The South San Joaquin County Fire Authority staffs a Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team available to respond to hazardous materials emergencies both locally and throughout the state of California. Hazardous Materials incidents may include spills, leaks, and exposures to substances that pose a threat to life, health, and/or property.  The team has been established in conjunction with the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) as a part of the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Program (RHMRP).

As the third largest state in the nation and with iconic critical infrastructure, California is at risk from a myriad of threats and hazards including the release of hazardous materials, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters.

The Regional Hazardous Materials Response Program was implemented in 2018. CalOES embarked on an effort to increase local emergency response capability in identified "gap" areas by assigning 12 newly purchased CalOES Type II Hazardous Materials response vehicles to be strategically located in rural and metropolitan fire departments. CalOES completed the distribution of the 12 fully equipped Type II hazardous materials response vehicles to local government fire agencies. The assignee agencies entered into a contractual agreement with Cal OES to staff the hazardous materials response vehicles and respond to hazardous materials emergencies within the state upon request.  The South San Joaquin County Fire Authority is one of the 12 assignees of the RHMRP, having received HazMat 42 in 2018.

Our team consists of a minimum of thirty certified Hazardous Materials Specialists assigned across all shifts of the Fire Authority.  HazMat 42 is located at Station 96 at 1800 W. Grant Line Road.  All personnel assigned to Station 96 are members of the Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team.  Personnel not assigned to the team are trained to the Hazardous Materials First Responder support level. 

Take a look at the below video for a tour of our CalOES HazMat Truck at Station 96 with Engineer Schwarz.

HazMat Truck Tour

Emergency Procedures

The general rule in working with hazardous materials is to act quickly and to isolate and deny entry or exposure. Time is critical, but do not act so quickly that you endanger yourself or others at the scene. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Try to keep people away from the spill or leak and limit exposure to anyone.

What is a Hazardous Material?

A hazardous material is a substance that, in any quantity, poses a threat to life, health, the environment, or property. More than four billion tons of materials classified as hazardous are shipped throughout the United States each year. Hazardous materials commonly shipped in the United States include:

• Explosives (materials that combust or detonate)
• Compressed gases (pressurized flammable or non-flammable gas)
• Flammable liquids (those with a flashpoint of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Combustible liquids (those with a flash point greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Flammable solids (non-explosive solid material that burn vigorously and can be ignited readily)
• Oxidizers (substances that give off oxygen or act like oxygen and stimulate combustion)
• Poisonous gases, corrosives, (materials that destroy skin)
• Radioactive materials