Hazmat Specialists Present Demonstration at William Penn Fire Company

The William Penn Fire Company in Middletown Township held their open house fire prevention day at their Oxford Valley station on Sunday.

“We’re just getting out to let the community know what to do,” said Ray Guy, the chairman of the fire prevention committee at the William Penn Fire Company.

One of the main draws of the fire prevention event was the presence of the Bucks County Hazardous Incidents Response Team, with representation by Bob Prato.

“We respond to things that fall outside of the realm of firefighters, police, and the EMS,” Prato said. “We handle what they can’t.”

Prato explained that the Hazmat team of Bucks is usually only called out in full force about four or five times a year.

“Usually if we get called, someone is having a really bad day,” said Prato in a light tone.

The equipment utilized by the team and present at the event have very strong capabilities, as explained by Prato, “Some of our equipment has the ability to detect 10,000 to 30,000 different chemicals,” explained Prato.

However, most of the incidents in the county consist of more common chemicals, including Gasoline, fuel oil, chlorine peroxide, mercury, etc.

“I think that we’re pretty well equipped in case there is a situation,” said Diane Hoffman, a visitor of the event.

“We’re always ready,” Prato affirmed.