☣️ Hazardous Materials Response Team
In 1983, fire departments throughout Lake County were faced with new state and federal regulations governing the response and handling of hazardous materials incidents. The training, equipment, and staffing required to meet these standards proved too costly for individual departments to maintain independently.
To address this challenge, the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association organized a regional Specialized Response Team (SRT), pooling resources, personnel, and funding from all Lake County fire departments. In 2005, McHenry County fire departments joined this partnership, forming the current Lake and McHenry Counties Hazardous Materials Response Team.
Zion’s Role in the Team
The Zion Fire & Rescue Department has been a proud participant in the SRT since its inception. While all Zion personnel receive basic training in hazardous materials awareness and operations, the department designates two members as active participants on the county team, representing Zion at the regional level.
Zion Team Members
- FF/PM Ian Kennedy
- FF/PM Nick Urbanik
Team Equipment and Capabilities
Through combined departmental funding and generous support from local industry partners, the team has grown into a highly capable force of approximately 160 trained technicians. The SRT operates two specialized response vehicles equipped with:
- State-of-the-art chemical and atmospheric monitoring instruments
- Computers and advanced communication systems
- Level A and B hazardous materials suits
- Decontamination and spill control equipment
- Reference materials, tools, and safety gear for complex operations
The Zion Fire & Rescue Department’s ongoing participation in the Lake and McHenry Counties Hazardous Materials Response Team ensures that our community and the region remain ready to respond to any hazardous emergency — safely, efficiently, and with the highest level of professionalism.