CE Class: Basics in Biohazard Remediation (3 CE credits, WA) | July 28th, 2022 from 1PM – 4PM | Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce | Course #612004

What is a Biohazard?

Examples of biohazards include certain bacterium, viruses, and other potentially infectious or otherwise harmful materials. These can be found in drug & hoarding houses, human and animal waste, and in chemical weapons including those used for riot suppression (tear gas) and in acts of terrorism (anthrax, the Sarin compound, etc.).

As an insurance professional, why is it important to know what biohazards are and how they can affect the property of policyholders?

• Biohazards often accompany Hoarding: It’s estimated that 1 in 20 people suffer from Compulsive Hoarding Disorder, a mental condition that causes individuals to accumulate an excessive amount of items and exhibit difficulty in discarding them, regardless of their monetary value. One example of biohazards co-occurring with hoarding is in homes belonging to pet hoarders. This group accumulates excessive domestic animals, often to the point that they cannot care for all of them. This often results in homes full of hazardous waste including animal feces, urine, and decaying remains.

• The aging population: Though the Baby Boomer Generation (born between 1946 and 1964) accounts for only about 20% of the population, they own more than half of the homes in America. In addition, a study by the Pew Research Center showed that 27% of U.S. adults aged 60+ live alone. Consequently, a disproportionate number of U.S. homeowners are at risk of passing away alone, and if this occurs, they may remain undiscovered for several days or weeks. In these increasingly common cases, intensive and often structurally invasive property damage restoration is required to return the property to a habitable condition.

• The rise of “Super Bugs”: Clostridioides difficile, commonly known as “C-diff,” is a bacterium that causes a potentially life-threatening infection to the colon. Because it is one of the most difficult disease-causing agents to neutralize, property damage remediation by thoroughly trained Biorisk Management Specialists is critical for the health and safety of your clients.

Intrigued, or horrified? If it’s a little of both, consider joining us for this in-person CE class!

What you will learn:

• What qualifies as a biohazard

• Federal, State, and/or local requirements for biohazard remediation providers

• Steps taken by qualified biohazard remediation technicians to ensure your policyholder’s property is thoroughly decontaminated & returned to a habitable condition

• Common myths & misunderstandings about what biohazard remediation is, including where pop culture and reality differ.

Additional topics:

• Beyond technical expertise: the importance of concerned, compassionate, calm, and careful service providers

• Ethical conduct in biohazard remediation

Registration Info:

• Pre-registration is required. This workshop is expected to fill/no tickets will be available at the venue.

• To register up to 4 people, please complete the form below. To reserve 5 or more seats and/or for general inquiries, please contact Jerome at PuroClean of North Spokane: (509) 505-5353.

Looking for more CE Credits? Consider attending Contemporary Ethics (3 CE’s) on the same day from 9AM – 12PM, at the same location!

WA License Renewal & CE Credit FAQs:

• Q: How many continuing education credits do I need to renew my license?

• A: Each resident individual producer with life, disability, property, casualty or personal lines must complete a total of 24 credit hours of CE which must include 3 hours of ethics credits prior to license renewal or reinstatement.

• Q: How can I make sure I haven’t taken this class already?

• A: Compare this course number and description to other classes you’ve completed since your last renewal: WA #612004 – Basics in Biohazard Remediation. If both match another course you’ve completed during this renewal cycle, you will not receive credit for taking this course.

• Q: Can I take this course now and apply the credits to a future renewal cycle (beyond my next one)?

• A: No. CE credits can only be applied to license renewal for the period in which they are earned (they cannot be banked/frontloaded).

• Q: Is the instructor an approved CE provider in Washington?

• A: Yes. Jerome Matthews, WA State OIC Approved CE Provider #28567 (PuroSystems LLC), will be facilitating this workshop.

• Q: How do I find my Washington State License Number (WAOIC) and/or National Producer Number (NPN)?

• A: You can look up this information for yourself, other agents, agencies or companies on the OIC’s website.

• Q: I’m a resident individual adjuster or an individual non-resident adjuster who claims Washington as my home state. What are my CE requirements?

• A: Beginning July 15, 2022, the CE requirements for individual resident and non-resident adjusters are the same as those given for individual resident producers above.

About the Instructor

Jerome Matthews has spent most of his career in training & development roles, first at well-known Washington companies and later as a healthcare provider instructing physicians, nurses, and physical therapists across the country. An Inland NW native, he began his third career in mid-2019 when he co-founded PuroClean of North Spokane, a property damage restoration company specializing in the mitigation of structural damage due to water, fire, mold, and biohazards. He is a Biorisk Management Specialist, a Certified Trauma & Crime Scene Technician, and one of 30 Certified Forensic Operators in the United States. In his free time (what’s that?) he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, single malt whiskeys & Bourbons, and pretending he’s good at golf.

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