Featured Article — October 2008

Northland Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team

Northland Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team

The Northland Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team (NRHMRT) was formed in 2002 when members of the Northland Fire Chiefs Council met with former Missouri Governor Bob Holden and former Homeland Security Director Tim Daniels. This meeting resulted in an initial state grant to cover startup costs, with additional funding from the city of North Kansas City that has allowed the team to acquire much-needed equipment over the past six years. The NRHMRT is one of eight recognized Regional Haz-Mat Teams and as such the majority of its sustainment funds are currently provided by Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The NRHMRT is tasked with covering a wide area north of Kansas City that includes Clay, Platte and Ray counties and southern Clinton County.  Although the team has not had to respond to any terrorist threats as yet, it has responded to many other incidents, including vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, gasoline spills and others.

The Haz-Mat Team operates four response trailers and three decontamination trailers that are strategically located throughout the area to respond on short notice.  Normally, the closest trailer unit will respond first and upon arrival will determine if additional trailer units need to be activated. These units are staffed by Haz-Mat Technicians and additional support personnel.

Northland Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team

The Northland Fire Chiefs determined that it would be best to sign Mutual Aid Agreements with each department in the area in order allow this team to effectively respond to Haz-Mat incidents and to eliminate any jurisdictional concerns. Currently, 17 of these Mutual Aid Agreements are in place. The NRHMRT stands ready to respond to any emergency involving Hazardous Materials incidents in its three-and-one-half county response area.

The threat level in the airline sector is HIGH or Orange. See www.dhs.gov for details.

An online Suspicious Activity Report Form (SAR) will be available soon.