How SERT Hazmat Uses D4H to Transform Record Keeping Capabilities for Audits

Customer Background

The Southwest Emergency Response Team (SERT-HazMat) is a regional asset that provides hazardous material response to the 19 communities belonging to the Southwest Council of Governments, located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

This Type II team serves a population of approximately 400,000 within 182 square miles. SERT- HazMat has 62 members who engage in monthly team training at various locations. This training includes a review of new and existing equipment, changes in metering technology, biological response, chemical response and working with local FBI and Civil Support Teams.

The Challenge

Since its inception in 2002, the Ohio HazMat Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has worked with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) to improve public safety response to incidents involving hazardous materials in Ohio.

The Hazmat TAC has developed and implemented a plan to ensure rapid response of well trained and appropriately equipped hazmat teams to every area of the state of Ohio. This process included developing a required equipment list (REL), training and personnel requirements, protocols for regional and statewide mutual aid response and dispatch guidelines for the public safety Hazmat teams providing mutual aid through the Ohio Fire Response Plan.

The Hazmat TAC has also assisted public safety hazmat teams in self-verifying as a National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type I, II or III team based on their equipment and capabilities.

The Solution

In order to fully comply with NIMS Team Typing, Ohio HazMat TAC set up a verification process for voluntary inspection. This means inspections teams visit each HazMat team and verify that they meet their typing requirements under up to 112 criteria. The use of D4H proved instrumental during the recent state audit of the SERT-HazMat team by Ohio Hazmat TAC. The team was easily able to verify their capabilities under the 112 criteria at the click of a mouse during a single inspection.

“What we’re able to do with D4H is a revolution for our team. It’s like having an additional Team Director on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.”
— Nick Zaminska, Director of the SERT-HazMat Team Typing, Verification, and Inspection.

D4H not only proved instrumental during the recent audit but also in preparation for the recent Republican National Convention, ensuring the team was ready to go for its next tasking.