Untitled - Town of Windham

SOUTHEASTERN NH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DISTRICTWith the use of State Homeland Security Program Grant funds, this year we added a Firefighting FoamTrailer which carries 500 gallons of specialized firefighting foam that is capable for use on gasoline firescontaining ethanol, as well as providing a vapor suppressing blanket for chemical spills. The trailer alsohas firefighting hoses, nozzles, a generator and floodlights. This new trailer is an important asset to theDistrict members, as all gasoline used in the State is blended with ethanol. This unit is the only resourceof this type within the State.FIREFIGHTING FOAM TRAILER:This mobile apparatus carries theteam’s equipment which includeschemical detection and identificationinstruments, containment supplies,plugging, patching and interventionsupplies, communication equipment,computer based and other chemicalreference guides as well as chemicalprotective equipment. The teamequipment is stores at variouslocations within the District, allowing for rapid deployment when the team is activated. Activation of theteam is made by the request of the local incident commander through the Derry Fire DepartmentDispatch Center.RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING: In 2012 the Emergency Response Team completed 1970 hours oftraining, during monthly training drills and specialized classes attended by team members. This includedhazardous materials refresher training, “Hot Zone” operations, cargo tank workshop, public safetysampling procedures, facility familiarization, transportation emergencies, and Incident Command.The Team provided training to member fire departments, in various Hazardous Materials subjects. Inaddition, the District received a grant to provide training to all member departments on the operation ofthe Firefighting Foam Trailer and ethanol fires.EMERGENCY RESPONSES: In 2012 the Team responded to 15 incidents within the District. Theseincidents included requests for technical assistance for member departments where a Response TeamLeader provides consultation to the fire department on the handling of an incident. Additionally, teamresponses included hydrocarbon fuel spills and assisting the NH State Police Bomb Squad and localpolice departments with identifying unknown substances. The mobile command post was also used tosupport member departments during large scale incidents.For further information about the Southeastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials District please visitour website at www.senhhazmat.orgRespectfully submitted,Richard H. SnowSelectman, CandiaChair, Board of DirectorsRespectfully submitted,Chief Thomas McPherson, Jr.Windham Fire DepartmentChair, Operations Committee2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 125 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH