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Whether you’ve been involved with IOSA for years, or are dipping your toes in for the first time, we’re delighted you’re interested and are looking forward to getting you involved.
We’ve got a handful of trainings scheduled for mid-May, and the first order of business is to see if any of you want to sign up. Here is the schedule:
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A 24HR HAZWOPER training on Tuesday – Thursday May 14, 15, and 16 in Friday Harbor. Each day will be from roughly 8:30am to 5:30pm and will mesh with interisland ferry schedule. Training will be held walking distance from ferry.
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An 8HR HAZWOPER training on Thursday May 16 in Friday Harbor, from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
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An 8HR HAZWOPER training on Friday May 17 on Orcas Island in Eastsound, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
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An 8HR HAZWOPER training on Saturday May 18 on Lopez Island in Lopez Village, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
In order to sign up, complete this online registration form.
And here are a few Frequently Asked Questions that will help you sort out what class might be a fit for you. Some things to keep in mind:
-This is not your only opportunity for training. We’ll aim to do this again in the fall and beyond.
-We can’t guarantee slots to everyone as class size is limited, but will try to fit you in and will try to get everyone trained up as soon as possible.
-In addition to these classes, we’re aiming to have regular drills and other shorter trainings that provide good practical knowledge on spill response. Stay tuned.
We’ll release final details on enrollment, class location, and what to bring early next week.
Thanks so much!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about IOSA TRAINING
Q: How do I know whether I should sign up for 8HR or 24HR?
A: The 24HR class is much more intensive and is designed for those who want to be able to be the frontline responders for both large and small spills. This means you’ll get a notice on your phone, you’ll head out your door, and you’ll get on a boat to go investigate and potentially respond to a spill. You’ll need to be fit, nimble on a boat, have no major medical conditions, comfortable being outside for long stretches in wind and rain, and be genuinely interested in being an IOSA responder. Clearly we all have lives and can’t guarantee we’ll be available 365 days a year, but this level of training is for those who want to be involved more than most.
The 8HR class is for a much larger group of people who could play a variety of roles on larger spills. You should still be reasonably fit and healthy, but you’re much less likely to be used on an actual response in any given year. Your commitment level is less, and you’re not expected to be available on short notice. You may end up being a wildlife responder, helping with boom deployment on the water, or filling any one of dozens of different roles.
Q: Are there training or other requirements other than HAZWOPER?
A: Yes, our 24HR responders will need to have a valid WA State Boaters’ Card, A First/Aid CPR certification, and taken the online training for ICS 100 and 200. You don’t need to complete these all right away, and IOSA will be helping facilitate training opportunities for all of these. There may be a few shorter trainings periodically through the year for specific skills.
In addition, 24HR volunteers will need to have a physical performed that ensures no underlying medical conditions that could impact your ability to function well during a response.
8HR responders are strongly encouraged to match the requirements of the 24HR responders (without needing a physical), but it is not mandatory for participation.
Q: What exactly is HAZWOPER?
A: It stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. State and Federal law requires that anyone working anywhere close to a spill have some level of HAZWOPER training (the more training you have, the more involved you can get with response. There are even higher levels of HAZWOPER training available (40 and 80HR, but those exceed the work done by IOSA).
Q: Once I’ve taken a HAZWOPER class, what do I need to do in order to keep my certification current?
A: You’ll need to take one 8 hour class every year after your initial training in order to maintain your certification (for both 8 and 24HR). IOSA is planning on scheduling these every year so there will be no issue with keeping your certification current.
Q: I’ve already taken the HAZWOPER training? Do I need to do it again?
A: Depends. If you’re current with your certification (i.e. taken the 8 hour recertification within last year) then you don’t. However, if your year is almost up, or if it’s less than six months lapsed, then you should sign up for one of the 8 hour classes and it will count as your refresher. If it’s lapsed by more than 6 months, then you need to take the initial training again. Note that this is a change from how IOSA used to manage refresher training. The only thing that keeps you current is your annual 8 hour refresher (which IOSA will be offering regularly).
Q: What if I don’t know my current status?
A: Email us at info@iosaonline.org and we’ll look you up and try to determine your last training.
Q: Will there be other training opportunities other than HAZWOPER?
A: Yes, but HAZWOPER is required for all spill responders. In addition, we’ll be conducting regular drills, offering more specialized training on boat safety, wildlife handling, and more. IOSA responders are asked to commit themselves to two days of training and exercising a year at a minimum.
Q: Will I be paid as an IOSA responder?
A: In the past, some IOSA responders were paid for some of their work. Going forward, we may eventually get to a place where that happens, but the for now and the foreseeable future, your expectation should be that you are volunteering your time. On a major spill (which we hope never happens!) it is likely that all IOSA responders would be paid for their work. All training will be free for volunteers.
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