Rock County hazmat team has new resource

By STEVE BENTON ( Contact ) Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009

Podcast Episode

WCLO's Steve Benton reports on a new resource for Rock County's level "B" hazmat team

ROCK COUNTY — Rock County's level "B" hazardous materials team has a new resource available to them for extremely dangerous incidents.

Janesville Deputy Fire Chief, Jim Jensen, says the Army's 54th Civil Support Team was initially formed to respond to reports of "weapons of mass destruction." That mission has been expanded to include responding to a variety of haz-mat incidents or threats.

The local haz-mat team worked with members of the 54th recently during an Emergency Management training exercise.

The 22 member team is made up of highly trained men and women who can assess a perceived threat or provide advice and facilitate military support to local government. The unit has highly sophisticated equipment for communications and chemical analysis.

Jensen says the 54th is available by phone to answer questions, but will also respond to high level incidents.

The deployment would be through the local Emergency Management office.

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