Washtenaw County HazMat Team Wins Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2006

ANN ARBOR, MI The Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team won first place in the annual statewide HazMat Team Challenge conducted during Michigans Emergency Management Summit held outside of Traverse City on October 8, 2006.

Vic Chevrette, HazMat Team Director, said, After three years of participating in the Challenge, it feels great.  We won second place two years in a row, and this year we put the icing on the cake.  Spirits are high for all involved. 

Washtenaw Countys team members participating in the challenge this year were Scott Maddison from the Ypsilanti Fire Department, Brad Tanner from the Ann Arbor Fire Department, Jeff French from Superior Townships Fire Department, and Craig Liggett from Pittsfield Townships Fire Department.

For achieving first place, each team member received golf towels and hats, annual HazMat Challenge commemorative coins and award ribbons.  The team received two cases of patient carriers, two Level A" training suits, and two Dupont Level A chemical resistant suits all valued at about five thousand dollars not to mention bringing home the states first place prize trophy which will be returned for next years competition.

Four other Teams entered the competition, including the Western Wayne County HazMat Team, the Sterling Heights HazMat Team, the Owosso County HazMat Team and the Grand Rapids HazMat Team.  The Challenge consisted of practical skills exercises that evaluated how each team handled the same set of hazardous materials emergencies.  Emphasis was placed on the appropriateness of actions taken, team efficiency and safety.

Director Chevrette commented, We are here to protect the citizens and to support Washtenaw County businesses.  Our goal is to make sure that all members of our team are trained and ready for any hazardous materials or homeland security emergency that may arise.

Washtenaw Countys HazMat Team consists of fifty-five firefighters with advanced response training from local fire departments.  The Team is governed by the Hazardous Materials Response Team Authority Board for Washtenaw County and Adjacent Communities.

For additional information, please contact HazMat Team Director Vic Chevrette at (734) 564-4675.