Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner
Training is important to achieving regulatory compliance and environmental improvements for Tennessee communities. The department supports learning, advance skill acquisition and competency demonstration for individuals and the organizations they represent.
Fleming Training Center in Murfreesboro offers training, certification and technical assistance for water and wastewater system personnel throughout Tennessee. Fleming’s dedicated campus and extensive course offerings for water and wastewater operator certification and operator training are one of the reasons Tennessee’s drinking water program is promoted by the U.S. EPA as a model for the nation.
The department provides Visible Emissions Evaluation School or “Smoke School” at Henry Horton State Park.
The department offers the Lead-based Paint Abatement Program to ensure that individuals are properly trained and certified to conduct lead-based paint activities in buildings.
A certified Landfill Operator must be present at a municipal solid waste landfill during all hours of operation. A person interested in obtaining the department's Landfill Operator certification must take training and pass an examination, both conducted by this department. Currently, certification training and examinations are arranged once a year in the spring in the central Tennessee area.
The Tennessee Radon Program works with the Southern Regional Radon Training Center (SRRTC) to ensure radon-related courses are offered in Tennessee to aid those who want to become radon testers and mitigators in Tennessee.
The department and the University of Tennessee offer approved Certified Meth Laboratory Decontamination classes. Participants that successfully complete the training and its prerequisites will meet the training requirements to become a CML Decontamination Contractor and TDEC certified CML Hygienists
Sediment is a major contributor to the pollution of streams in Tennessee, and construction activities are a major source of sediment and stream siltation. The Tennessee Water Resources Research Center offers Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Training for individuals involved in land disturbing activities such as development and construction. Effective transfer of this information and knowledge to practitioners and professionals will improve design and performance in the field.
The department partners with the Tennessee Environmental Education Association, the Tennessee Department of Education and Project CENTS to host EEinTennessee, a clearinghouse of state-wide environmental education opportunities and training for Tennessee teachers, parents and students.
