Arrowhead Association Vows To Support State Haz Mat Teams: Potential Cutbacks Spur Resolution
The Arrowhead Regional Firefighters' Association has come out in strong support of the state's Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) teams. In a resolution adopted at its December 2, 2001 meeting in Grand Rapids, the association unanimously opposed the possible elimination of three Emergency Response Teams (ERT) and one Chemical Assessment Team (CAT). The action stems from reports of potential funding cutbacks in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, with several of the teams being targeted for the cuts. Governor Jesse Ventura had recently informed state department heads that he wants them to trim their budgets by two and a half percent, thus sparking proposals for funding cuts. In northeastern Minnesota, the Duluth Fire Department operates an Emergency Response Team and a Chemical Assessment Team, while the Grand Rapids Fire Department operates a Chemical Assessment Team. "These teams play a vital role in the area," said Arrowhead President Bob Brown. "We can't afford to have them eliminated or reduced. Fire departments in this region simply don't have the resources to contain Haz Mat incidents, it's as simple as that. While these cutbacks may be mere proposals at this time, we have to take any reductions very seriously."