Draft Regional Hazmat Team Model

Technician-Level Response Unit: Trained and equipped personnel who are able to respond to a hazmat spill and take aggressive action to stop the leak. The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) Training Task Force (TTF) is developing a detailed definition of the minimum requirement of a regional response team (RRT). A minimum of seven (7) hazmat technicians are required. Under the proposed LEPC plan, they may be from multiple departments working together under an interlocal agreement as part of other mutual aid agreements.

 Rapid Assessment Unit: At least two people in each county should be trained to the technician level in order to make a quick assessment of the level of the incident. Quickly determining what outside resources are necessary is critical. Also, incident command can be established, decontamination established, and public protective actions started.

 Administrative Unit: An administrative agency, like the Regional Planning Council, that coordinate activities for the regional team. This unit would also need to be able to collect reimbursements from responsible parties and pass them on to the actual responders.

 Operational-Level Responders: At least one fire department in each county should be able to establish a decontamination operation. Ideally, departments should have technician trained people available to participate in a response.

 Private Sector Hazmat Teams: Companies with hazardous materials response capabilities should be able to enter in a contract with the RRT that defines its role and limits its liability.

 Governing Board: Representatives, perhaps elected officials, to make policy decisions for the RRT. A more technically orientated managing board may also be necessary. A representative may cover a multi-county area.

Needs Assessment for Additional Hazmat Teams, This 1995 report documented the need for a Regional Hazmat Response team in north central Florida.