Statesville Fire Department Hazmat Response Team Takes First Place at State Hazmat Challenge

The first portion of the competition included hands-on practical knowledge and skills in which the teams had to secure four leaks on four separate leak props. The props are designed to simulate leaking vessels such as railroad tank cars, highway tankers, and other hazardous materials storage containers and piping. Next the teams had to use their communication skills to complete a given task via radio. Using a diagram of an object, they instructed their team members in a different location on how to construct the object in the diagram via radio transmission alone. This exercise is designed to demonstrate a team’s ability to effectively communicate instructions during an emergency incident. Teams were scored on accuracy and the amount of time required to complete the task.