| The Fort Lauderdale
Fire-Rescue Department Hazardous Materials Response Team
(HazMat) was founded
in 1979 and was the first fire department hazardous materials
response team in Broward County.
The HazMat team has been extensively trained and equipped
to respond to the threat and/or deployment of nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
The 36 certified hazardous materials technicians who
make up the team (including firefighters, driver-engineers
and lieutenants) are specialists with advanced training
in hazardous materials that bring various skills to the
team.
The HazMat team is operational 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and is one of four regionally posted HazMat
teams that not only responds to calls within the City,
but throughout the state.
A minimum of five HazMat team members are on duty at
all times. In addition, the department has additional
firefighters certified as hazardous materials technicians
who are not currently assigned to the HazMat team. These
firefighters are available for assignment to the team
if needed.
The most common types of calls the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue
HazMat team responds to involve acid spills, gasoline
spills, chemical spills, and chlorine and vapor leaks.
Common household calls often involve BBQ grill propane
tanks and natural or propane gas leaks in pipes or appliances.
The HazMat team often trains with the Fort Lauderdale
Police Department's Special Operations Units on WMD issues and provides hazardous materials training to other local
agencies.
The HazMat Team also works with several local, regional and federal agencies to develop protocols for different
types of hazardous material emergencies. These multi-agency
partnerships have been strengthened to foster interagency
knowledge, as well as to develop an understanding of what
each agency's role is in an emergency situation.
The HazMat team is outfitted with a tractor-trailer truck
to store and transport the various equipment and protective
gear necessary for hazardous materials emergencies.
All Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Operations Division units
are equipped with chemical/biological protective suits
for use at hazardous materials incidents. All department
medical transport units are equipped to treat and transport
victims of chemical or biological exposure.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department has the capability
and equipment to decontaminate, treat and transport victims
of chemical or biological exposure.
When not responding to or training for hazardous materials
emergencies, the members of the HazMat team staff an Advanced
Life Support (ALS) equipped engine company and respond
to standard fire and medical emergencies.
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