This entity has been thrust to the forefront of the biological, environmental threat that exists in the world and has lived up to the challenge. While the threat still exists and as Anthrax related incidents continue to occur, people will live in some fear and to answer those feelings with reassurance, In the face of biological environmental threats and Anthrax related incidents, quietude and reassurance are the operative standards for the Laredo Fire Department's Haz Mat Unit.
In recent months, the Hazardous Materials Unit has adapted to fulfill what has become a very demanding role. In the month of October 2001, the City's Fire and Police departments together responded to over 200 calls related to suspicious mail and possible Anthrax exposed objects. To handle this demand, Fire Chief Luis F. Sosa created a Hazardous Materials Emergency Response System, HAMERS. A three-member group of Hazardous Materials Technicians are the first responders to such a call. After assessing the situation, they call in for reinforcements or elect to contain the material and turn it over to Police, who will have the material tested. This system enables three teams of three people each to respond more quickly and to be more flexible in their response to many calls in different areas. It also saves resources by keeping the main Haz-Mat response vehicle in place unless it is absolutely necessary on a response.
While the recent demand has lessened, the Hazardous Materials team stands ready for any situation.
"Ever since NAFTA trade commerce began to move through Laredo we have been preparing our fire department for any type of incident," said Fire Chief Luis F. Sosa. "I am confident that the fire department is capable of responding to any haz mat incidents, no matter how severe. With our 11-year history of experience in that area, we are one step ahead of any community in South Texas. We have the highest level of preparedness, with 30 state-certified haz-mat technicians," the chief said.
With Laredo designated federally as the major international crossing for Hazardous Cargo in the region, preparedness for any scenario is a high priority for the Haz-Mat team. One of the worse case scenarios for which the Laredo team is prepared is the possibility of a hazardous spill on an international bridge, which has the dangerous potential of leaking into the Río Grande, the only source of drinking water for the two Laredos and millions of downriver residents.
While the Fire Department routinely aids in river rescues for people, the idea of rescuing the river itself is tremendous and grave and well considered by the Fire Department. "We are committed to this, and we have formulated the River Haz-Mat Response Team," Chief Sosa said. Over the last three years, two different Laredo fire crews have attended a customized field-training course in France, emphasizing Haz-Mat River Containment.
To protect the city's water source the Fire Department has attained sophisticated equipment that consists of anchors, diesel and electric skimmers, 1,000 feet of containment booms, two boats and a utility trailer for transport. The equipment is specific to containing hydrocarbons. The department has plans to improve and expand the services to be able to contain any kind of spill. Firefighters continually train at Lake Casa Blanca and this unit is awaiting approval to expand their training by actually testing the devices in the international waters of the Río Grande.
The Laredo Fire Department has 274 firefighters cross-trained in many disciplines. Thirty individuals are state certified hazardous material technicians and the remainder of the force trained in Haz-Mat Awareness.
As the world and the United States continues its war on terrorism, the realization of the need of trained emergency personnel has been well documented in the national news media. Laredoans can rest assured the City has reached a level of preparedness like no other and will continue to maintain a high standard in this regard.