The Paulding County Emergency Management Agency recently put into service a new Emergency Response Trailer for hazardous material incidents. The trailer was purchased through EMPG Funds and Cost Recovery Monies from hazardous material incidents in the county.
EMA Director Edward Bohn stated that when an incident occurs within Paulding County when hazardous materials are released and the local fire department(s) and EMA is called out to handle the incident, the party that is responsible, is also responsible for reimbursement. The fire department(s) are reimbursed for their costs for apparatus, personnel and equipment. The EMA gathers all the bills together and submit it to the insurance companies.
Director Bohn said, “the monies paid to the EMA go into a Cost Recovery account, so that equipment used at the scene can be replaced. The supplies and equipment within the trailer were all purchased with cost recovery monies.” The Emergency Response Trailer is equipped with a variety of absorbent materials such as 8” absorbent booms for materials in water ways, ditches creeks and narrowing areas of the two rivers in Paulding County. Some of the other absorbent materials are absorbent pads, 3” absorbent socks and “Peatsorb”, which is a lightweight non-biodegradable, natural organic absorbent made from 100% Canadian Sphagnum peat moss.
Other equipment on the trailer includes PPE (personal protective equipment). Level “B” Haz-Mat suits, various gloves of different materials, boots, hard hats and other PPE. The other tools, equipment and kits are all to be utilized in an Operations Level manner. The trailer will be taken around to the eight fire departments in the county to have the fire fighters and EMTs familiarize themselves with the equipment and locations on the trailer.
