UXO TRAINING CENTER

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

UXO TRAINING CENTER ESTABLISHED AT TEXAS A & M

 The following is the announcement of the creation of the The 
International Unexploded Ordnance Training Center at Texas A & M 
University. The point of contact is Paul W. Ihrke: Voice - 
703/451-0931; Fax - 703/451-0900; Internet - <ihrke@mindspring.com>.

 IUTC
International Unexploded Ordnance Training Center

The IUTC Goals

 Be a World Class UXO Training and Education Center

 Be the Center for UXO Technical and Professional development

 The International Unexploded Ordnance Training Center plans to offer the
following courses.

Basic UXO Technician Course - Designed to:

 Teach the skills required to safely detect, locate, identify, recover and
destroy unexploded ordnance

 Certify the student as an Unexploded Ordnance Technician (the course will
be such that the student will have the skills and knowledge required to go
to work at a UXO remediation site. However, there may be a required
probationary period depending on the Industry prior to the official
certification and award of credentials)

 Be the recognized Standard by government and industry

Proposed classes based on preliminary survey:

Day 1 (Monday)
In processing - 1 hour
Introduction - Industry and course overview - 1 hour
Introduction to explosives and military ordnance - 4 hours
Environmental considerations - 2 hours the first day and interwoven
throughout the course

Day 2 (Tuesday)
Explosives safety/handling principles (Exam) - 1 day

Day 3 & 4 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Demolition materials (military and commercial) - 2 days

Day 5 (Friday)
Emergency and basic first aid - 1 day

Days 6-8 (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday)
Basic demolition training procedures (Practical Exam) - 3 days

Days 9-18 (Thursday -Wednesday & Thursday - Wednesday)
identification of military ordnance - to include all types of explosive
ordnance used from WW I to the present with emphasis on external features
(both as manufactured and as expected after years in the ground), fuzing,
safety precautions and functioning (Exam) - 2 weeks

Day 19 (Thursday)
Professional development - resume preparation, job placement information,
professional association information - day
Humanitarian Demining overview - Covers the global problem along with the
similarities and differences associated with this category of UXO - day

Days 20-22 (Friday, Monday & Tuesday)
Equipment introduction and operation - how to operate and maintain the
equipment currently used to detect and locate UXO (Practical Exam) - 3 days

Day 23 (Wednesday)
Overview of typical operational requirements at a job site - 1 day

Days 24-27 (Thursday, Friday, Monday & Tuesday)
Practical training scenarios - "how to" training at a job site (Practical
Exam) - 4 days

Day 28 (Wednesday)
Chem-bio warfare material overview - 1 day

Day 29 (Thursday)
Final Exam - 2 hours
Closing seminar with Industry representatives - day
Graduation

Applicants must pass an industrial physical and be certified by a medical
doctor as capable of performing UXO work. Applicants must pass a drug test
and come up clean on a police background check.

The 40 hour OSHA qualification will be covered within the 6 week course.
UXO Refresher Course - Designed to

 Provide a basic review of the UXO technician skills

 Cover new developments in the industry related to the UXO area remediation
mission

 Re-certify the technician as required by the industry standard to be
determined

Proposed classes (2 Week Course)

Day 1 (Monday)
In process - 2 hours
Introduction and course overview -1 hour
Explosives safety fundamentals & recent accidents/lessons learned - 5 hours*

Day 2 (Tuesday)
 Environmental/regulatory update - day
 Demolition materials update - day

Days 3-5 (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)
 Ordnance identification - 2 days*
 Fuze identification - 1 day*

Days 6-9 (Monday - Thursday)
 Demolition procedures certification - 1 day*
 Equipment operations certification - day*
 Practical training at UXO job site - 2 days*
 Chem-bio warfare material refresher - day

Day 10 (Friday)

 Final Exam - 2 hours
 UXO and Demining clearance update - 1 hour
 Graduation

 * These sessions will cover the Task Inventory skills developed by the
Huntsville Division Corps of Engineers, OE team as required.

Advanced Courses - The following advanced courses are planned for the
future. They are designed to teach the skills and provide the knowledge
required to successfully begin and complete all phases of a UXO remediation
project. The first five courses listed match the job requirements currently
recognized by the US Army Corps of Engineers associated with their FUDs
contracting. The curriculum for these courses are being developed and we
plan to have them certified by the industry and government

 Supervisor's Course

Senior Supervisor's Course

Project Manager's Course

Safety Officer's Course

Quality Assurance Course

Chem-bio Warfare Remediation Course

First Response Training - . The First Response Course would be part of an
overall requirement to train those individuals who would arrive first 
on the
scene after an incident or accident involving weapons of mass 
destruction or
other similar disasters where UXO hazards may be encountered. The training
is designed to enable First responders to safely accomplish their mission
and would be a cooperative effort between law enforcement, firemen, medical
and other emergency response personnel.

Specialty Courses - The following specialty courses will be designed to
enhance the safety, speed, quality and cost benefits associated with the
clearance of UXO.

Range Management

Advanced Technologies

Team Training

Customized Training
Safety and Community Awareness

VIP Orientation - as required

Humanitarian Demining

Regulatory Oversight Courses as required - This may well require a modified
Basic Course or a modification of the Safety and Community Awareness Course.