TCM Tanker Truck Module Prepares FFs for the Unexpected
In the aftermath of a large scale terrorist incident, California's first responders must be well-prepared to face life-threatening and unforeseen challenges on the front line.
To meet these demands, the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC) is bringing vital training to all firefighters across the state with its latest web-based terrorism consequence management (TCM) training modules, which will begin rolling out this summer.
The latest training scenario depicts an incident involving multiple fire and law enforcement agencies responding to an over-turned tanker truck that has collided with a passenger vehicle on a congested freeway. Because it's a traffic incident, CHP makes its way on scene - along with firefighters racing to pull victims from inside the vehicle that is pinned underneath the tanker truck. An already dynamic scene intensifies as firefighters make their way over to the driver of the jack-knifed rig only to discover an explosive device strapped underneath.
The "Tanker Truck" incident is just one of several scenarios encompassed in 10 modules of the TCM web-based training program. These programs will be available through the CFFJAC website portal to Kaplan University. Subjects include response training for CBRNE incidents as well as current trends in terrorist threats and tips to improve response during terrorist actions.
"We need this kind of training so we are prepared to effectively bring an intense and chaotic situation under control," added LA County Fire Department Battalion Chief Greg Hisel, who is also part of the CFFJAC advisory committee. "We need to be able to deal with any kind of situation."
With the assistance of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and LA County Firefighters Local 1014, the CFFJAC and its in-house video production studio, FireStar Productions, set up this complex scenario at the Del Valle Regional Training Facility operated by the LA County Fire Department.
The California Highway Patrol was also on scene to assist with this quick-paced, high drama, night time shoot.
"This was a major production," said CFFJAC Program Director Yvonne de la Peña. "Our team of experts in the fire service developed a constructive and very realistic scenario for this particular TCM module. We are truly grateful to the dozens of firefighters, CHP personnel and volunteers who participated in this video shoot. Because of this collective effort, we were able to pull off this production without a hitch."
No matter the size of a fire department - or jurisdiction - every California firefighter has access to terrorism response training both in the classroom and on the web - at no cost.
