Hazardous Material & Dangerous Goods

Florida SouthWestern State College has partnered with industry experts, Hazmat Safety Consultants, LLC, and the Dangerous Goods Trainers Association to offer Train-The-Trainer Course and Expert Insights Seminar Series. The trainings are funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation Grant and available free of charge to businesses and community members.

HAZMAT TRAIN-THE-TRAINER COURSE

Training of Hazardous Materials employees is critical to the success of the Hazmat system. An effective training program is crucial for Hazmat employees to ensure they are using and implementing the highest level of safety in the industry. The online Train-The-Trainer Course blends industry knowledge and adult-learning philosophies to prepare the participants to become a Hazmat Trainer.

Course covers the following:

  • Hazmat General Awareness & Global Systems
  • How to perform a Hazmat Needs Assessment for your company
  • Adult learning philosophies and training plans
  • Course development and delivery

Course Offerings

July 6 – August 3, 2026

October 5 – November 2, 2026

SWFL Hazmat Conference

Thank you to everyone who joined Florida SouthWestern State College and Hazmat Safety Consulting for the SWFL Hazmat Conference, held February 12th & 13th, 2026. Attendees heard from industry experts, regulatory leaders, manufacturers, transporters, and emergency responders during this power-packed two-day event designed to address the full lifecycle of hazardous materials—from classification and training to emergency response and disaster preparedness.

Topics covered included:

  • Hazmat 101 & Classification
  • Corporate Training & DOT Inspections
  • Lithium Batteries: Storage, Transport & Response
  • Emergency Planning for Hurricanes
  • Hazardous Materials Storage & Communication

The conference brought together safety managers, manufacturers, transporters, first responders, and compliance professionals from across the region.

The event was held February 12-13, 2026 at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida, We hope to continue to offer this event for our community in 2027.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERT INSIGHTS SEMINAR SERIES

Introducing our Hazardous Materials Expert Insights Seminar Series, a monthly one-hour webinar delving into pertinent and timely topics within the field of hazardous materials management.

Teal header reads Featured Speakers on purple background listing four speakers: Mike Pagel with 11 years experience at PHMSA HMIC DOT HQ Washington DC; Ryan Paquet over 20 years hazardous materials transportation safety; Bob Richard 28 years in hazardous materials safety regulations development; Mike Roldan U.S. Coast Guard Chief Hazardous Materials Division policy developer for safe chemical carriage. Four circular headshots align left side.

Upcoming Topics

Lithium Battery Storage—What You Need to Know Mike Pagel & Ryan Paquet June 3, 2026 | 1pm EST Register Here

Training Tales—Corporate Training Do’s and Don’ts Paula Reavis & Mike Pagel July 1, 2026 | 1pm EST Register Here

UN TDG Subcommittee Updates Ryan Paquet & Duane Pfund August 5, 2026 | 1pm EST Register Here

Shipping Cosmetics - Reg Exceptions You Should Know Paula Reavis & Mike Pagel September 2, 2026 | 1pm EST Register Here

Who Needs DG Training? Perspectives from a DOT Inspector Peg Carson October 7, 2026 | 1pm EST Register Here

Webinar Recordings

  • Materials of Trade – What Can I Do? (October 1, 2025)
  • Lithium Battery Storage – Who Knows? (September 3, 2025)
  • UN Subcommittee Updates: Latest Developments in Global Dangerous Goods Regulations (August 6, 2025)
  • Fireworks and Explosives (July 2, 2025)
  • Limited Quantities: Maximizing Exceptions While Maintaining Safety (June 4, 2025)
  • IMDG Code: Essential Guidelines for Maritime DG Transport (May 7, 2025)
  • Building a Corporate DG Compliance Plan (Apr 2, 2025)
  • GHS and Transportation Labeling: Navigating Dual Compliance Requirement (Mar 5, 2025)
  • What to Do if USDOT Knocks on Your Door (Feb 12, 2025)
  • Key Decisions from the UN Dangerous Goods Transport Committee (Jan 15, 2025)
  • Check the Box: Make Your Packages are Safe to Send (Dec 4, 2024).
  • Aerosols on the Move Guide to Safe Travels with Bob Richard (Nov 6, 2024)
  • Mastering Lithium Battery Safety with Mike Pagel (Oct 2, 2024)

Additional Webinar Recordings.

FSW Office of Corporate and Community Education

8099 College Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919 Corporate.Training@fsw.edu

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