Hazmat Disaster Preparedness Training Program

HDPT Project Summary/Abstract The overall goals of WRUC’s Hazard Disaster Preparedness Training Program (HDPTP) are to: 1) Prepare workers to engage in disaster response and recovery efforts related to wildfires, earthquakes, severe storms and floods, and other environmental disasters through strategic outreach and education under a multi-sited California Disaster Hub, 2) Prevent and mitigate the impact of climate disasters and industrial incidents on workers and residents of frontline and fenceline communities through community-based emergency response training programs, 3) Support the capacity of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel to respond to hazmat issues associated with wildfires and floods in rural communities in the Pacific Northwest. These goals will be accomplished by UCLA LOSH, UC Berkeley LOHP and the University of Washington through collaboration with worker, community, state and local responder groups in each targeted area. Over the five-year grant period, we will train 1,595 workers and community members per year in 101 English- and Spanish-language courses for a total of 4,490 contact hours. WRUC will also participate in the NIEHS Worker Training Program Emergency Support Activation Plan. These efforts will build and strengthen emergency response capacity and institutionalize disaster preparedness efforts with these target groups in our region and contribute to national disaster response initiatives.