Hazardous Materials Team
Haz-Mat team members use special protective suits when responding to dangerous spills, leaks, and other situations.
Station 17 & 93
2308A SW 42nd Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
The Broward Sheriff's Office Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team responds to the accidental or intentional release of dangerous biological, chemical or nuclear agents into the environment. Typically, the team responds to spills of liquid and gaseous agents resulting from container failure, transportation accidents or human error and most frequently deals with fuel spills and propane gas leaks.
BSO's Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team responds to the accidental or intentional release of dangerous biological, chemical or nuclear agents into the environment. Typically, the team responds to spills of liquid and gaseous agents resulting from container failure, collisions and human error and most frequently deals with fuel spills and propane and other gas leaks.
Formed in 1986, the Haz-Mat team is based at Station 17 in Ft. Lauderdale. Team members must complete 160 hours of special training and be certified as hazardous materials technicians before applying for assignment to the team.
In recent years, new emphasis has been placed on the unit's response to acts of domestic terrorism including the intentional release of chemical and biological agents such as nerve gas and anthrax. Additional training, drills and mock events afford team members with detection, neutralization, medical treatment and large-scale civilian evacuation experience.
The Haz-Mat Team operates with a specially equipped tractor-trailer containing computerized detection and monitoring equipment, communications systems, a mobile weather station, protective clothing and remedial supplies.
