COURSE OVERVIEW

This course prepares hazardous materials technicians to effectively use the HAZCAT system for the identification and classification of unknown substances in emergency response environments. Through hands-on laboratory exercises and practical scenarios, students learn proper wet chemistry techniques, contamination control procedures, hazard class determination, and result interpretation. Training explores the strengths and limitations of HAZCAT alongside technologies such as FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and PID instruments, helping responders understand when each tool is most appropriate. Emphasis is placed on integrating identification results into risk-based operational decisions involving PPE selection, isolation distances, hazard assessment, and overall incident strategy. Participants leave with the confidence and practical experience needed to apply wet chemistry methods when modern detection technologies alone do not provide a complete answer.