Danbury's New Hazmat?

[x635 4,066]

I noticed that a few departments in CT have recieved new Ferrara regional HazMat response vehicles....I'm assuming these were issued by the state.

If so, how come some departments (like the casinos) got them on a custom Ferrara chasis, and Danbury and Westport got them on International Navistar chasis? A pay to upgrade thing?

Also, how does this system work? How's it staffed? They respond anywhere in the region? If so, Danbury's got big territory to fill....does this take a chunk out of their staffing when it has to respond, or is it callback?

[Ladder44 73]

Torrington fire Dept has one of these Hazmat rescues. It's staffed by E-1 crew with is driver an officer and 2 FF's, they respond to wherever they are called, from there own area or even to Boston if they need them, E-1 would be covered by a callback.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

I believe Danbury's came from the Region 5 (Northwest) Team. Not sure about the differences between that and the reservation HAZMAT rigs... I'd be interested to know as well.

[Guest]

Danbury FD ( Northwest Hazmat ) and Westport FD ( Fairfield County Hazmat) received the "coke truck" style and Milford FD and the two tribal nations received the "rescue" style hazmat vehicles. Danbury's was based on specs from Fairfield County Hazmat and the vehicle was originally planned to be delivered to Torrington FD. As Fairfield County Hazmat is replacing an older version and this is what our needs require (much more storage space) this is the vehicle type we chose. It also allowed us to receive partial funding for a new communication vehicle that is being built for team and region 1 interoperability. The vehicles were purchased by CT Department of Homeland Security.

[jcoppola 52]

how 'bout a picture of the danbury truck?

[IzzyEng4 427]

Seth,

I'll find out when I start my new job!

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Danbury's new HAZMAT truck is a Ferrara but is mounted on an International Chassis. It is essentially a soda truck. It is not assigned as a Danbury Fire Department truck per say, but it belongs to the Northwest Regional Hazardous Materials Team, organized by CT Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (CT DEMHS.) From what members of my department have been told, the rig will be staffed by their EMS/HAZMAT Coordinator (I may be incorrect in his exact title) and another Danbury paid Firefighter who (I assume) will be a HAZMAT Technician. The rest of the team is almost entirely made up of volunteers who will proceed to scene in personal vehicles I believe. I'm not sure on all these details yet, but as I have put in an application to the team, I will find out more in September and will let you know.

Edit: A link to the NWR HAZMAT Team's website: www.geocities.com/nwrhazmatteam

Edited August 21, 2007 by SageVigiles

[DFD801 0]

At this time the plans for the Hazmat rig are not finalized, so anything mentioned here is purely speculation.