HAZMAT training course brings together state and federal agencies Published Jan. 31, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Nichols 914th Airlift Wing NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- One team! One Fight! That motto was never more evident than over the course of two weeks in January when the 914th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve) and 107th Airlift Wing (Air National Guard) firefighters and emergency managers completed a two week Hazardous Materials Response Technician Certification course. The course consists of seven days of classroom instruction and three days of practical, hands-on training and is held annually here at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. "The Air Force requires all emergency managers and firefighters to be HAZMAT qualified," said Aaron McLane, 914th civilian fire department HAZMAT captain and hands-on instructor for the course. "This course allows us to train to respond to county, state, federal emergency response plans," he added. Niagara Falls ARS is part of HAZMAT West, a regional program encompassing 13 counties, 2 tribal nations, guard/state and federal agencies. The class was set up to serve two purposes. First, it provides training and required certification for fire and emergency management personnel in upgrade training and second, it enhances the working relationship between the 914th civilian fire department, 914th reserve fire department, 107th guard fire department and the 914th reserve emergency management flight. "This course assists in the camaraderie between the 914th, 107th and civilians," said Master Sgt. Ron Harkins, 107th guard fire department and assistant instructor. "There are really no negatives to this course." "Homeland security, the federal emergency management agency, and the current operations tempo of the profession of arms, is solidifying the importance of multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional and multi-function response throughout the emergency response world," said Tech. Sgt. Chris McArdle, 914th reserve fire department and assistant instructor. "This class is just a small example of the remarkable teamwork ongoing to keep our nation and communities safe," he added. "Much credit should be given to the leadership of the 107th and 914th Civil Engineer flights, as well as those leaders and managers of the respective flights for the strong support they displayed to make this training possible and successful," said McArdle.