FORT SILL, Okla. (March 10, 2016) -- Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Bruton, Oklahoma City Military Entrance Processing Station guidance counselor, is set to retire in June with almost 21 years of service.
He said he wants to stay in OKC and find work there, possibly with a federal agency. He's looking at the job market and taking advantage of opportunities as he transitions into the civilian sector.
Bruton was one of 20 Soldiers, family members and veterans who attended the first Hazardous Waste Worker Training here Feb. 22 to March 4, at Truman Education Center. The training was free.
"The HAZWOPER (hazardous waste operations and emergency response) program is pretty marketable and it's something I can add to my resumé," said Bruton, who commuted daily from OKC to attend. "It was something that I could do now, get certified and it was free ninety-nine."
The training was provided by faculty from Barton Community College's Grandview Plaza, Kan., campus, which specializes in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hazardous materials and emergency services. The program was offered through the nonprofit National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE), which received a five-year grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said Bill Nash, Barton college's Fort Riley (Kan.) dean of technical and military outreach. PETE contracted Barton college to provide the training.
The 80-hour program provided students with three certifications, Nash said.
The first was the nationally recognized OSHA 10-hour card for industry general safety. The second was the OSHA 2015 Hazardous Materials certification, which covered handling and storage of hazardous materials in the workplace and regulations concerning their use. This certification can only be offered by an OSHA education center. Barton is one of 42 such centers in the United States. The third, the 40-hour HAZWOPER class, an OSHA requirement for people to work with hazardous chemicals or at a waste disposal site.
Kirk Laflin, PETE executive director, came from South Portland, Maine, to observe the training March 4. He said many service members have a background in safety or environmental services, but don't necessarily have the certifications.
"We wanted to provide this training to give them those extra credentials to give them an edge up when they get out (of the military) and start looking for employment," he said.
James Henderson, Barton college Fort Riley adjunct faculty, taught the OSHA industry safety and hazardous materials courses with classroom and practical exercises. He said he wanted his students to gain confidence from the training.
"The knowledge piece is actually pretty easy. There's a reference they can read for everything they do," he said. "But to believe they can actually do it -- that's what I want them to learn."
FINAL EXAM
The training culminated with a hazardous-materials exercise March 4, near the education center. Students filled various roles, which they had learned during the two-week training.
Arriving on a waste scene, students David Meyer and Miguel Abisaab wearing encapsulating suits surveyed the site. One of them held a monitor to detect hazards. They gingerly removed rubbish, which in itself was a hazard. Conferring with the incident commander by radio, a plan was implemented to move the waste materials.
Meanwhile other students manned a decontamination station, and others served as safety and security officials, as well as a press officer -- all roles they might fill at a real-world incident.
"We want them to learn to work as a team member, so that everyone is contributing," Nash said.
Afterward, an after-action review was held in the classroom. Barton instructor Lawrence Webber went over what went well, and what could have been done better. Overall, he described the students' performance in the exercise as outstanding.
Nash said the job market is good for people looking to work in safety, hazardous waste and in environmental fields. He said having the certifications also makes one more employable.
The students received five college credits from completing the training, Nash said. The free training the Soldiers received here was valued between $3,000 to $5,000 -- the cost through a civilian school, he said.
Student and family member Lakese Cook said she took the training as she is seeking employment in the field.
"It was really good training and useful information," she said. "The instructors were patient and very knowledgeable."
Student Master Sgt. David Chaviera, Directorate of Training and Doctrine Operations noncommissioned officer in charge, who will be retiring in October, said he has already recommended the training to some of his Soldiers.
Dr. Carl Heilman, Barton college president, made the trip from Great Bend, Kan., to hand out certificates at the graduation.
"It's awesome that you took the opportunity to better yourselves, to prepare yourselves, doing the best job that you can do," Heilman said, to the graduates. "I hope that you're able to use this and move forward in your life."
Michael Dodds, Truman Education Center education services officer, said there has been so much interest in the Hazardous Waste Worker Training that the next class scheduled for May is full.
Given that level of interest, Dodd is working to get another class this summer.
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