Res 1997-131 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Description The San Marcos Fire and Rescue Department presently has no assigned "team" for hazardous materials response. All members of the 30-man department are required to be cross-trained to handle fluid spills, wash-downs and containment problems. We would like to establish a six-man team of technicians who can work as three pairs or two three-men teams. Presently three members of the department are trained at the technician level. We plan to sent three additional members to the regularly scheduled Division of Emergency Management's Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician training when the scheduled dates are released. The SMF&R presently maintains a Rescue 1 vehicle which was donated and rehabilitated from a beer delivery truck. This vehicle transports a supply of booms, socks, pads and other absorbent materials as well as 2-55 gallon barrels, brooms and shovels, and a wide variety of plug and patching materials. In next year's budget decontamination equipment will be purchased. In the upcoming budget, we hope to expand our containment equipment to include more barrels and improved patch and plugging kits. The Fire Suppression budget annually maintains a line-item for fire safety items and fire and rescue equipment. This is identified as the City's commitment to future funding of the necessary hazardous response materials necessary for containment. The cost effectiveness of this commitment is reviewed on an annual basis based on the state of the City's finances as determined by the elected City Council. They historically have supported public safety as a high priority. Additional cost effectiveness is implemented by cross-training within the department. No one will be hired specifically for this function, rather existing firefighter personnel will be trained as hazardous materials technicians. The acquisition of the six requested Responder Level A Encapsulating Suits through this grant request will provide the protection for our staff to utilize the above listed equipment in a safe and effective manner.