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Program Overview • Hazardous Materials Officers • Regional Hazardous Materials Response Teams
The Technological Hazards Division's primary function is to provide assistance to local jurisdictions in emergency situations. This assistance can take several forms depending upon the incident severity and the capability of local responders.
General information on product identification, specific chemical data or incident mitigation advice is available on a 24-hour basis from one or more of the Hazardous Materials Officers (HMOs). These officers can work with other state resources, industry representatives and technical consultants to provide vital information to emergency responders on scene.
Assistance can also include an on-scene response by VDEM HMOs/a regional response team. Once on scene, these officers can provide technical assistance and advice or serve as liaison to other agencies or groups. These officers are prepared to conduct offensive control actions to include entry for reconnaissance, stabilization and product confinement.
THD maintains specialized detection and monitoring equipment, specialized protective clothing and product control devices. On-scene responses can be made by ground or air transportation and are available on a 24-hour basis throughout the Commonwealth by request through the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.