After a Wildfire: Health and Safety Considerations
After a Wildfire: Health and Safety Considerations
This online course provides tribes with post wildfire safety considerations for indoor air quality and a how to Return Safely. This online course is equivalent to 0.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and requires approximately 7 hours of total learning time. CEUs are earned by completing the following course modules:
- Module 1 – Wildfire Effects, Monitoring, and Communication/Indoor Air Quality
- Module 2 – After a Wildfire: Indoor Air
- Module 3 – Distribution and Deposition of Wildfire Smoke Residues
- Module 4 – Re-Entry Safety Considerations
- Module 5 – Clean-Up Safety
- Module 6 – (Optional) ACAC Fire and Smoke Damage Certification
The American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) offers a Fire and Smoke Damage Certification as a Consultant, Technician, or Assistant Technician. For those interested in pursuing certification, the ACAC will share the certification process with participants. Including information about the exam, cost, and available on-line prep-course.
Course Topics:
- Monitoring Air Quality Index (AQI) during and after a wildfire to make informed safety and health decisions and to communicate risk with your community.
- The composition of wildfire smoke, particle distribution in indoor environments, and how wildfire smoke poses potential hazards on indoor environments.
- The investigation process, sampling, and analytical methodologies used to evaluate smoke impact in and outside of structures.
- The standard of care for cleaning/restoring structures, contents, and personal property to pre-loss conditions and verify the effectiveness of cleaning to prepare for re-occupancy.
Instructors:
- Mansel Nelson, Program Manager, ITEP: Mansel.Nelson@nau.edu
- Alhelí Baños-Keener, Indoor Air and Asthma Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 9: Banos.Alheli@epa.gov
- Kelley Xuereb, Program Analyst, U.S. EPA Region 9: Xuereb.Kelley@epa.gov
- James Payne, Environmental Protection Specialist, U.S. EPA OAQPS: Payne.JamesJ@epa.gov
- Brad Kovar, President and CEO of Safeguard EnviroGroup, Inc. and IAQprepcourses.com: brad@safeguardenviro.com
Online platform support: itep-elearning@nau.edu
Below is a preview of the course content. Enroll to access the materials.
Course Content
Course Navigation Instructions
Introduce Yourself Here
News forum
AirNow
Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires
Emergency Partners Information Connection (EPIC) Alert: Newsletters and Announcements
ASHRAE Journal Newsletter: How Useful are Low-Cost Air Quality Monitors Against Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire Smoke Guide for Public Health Officials
Factsheet: Reduce Your Smoke Exposure
Technical Report: Distribution of Combustion Particles in Buildings
Technical Report: Suggested Guidelines for Wildfire Smoke Damage Investigations and Remediation
1.1 Video: Wildfire Effects
1.2 Video: Evaluating Air Quality, Monitoring, And Communication
1.3 Quiz: Wildfire Effects, Monitoring, and Communication/ IAQ
2.1 Video: Keeping Indoor Air Cool and Clean Part One
2.2 Video: Keeping Indoor Air Cool and Clean Part Two
2.3 Video: Keeping Indoor Air Cool and Clean Part Three
2.4 Quiz: Indoor Air
3.1 Video: Distribution and Deposition of Wildfire Smoke Residues: Part One
3.2 Video: Distribution and Deposition of Wildfire Smoke Residues: Part Two
3.3 Quiz: Distribution and Deposition of Wildfire Smoke Residues
4.1 Video: Re-Entry Safety Considerations: Part One
4.2 Video: Re-Entry Safety Considerations: Part Two
4.3 Quiz: Re-Entry Safety Considerations
5.1 Video: Clean-Up Safety: Part One
5.2 Video: Clean-Up Safety: Part Two
5.3 Quiz: Clean-Up Safety
6.1 Video: Information on ACAC Fire and Smoke Damage Certification
Course Evaluation: After a Wildfire: Health and Safety Considerations
Certificate of Completion