In 2004 Montgomery County, with support from the HazMat team started the HazMat Medic Program. Members of the HazMat medic team completed the Advanced HazMat Life Support Provider Program sponsored by MFRI. Special thanks to Captain Leroy Gross for his efforts in getting the team started. Work continues in writing protocols, SOG's, and training standards.

Feel free to contact us with any questions. HazMat and team related questions can be best answered by email or calling station 7 at (301) 652-0707.

 

On Thursday June 30, 2005 , at approximately 1115 Hrs., a Haz Mat Box, was dispatched for the former federal facility known as the Naval Ordinance Lab, which is located behind Fire Station 12. Upon the arrival of MCFRS units, a contractor informed, MFF Steve Wiseman, who was the officer on E121, that there was a compressed gas cylinder leaking, on the eastern portion of the 900 acre facility. Unified Command was immediately established upon the arrival of Battalion Chief Ed Radcliffe.  

The leaking cylinder was one of seventeen, that was discovered and placed together in a pile. The contents of all the cylinders were unknown, and both the valves and the cylinders were significantly corroded. Initial actions from responding personnel were to position approaching units upwind, and to isolate and deny entry into the area, where the leak was reported to be occurring.

The leak itself was small and caused by the heat from the sun increasing the internal pressure of the cylinder. This increased pressure forced the unknown material through the cylinder valve, causing a small light blue vapor to be visible. The good news was that the cylinders were located over 3/4 of a mile away from any populated area off of the facility. The cylinder was packed in dry ice, which lowered the internal pressure enough to cause the leak to subside.