim HazMat Training Simulation System is a versatile training tool that allows our trainees to experience engaging and realistic scenarios and gives our instructors the ability to customize, engage and take the field data back to the classroom to learn some more. Other gas trainers don’t have those features. Because it can actively show readings, the lead trainer can change those readings during the training scenario. Data is collected by the software to bring back to the classroom for full evaluation of the trainees. The data will show how the trainees reacted, interpret the readings concerning the hazards around them, and set ‘hot zones’. No more cue cards. No more exposures. No more broken meters. The HazSim Pro is fully customizable and allows us to go beyond our ‘bread and butter 5 gas meter’ to include exotic chemicals, radiation and so much more.
The proof of the HazSim is in the training feedback. Ratings across the board show that using the HazSim made significant improvements in faster response times and more effective decision making during our weekly scenarios and drills. The bonus? I keep my crew safe. Thank you, HazSim!
