Hazmat 1 is stationed at Chico Fire Station 1.
Hazmat 64, the second Level A response unit that covers the south county, is located at Butte County Fire Station 64 in Kelly Ridge.
Hazmat Support 1 is stationed at Oroville Fire Department Station 1.
Hazmat Specialists testing unknown chemicals.
Hazardous Materials
The Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Joint Powers Agreement was initiated in December 1990 by the County of Butte and the five cities in Butte County - Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, and the Town of Paradise. It is governed by the Fire Chiefs of the six signatory agencies.
The key components of the JPA are:
- Establishment and equipping of a countywide Hazardous Materials Response Team with a maximum membership of 40 fire department personnel.
- Each entity provides State certified Hazardous Materials Specialists and a small ten cents per capita financial contribution commensurate to their overall percentage of total county population.
- Operation of two Type 1/Level A response units, one stationed in Chico and one stationed in Kelly Ridge.
- Dispatching of the closest on-duty Specialists to any hazardous materials incident regardless of jurisdiction.
- The JPA provides all emergency response services, but it is not responsible for cleanup or removal of hazardous materials.
- Accepting additional funding from donations, grants, billing for services, and court ordered restitution.
The Response Agency establishes training and operational standards in accordance with applicable law and regulation. In early 2006, a third response unit designated for mass decontamination and rehabilitaion was located in the City of Oroville. As Homeland Security first responders, the team is trained and equipped to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. The team works closely with the County Environment Health and Agriculture departments.
Chico Fire Department provides 11 of the 40 authorized state certified Specialist positions on the team. The closest Specialists are dispatched to any hazardous materials emergency, regardless of jurisdiction.