Hazardous Materials
Firefighters assigned to this team are cross-trained to respond to and properly handle hazardous material incidents. Calls regarding carbon monoxide detectors/alarms continue to rise each year and all department personnel have been trained to respond to this type of incident. Gas detectors measuring carbon monoxide levels were obtained in 1995 and placed on all the District's ambulances.
West Metro crews receive a minimum of eight hours of HazMat training each year. Classes address poinsonous substances.
Station 2 houses the Hazardous Materials Decontamination vehicle, which is owned by Jefferson County, while Station 5 is West Metro's designated HazMat response station.
Hidden Hazards in your Home
Fall and winter are good times for citizens to re-examine storage areas and properly dispose of old materials that may pose fire, explosion and chemical hazards to a family. Home chemicals and cleaning materials are labeled for your protection. "Caution" is the least hazardous of materials, but may still be harmful to people if swallowed. "Warning" is the next highest danger level, while "Danger" means that you should take extra precautions to ensure the product label is followed and the container tightly sealed and stored.
Garages/sheds, under-counter storage areas and basements are common storage areas for chemicals and poisons. Dangerous, old products -- especially those that have crystallized or are stored in light-sensitive, amber-colored bottles -- should be properly disposed of as part of seasonal cleaning. Hazardous materials that should be monitored and carefully stored include:
- Fertilizer (a dangerous explosive when combined with diesel gas, as it was in the Oklahoma City bombing)
- Gasoline and kerosene (must be properly stored since even fumes create a high fire and explosion risk)
- Antifreeze (highly poisonous to pets)
- Furniture polish
- Paints, stains, thinners and solvents
- Cleaning products
- Pesticides
- Car batteries and oil
- Expired medicine
- Tires (create air hazardous when burning)
The factors that determine if a substance is a hazardous material include its ability to catch on fire, its corrosive potential and the toxicity of the material. Invisible, flammable vapors may be released into a home from improperly stored liquids or from spilled materials. Even common materials, like Drain-O, can turn dangerous and need to be properly stored and discarded.
A recent emergency call serves as a good illustration of common chemicals that can turn dangerous. A chemical "accident" in the 7700 block of Emerald Peak caused a family to temporarily evacuate their home after a spilled can of Drain-O reacted with chlorine bleach.
To help prevent such reactions, hazardous materials should be stored in marked, original containers and be placed away from children and pets in locked cabinets. Anytime a citizen can not remember the purchase date or doubts if the substance is still usable, the substance should be properly discarded. Hazardous materials should never be mixed with regular garbage.
Citizens in Jefferson County can dispose of hazardous materials at the Jefferson County Household Chemical Collection Center by calling 584-4646 for an appointment and more information regarding drop-off times, hours and fees.
For questions about the specific poison potential of a product, citizens can call the Rocky Mountain Poison Center at 629-1123 in the Denver Metro Area.
West Metro’s HazMat Team is also available for routine questions. As always, citizens should call 911 for an emergency.
Check your garage, basement and cupboards to make sure that any products with these labels are stored in their proper containers and locked away from small children.
