Colorado Responder Credits CDP Training with Response Success
Colorado responder Bill Mayfield inspects his protective mask as his team prepares to conduct scenario-based operations in a hazardous environment with suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction
Colorado responder Bill Mayfield inspects his protective mask as his team prepares to conduct scenario-based operations in a hazardous environment with suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction
Colorado responder Bill Mayfield inspects his protective mask as his team prepares to conduct scenario-based operations in a hazardous environment with suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction
Colorado responder Bill Mayfield inspects his protective mask as his team prepares to conduct scenario-based operations in a hazardous environment with suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction
Colorado Responder Bill Mayfield has attended eight specialized training courses at FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) and has an impressive multi-disciplinary background in healthcare, fire fighting, emergency management, and hazardous materials.
It didn't take him long after his first Hazardous Materials Technician course at the CDP to utilize the specialized training he received in Anniston when a local county technician responding to an elderly woman's home to remove household chemicals discovered Chloracetophenone—an agent used in riot control tear gas. Because he was a recent graduate of the CDP's HazMat Technician training, Mayfield was assigned as the Operations Section Chief to supervise the disposal.
"I was advised that it could be quite unstable and potentially shock sensitive, so we made the decision to move it to a safe site and detonate it," said Mayfield. "A tactical plan was formulated between HazMat and explosive ordnance disposal. I personally supervised the transfer of the ampoules, assisted EOD with placement, and supervised clean-up and decontamination following detonation. The CDP training I received absolutely contributed to a positive outcome in this situation. The experience in assessing and working with real chemicals at [the CDP's toxic agent facility] definitely reduced my stress level, which in turn helped set a calm, 'can-do' climate with the rest of the response team."
Mayfield is also a registered nurse with real-world and instructional experience who works in Colorado Springs for Memorial Health System and the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District as the Emergency Response Coordinator for MHS and Firefighter Registered Nurse. He also serves as a technical specialist and subject matter expert in hazardous materials and emergency management. Mayfield teaches a variety of CDP non-resident training—33 courses to responders in his jurisdiction during the past six years, through the indirect delivery, train-the-trainer program.