Featured Article -- November 2006

Kansas City's HazMat 71

Submittted by Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department

The Hazardous Materials Division of the Kansas City, Mo. Fire Department, commonly known as HazMat 71, was formed in1989 following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of six firefighters from Pumper companies 30 and 41.

The HazMat Division has 38 staff members including a division chief, a chemist, a training/equipment officer, an MMRS training coordinator, a secretary and 33 HazMat team members working three shifts. The HazMat Division is located at Fire Station 27, 6600 E. Truman Road, and is funded by a five-cent-per-pack cigarette tax.  This division is outfitted with various sampling and detection equipment, all of which is mobile and can be used in emergency situations.  HazMat 71 operates three vehicles, two of which are specifically dedicated to hazardous materials emergencies, and one pumper used in fire suppression and/or decontamination activities.

The HazMat Division is responsible for the investigation and mitigation of all chemical related emergencies or complaints within Kansas City, Mo. The goal of the HazMat Division is to protect human health and the environment by controlling the risks and hazards associated with the release of hazardous chemicals including fires, spills, explosions, WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction), or releases into the environment.  The HazMat Division provides and/or coordinates all personnel, materials and equipment necessary to perform the required emergency mitigation and immediate follow up to an incident. In addition, the HazMat Division is available to other communities within the Kansas City metropolitan area to assist local jurisdictions.

In addition to emergency response to hazardous materials incidents, the division is responsible for the following:

• Training and preparedness for response to acts of terrorism and incidents involving the use of chemical, nuclear and/or biological weapons.
• Protecting public health and safety, and reducing fire loss by controlling hazardous materials releases through implementation of a hazardous materials inspection program and chemical hazards analysis process.
• Ensuring first responders, police and law enforcement personnel are protected against the hazards of clandestine drug lab operations.
• Participating with the local emergency planning committees to develop more efficient emergency planning, training exercises and response capabilities throughout the metropolitan area.
• Responding to structural fire suppression and EMS calls within their district.

If you would like more information on the Hazardous Materials Division of the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department, contact the HazMat office at (816) 784-2020 during normal business hours.

 

 

 

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