Members of the Department of Fire Service have been trained to function to the “Operational” level of hazardous materials response (29 CFR 1919.120). In accordance with guidelines set forth by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP) and CONN-OSHA, personnel operate in a defensive fashion but can mitigate a limited number of minor spills/leaks in an offensive mode.
The response to hazardous materials incidents involves steps that include: site management, product identification, risk assessment, personal protective equipment, information/resource coordination, product control, decontamination and termination. The prevention of hazardous material incidents is achieved through aggressive code enforcement and the application and adoption of recognized safety standards. The North Haven Fire Department is a member of the New Haven Area Special Hazards Team supporting the South Division with apparatus, personnel and equipment.