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The Regional Hazardous Materials Response Program is an
innovative response system designed to provide specialized
response of personnel and equipment to the 351 communities of
the Commonwealth, to enable them to protect the public, the
environment, and property during incidents involving a release
or potential release of  hazardous
materials. Six
Regional Response Teams are strategically located for a
maximum of 1-hour response anywhere in the Commonwealth. The
Regional Teams also support local fire departments with
technical information and specialized equipment.
In 1982 the governmental officials created a task force to
investigate the most uniform and cost effective way to address
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response. It was determined that a
regionalized approach to response would be the most effective.
The Commonwealth was then divided into six regions, by fire
district, and a response team was staffed for each of the six
districts.
In 1994, through cooperative efforts of the Executive Office
of Public Safety, Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts,
the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and the
Massachusetts Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians, a
proposal was made to the Administration and Legislature for
establishment of a funding mechanism to create a standardized
regional response for the mitigation of all hazardous material
incidents. A bond fund was issued for the creation of the
program to establish a statewide, standardized, hazardous
materials regional emergency response plan. The funding enabled
the Commonwealth to provide state-of-the-art equipment
and training.
The division has now created a statewide Mass Casualty Decon
Plan.
Contact Hazmat by email, phone or fax at:
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David
Ladd,
Hazmat Director
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(978)
567-3117 |
| Main Telephone
Number |
(978) 567-3150 |
| Main Fax Number |
(978) 567-3155 |
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