What is the role of the HAZMAT team during an incident?

The role of the HAZMAT team during an incident is to safely manage and mitigate hazardous materials. This involves a range of critical tasks, including identifying the types and quantities of hazardous materials involved, assessing the risks they pose to people, property, and the environment, and implementing procedures to control and contain the hazardous substances. The HAZMAT team's expertise is essential for ensuring the safety of both first responders and the surrounding community. They employ specialized equipment and protective gear to handle the situation effectively, preventing further harm or escalation of the incident.

While documentation of the incident, regulation of environmental standards, and facilitation of public relations are important aspects of emergency response, they are not the primary focus of the HAZMAT team. Their main objective is to address the immediate dangers associated with hazardous materials, making the mitigation of those materials their central responsibility during an incident.