Hazardous Materials Technician Course for HDS Candidates

 

USBTA and USCHTA are offering this 40-hour Hazardous Materials Technician (HMT) Course, at no cost to public safety bomb squads, for candidates preparing to attend the FBI Hazardous Devices School (HDS). The course is designed to fulfill the required HMT prerequisite and provide students with the hazardous materials knowledge and practical skills necessary to operate safely in explosive and hazardous-material environments.

 

Instruction will be delivered jointly by experienced public safety bomb technicians and HAZMAT technicians. This combined approach ensures students receive the required technician-level instruction while also understanding how those principles apply specifically to bomb squad operations. Classroom instruction, practical exercises, and scenario-based training will address hazard and risk assessment, hazardous-material identification, PPE and respiratory protection, containment and control, decontamination, incident command, and safe incident termination.

 

Dates: October 26-30, 2026

Travel Days: October 25 and 31

Location:

United States Bomb Technician Association

4450 Indian Head Hwy

Indian Head, MD 20640

 

Prerequisites: Prior to finalizing course registration personnel must provide the following

• Notice/letter from Bomb Squad Commander that member is accepted to the Bomb Squad and is awaiting an HDS course seat
• Course completion certificates for the following online FEMA Courses
  • ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • ICS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
  • IS-700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  • IS-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Personnel must be in full duty status with no physical or administrative restrictions to attend course

 

Course Funding:  Once approved for attendance, funding and travel instructions will be provided.  Course and all participant travel, per diem, and lodging is funded by USBTA.  Please DO NOT book any travel until you receive course acceptance from USBTA personnel.

 

Registration Process:  Bomb Squad Commander must send an email request to sjagtiani@usbta.us with the following information

• Name of person requesting to attend
• Email of person requesting to attend
• Cell phone number of person requesting to attend
• Member FEMA SID
• FEMA Course certificates of completion for
  • ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • ICS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
  • IS-700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  • IS-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Name of accredited bomb squad member is assigned
• Bomb Squad identifier number
• Mailing address of Bomb Squad
• Bomb Squad phone number
• Statement that person attending is in full duty status with no physical or administrative restrictions

Once all information is received and verified, personnel will receive a course registration confirmation along with travel and funding information.