Hazmat course held at Cottonwood
On November 4th 82 area responders attended a Hazardous Materials Awareness class at Prairie High School.  The class was hosted by Cottonwood Fire and Police Department and sponsored by Idaho County Emergency Manager Jerry Zumalt and Idaho County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Instructors came from the Regional Response Team based out of Lewiston, Idaho Office of Emergency Management and the Director of Idaho State Communications.
Attendees from Cottonwood Fire and Police, St Marys Hospital EMS, Syringa EMS, Idaho County Emergency Manager, Idaho Sheriffs Posse, Grangeville Mountain Rescue Unit, Idaho State Police, local HAM radio groups, Elk City Fire, Riggins Fire and EMS, Nezperce Tribe, and Kamiah Fire attended the training.
This is the first time the Idaho Office of Emergency Management has put on this class, and having IOEM as well as State Communications as part of the basic Hazmat Awareness class provided exceptional knowledge on what the laws state, as well as the procedures to take and resources available from the state agencies.  As we have seen recently with two semi truck crashes on Highway 95 resulting in hazardous material spills, this class is imperative for all of our responders.  This gives them the tools to not only go home safe to their families, but to also to protect and preserve everyone's property to the best ability they can.  Thank You to all the responders who took the time to attend the training.