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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Hernando County Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team is
to provide the county with specially trained personnel to respond to nuclear, biological, and chemical
releases upon request. The rescue of victims, hazard mitigation, technical guidance, and advanced medical
support are the primary functions of the team.
WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?
Hazardous materials are chemicals, which if released, spilled or misused can
pose a threat to the environment or health. These chemicals are used in industry, agriculture, medicine,
research, and consumer products. Hazardous materials come in many forms. They can be liquids, powders,
solids, or gases. They can be explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive
materials.
These substances are most often released as a result of transportation accidents or
because of accidents in plants where they are produced or used.
 WHY DO WE NEED HAZMAT TEAMS?
If not contained immediately and properly,
hazardous materials can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings,
homes, and other property.
The HazMat Team is here to ensure that any incident is contained and its effects on
the residents of this county are minimized.
WHO ARE THE HAZMAT TEAM MEMBERS
The Hernando County HazMat Response Team was authorized by the Board of County
Commissioners and began operations January 8, 2004
The team is comprised of 60 members...firefighters, law enforcement, EMT's, paramedics and emergency management personnel.....
The Command Staff requires each team member to complete eighteen (18) hours of approved training at the
technician level each calendar year to maintain proficiency and technician-level certification. Members that
do not achieve a satisfactory degree of continuing education are subject to removal from active HazMat duty.
"A hazardous materials accident can occur anywhere"
-FEMA fact sheet
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IF CAUGHT AT THE SCENE OF A
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACCIDENT
- If you see an accident, call 9-1-1 or the local fire
department to report the nature and location of the accident as soon as possible.
- Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away.
- Do not walk into or touch any of the spilled substance. Try
not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area.
- Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material
has been identified.
- Try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind of the accident.
Source: FEMA Fact Sheet:- Hazardous Materials Accidents |
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