Mexico trains in U.S. to respond to toxic emergencies

August 10, 2011 9:26 PM
By Nicole Chavez The Brownsville Herald

Hazardous materials training and equipment valued at $100,000 was donated to Matamoros fire and safety agencies as part of a U.S. Department of Defense initiative.

The 40-hour program, which consists of classroom and hands-on activities, will help prepare the Matamoros Fire Department, Cruz Verde (Green Cross) and Civil Protection members to handle emergencies involving hazardous materials.

More than 20 members from various public agencies in Matamoros were invited to take part in the training. Participants learned how to use the equipment donated by U.S. Northern Command.

Ian Moscoso, a lieutenant with the Cloverleaf Fire Department in Houston, led the training. He is a hazardous materials specialists certified by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

Training lessons included topics on coordination, teamwork and how to respond once the community has been exposed to hazardous materials.

“They need to be able to use the equipment under pressure. Also, be able to work on teams to handle big containers with hazardous materials,â€