Alabama Fire College ProBoard Certification Course. This course is for emergency response personnel who may be first on the scene of a hazardous materials emergency. First responders at the awareness level are expected to recognize the presence of hazardous materials, protect themselves, secure the area, and call for trained personnel. At the operational level, the first responder uses the knowledge gained from the awareness level to act in a defensive posture to protect people, the environment, or property from the effects of an unplanned hazardous materials release. This course meets the requirements of the mandatory Awareness/Operational training in hazardous materials required by Title III - Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 and NFPA 472, Standard on Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents current edition.