Hazardous Materials
Specialized ResponseEvery responder is certified at the HAZMAT Operations level, and the department answers roughly 60 hazardous materials incidents a year.
About the Hazardous Materials
All Chesterfield Township Fire Department responders are trained at the hazardous materials Operations level as part of their initial certification, and all sworn members complete annual continuing education in hazardous materials. Some members are certified at the HAZMAT Technician level.
The department responds to roughly 60 hazardous materials incidents each year, from elevated carbon monoxide levels in a home to industrial incidents. Nine facilities in the township store hazardous materials in quantities that require them to report under SARA Title III, and a CN rail line, M-3, M-29 and I-94 carry a wide variety of hazardous materials through the community, along with a natural gas transmission line.
Most incidents are handled with a single engine. Supplies and protective equipment for larger incidents are carried on Rescue 2 at Fire Station 3, and a utility trailer of mass decontamination equipment can be deployed to large incidents across the county. For the largest incidents the department partners with the Macomb County Hazardous Materials Team.
Responsibilities
- Respond to hazardous materials incidents at the Operations level
- Maintain HAZMAT Technician and Operations certifications and annual continuing education
- Carry HAZMAT supplies and protective equipment on Rescue 2
- Maintain mass decontamination equipment available county-wide
- Partner with the Macomb County Hazardous Materials Team on larger incidents
Risk Levels
Low risk incidents are small natural gas or propane leaks and carbon monoxide incidents. Medium risk incidents are releases that are contained but potentially lethal. High risk incidents involve atmospheres immediately dangerous to life and health, combustible atmospheres within structures, or large-scale releases.
Strategic Plan: HAZMAT Response Model
The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan commits the department to a hazardous materials response model with defined training levels for every member, periodic skills evaluations and equipment lists.
Facts and Figures
| Task | Low Risk | Medium Risk | High Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incident Command | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Entry Team | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Rapid Intervention Team | 2 | 4 | |
| Decontamination | 4 | ||
| Safety Officer | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Medical Team | 2 | ||
| Effective Response Force | 4 | 6 | 17 |
Hazardous Materials Gallery
