HAZMAT
Southern Platter Fire protection District’s Hazardous Materials/Terrorism Response Team (HMRT) mitigates hazardous material (HazMat) incidents. It operates according to guidelines specified in the Fire District’s Standards of Coverage document.
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
THE HMRT
Southern Platte responds to hazardous materials/terrorism response (HMRT) and mitigates hazardous material (HazMat) incidents. It operates according to guidelines specified in the Fire District’s Standards of Coverage document. The HMRT is funded within the annual budget. All SPFPD personnel are trained to the minimum of HazMat “operations level.” With numerous employees trained to the “Technician” level.
Hazardous Material Emergency Equipment
All firefighters are trained and state certified to the Hazardous Materials Operations level. Each first-out apparatus carries an air monitor for detection of flammable and toxic atmospheres and basic colorimetric paper for acids and bases. Each unit also carries basic decontamination equipment and absorbent materials.
In addition to the equipment carried by each apparatus, the comprehensive resources of the organization and County Emergency managers are available. These include water tankers, water tankers with foam capabilities, boats and aerial vehicles. Through an automatic aid agreement with KCFD an additional foam truck, technical rescue units, HazMat response units, and technicians and specialists are available.
Area Covered
Within Platte and Clay counties, it spans 792 square miles and covers a population of approximately 215,650 people. The response area consists of three major hospitals with over 760 beds. These hospitals serve most counties in Northern Missouri for specialized needs, including trauma and hazardous material problems. In addition, the two counties have over 1,000 miles of roadways, the second largest rail yard in the State of Missouri, with 500 miles of track and 3,000 rail cars daily. The Missouri River also travels approximately 30 miles through the two counties with barge traffic. Additional exposures to hazardous materials may occur due to transportation in over-the-road vehicles.
HMRT members are encouraged to continually advance their training. SPFPD supports their attendance at National Fire Academy (NFA) to take advanced courses.