Harford County HazMat Vehicle Used as Rehab Unit for Firefighters During Frigid Weather Conditions

From Harford County government:

Russell J. Strickland, Director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES) has announced that Haz Mat 5, a specialized hazardous materials response vehicle, is available to assist the county’s firefighters as a “Rehab Unit” during extremely cold weather conditions.

The vehicle known as Haz-Mat 5 is a 2005 Pierce Enforcer. The cost of the unit with equipment was approximately $500,000. Seven of the units were purchased for the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative (USAI) and are located among the seven major jurisdictions in Maryland. The unit’s primary purpose is for decontamination and rehab during incidents involving hazardous materials.

Haz-Mat 5 was utilized during the recent cold wave as a Rehab Unit for the Harford County volunteer fire service during working fires. The unit responded January 7 to assist the Bel-Air Volunteer Fire Company on a working house fire in the Fountain Green area. The vehicle was also called upon to assist the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company and mutual aid companies at a house fire in Belcamp on January 8. Once again the unit was used for Rehab to provide heat for firefighters and “torpedo heaters” to assist in de-icing ladders.

Haz Mat 5 is one of several Harford County hazardous materials response vehicles which are temporarily housed at the Forest Hill Industrial Complex until completion of the new Harford County Department of Emergency Services facility in Hickory. Haz Mat 5 is staffed by two to four Haz Mat Technicians on most calls, however the vehicle responds with two technicians as a Rehab Unit when assisting the fire service.

Commenting on the use of Haz Mat 5 to assist the fire service, Director Strickland said, “This resource, made possible through federal funding, is available 24 hours a day to assist the volunteers who serve the people of Harford County. We are pleased to offer our firefighters a safe, warm environment to refresh during extreme weather conditions,” Strickland added.