Hazardous Materials Course
The National Burn Victim Foundation is conducting a nine-week course on the transportation and handling of hazardous materials.
Response to the course by fire fighters, police, insurance safety representatives, truckers and medical emergency personnel has been good according to course coordinator, Deputy Fire Chief Robert P. Horner III of the Plainfield, N. J., Fire Department.
“Twenty-four communities have been represented so far,” said Horner, “and we are getting a message. The message is that the majority of communities represented indicated that local governments have not addressed the potential of a hazardous materials incident in their areas.”
NBVF chairman, Harry J. Gaynor, said: “The chemical industry and truckers are generally extremely safety conscious when it comes to transporting and handling hazardous materials. However, an ever-increasing volume, human error, weather conditions, vehicle flaws or mechanical failure, all present the potential of a dangerous hazardous materials incident in New Jersey.”
Gaynor continued: “The National Burn Victim Foundation is proposing legislation that could significantly reduce some of the problems associated with identifying hazardous materials and therefore reduce the potential of a hazardous materials disaster in New Jersey. The legislation we are proposing makes good common sense and is a step forward in making New Jersey a safer place in which to live.”
There is no admission charge for the NBVF-sponsored hazardous materials course. Community officials, fire fighters, police, first aiders and industrial safety personnel may call (201) 731-3112 for more information, or write to the foundation at 308 Main Street, Orange, N. J. 07050.
