Fire Department
Hazmat Team
Hazardous Materials Team
Commonly referred to as the Hazmat Team, it is comprised of highly skilled on-duty firefighters and paramedics, who specialize in the area of hazardous materials response and mitigation. The primary Hazmat Team is housed at Fire Station 9 .
Federal funding allowed Arlington to expand the size of the Hazmat Team, subsequent to events of 9/11, and a satellite Hazmat Team (Engine 101) and Hazmat Response Tractor Trailer (Hazmat 101) were added. The satellite team is housed at Fire Station 1 . Hazmat 101 is equipped with a multitude of specialized hazardous materials tools and equipment.
Our Hazmat Team makes up one half of the Northern Virginia Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team, one of 13 teams in the Commonwealth.
Where are we?
Team members operate a specialized heavy rescue squad (Rescue 109), which in addition to its normal compliment of heavy rescue tools and equipment carries a variety of hazmat tools. The team also consists of Medic 109, an advanced life support unit with highly skilled paramedics capable of treating patients with Hazmat related injuries/sickness. Engine 109 is staffed with Hazmat personnel who are available to provide additional support.
Satellite Hazmat Team members (Engine 101) and Hazmat Response Tractor Trailer (Hazmat 101) reside at fire station #1.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials exist in households, businesses, industrial services, and in transit over our railroads and roadways. When used properly, hazardous materials serve a purpose and are safe in society. In contrast, accidents, spills, leaks or criminal activity involving hazardous materials (chemical, nuclear, radioactive, biological, incendiary/explosive) can pose a significant threat to humans, animals, and the environment.
Training
Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) firefighters are certified to the Virginia State Hazardous Materials Operations level, which allows ACFD personnel to take immediate action for any Hazmat emergency. Team members are certified through Virginia State beyond this level as Hazmat Technicians and Specialists. Their specialty and on-going monthly training includes, but is not limited to:
- Hazardous materials mitigation
- Hazardous materials detection and monitoring
- Chemistry of hazardous materials
- Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
- Suspicious packages/substances
- Confined space entry
- Environmental protection
- Spill and leak control/containment
Chemical hazard identification
Types of Incidents
Hazmat Team members, trained to the Technician or Specialist status, respond to a variety of incidents, such as:
- Chemical and petroleum spills and leaks
- Natural gas and carbon monoxide leaks
- Suspicious packages, unknown odors or substances
- Weapons of Mass Destruction and terrorist threats
- Contamination of waterways and multiple wildlife/fish kills
- Sick buildings (multiple same sicknesses for no apparent reason)
- Biological and etiological emergencies
- Clandestine drug labs
- Bombs/explosives
Equipment
Our apparatus is equipped with technologically advanced equipment to allow swift and efficient responses to any incident we are called to. Equipment includes:
- Air monitoring and detection equipment
- Chemical and water test strips
- Petroleum and Mercury absorbent materials
- Specialized breathing apparatus
- Encapsulated chemical and splash suits
- Waterway and sewer maps to track and isolate spills
- Decontamination equipment
- Specialized non-sparking hand tools
- Lock out / Tag out equipment
Common Household Waste
Arlington's Department of Environmental Services provides residents recommendations on how to dispose of common household hazardous waste products, such as:
- Paints
- Batteries
- Compact fluorescent bulbs
- Electronic equipment/computers
Read more information about the Household HazMat Program.
For more information on the Arlington County Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Team, contact Captain II Clark via e-mail.