How reflection, readiness, and refresher training protect responders and communities year-round.
The holidays are a time for celebration, gratitude, and looking back on a year’s worth of hard work. But for emergency responders and environmental safety professionals, it’s also a time to remember that hazards don’t take holidays.
Whether it’s a spill in freezing conditions, a chemical storage failure, or a transportation accident during winter storms, emergencies can strike when we least expect them. At the Emergency Response Training Institute (ERTI), we believe the most meaningful gift you can give your team—and your community—is the gift of preparedness.
Reflection Leads to Readiness
As we gather with family and friends, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the year’s successes and lessons learned. Did your team complete their HazWOPER refresher training? Have new staff been fully prepared for hazardous materials response?
Just as we review our budgets and goals for the new year, reviewing your safety readiness should be on the list too. A few hours of refresher training can make all the difference when seconds count in the field.
Seasonal Risks Require Seasonal Readiness
Cold weather adds new layers of complexity to hazardous materials work. Freezing conditions can:
- Alter chemical reactions
- Cause equipment failures
- Limit visibility and mobility
That’s why now—before the deep winter months—is the best time to reinforce safety protocols, inspect PPE, and ensure all team members are confident in containment and communication procedures.
The Power of Refresher Training
One of our recent trainees, Kris Iverson, Project Geologist at the Oregon Department of Transportation, shared:
“The class provides a time to review the Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response training for competency and safety reasons. Listening to real incident stories helps guide us during responses.”
These stories and shared experiences are at the heart of ERTI’s training approach. They transform safety lessons into real-world instinct—the kind that keeps teams calm, coordinated, and capable in high-pressure moments.
A Season to Be Thankful—And Prepared
As the year comes to a close, we want to thank every responder, safety manager, and environmental professional who makes preparedness a priority. Your commitment to training doesn’t just meet OSHA standards—it saves lives.
Before you ring in the new year, take time to renew your team’s readiness. Because the greatest peace of mind comes from knowing that when an emergency happens, your team is trained, equipped, and ready to respond.
Train with Experience. Train with ERTI.
Start 2026 with confidence. Explore our HazMat and HazWOPER training programs—available both virtually and in person—and give your team the preparation they deserve.
