A new HAZMAT vehicle worth $100,000 rolled into Lithgow Fire and Rescue station six weeks ago and has now been officially handed over by Paul Toole MP.
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Ray Buchanan, a NSW Fire and Rescue Duty Commander, said Lithgow’s two HAZMAT vans are mostly used to respond to truck spills on highways but are used in any incident where there is a biological, chemical, or radioactive threat to the environment or community.
“We have these vans strategically located across the state to minimise wait time,” Mr Buchanan said.
As one of Fire and Rescue NSW’s Combat Agencies for Hazardous Materials, all staff at Lithgow’s stations receive intermediate HAZMAT training to assist other stations nearby.
“We assisted with a major spillage up in Katoomba,” said Lithgow Station Officer Noel Ford.
“Our old van was about 12 years old, this one’s a little longer, taller and more comfortable to use.”
Mr Ford said the station also uses the van in case of house fires involving asbestos and spillages on local waterways.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the new van would help keep firefighters safe.
“It has special equipment for hazardous material incidents such as gas detectors, absorbent booms, and bins for disposing hazardous waste.”
The van also carries breathing apparatus for firefighters to use in HAZMAT incidents.
