Metropolitan Environmental TRaining Alliance - METRA

The METRA that started as a loosely knit group with no funding or formal structure has evolved into an organization with structure and processes to effectively carry out its mission of "Promoting environmental excellence through training and partnerships" During the mid-90's, Government regulators began to realize that enforcement, "command and control", was not effective in increasing compliance

with OSHA and RCRA programs. METRA began in 1998 as an informal alliance between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Central District (DEP) and local government agencies with a shared goal of improving compliance through private/public partnering in the development of environmental training. A resolution empowering their environmental departments and creating METRA was signed on Earth Day, 1998 by the leaders of Orange and Seminole Counties, the City of Orlando, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority , Reedy Creek Improvement District and the DEP Central District . Hazardous waste staff at DEP's Orlando District office was already offering training to industry and facilitating information exchange and assistance to local programs. For example, in 1996 and 1997 various departments within several Central Florida government agencies made imprudent decisions regarding hazardous waste management. These decisions could have been avoided with better internal communications and emphasized the need for more training and improved communications.