Lancaster County has the region’s first hazardous materials medical unit
Lancaster County is the first in the Susquehanna Valley to introduce a new type of rescue team. The HazMat 2 Medical Unit will not respond to typical 911 calls. Instead, it’s the first in the region dedicated to responding to hazardous material situations. “We are training for the next worst day,” said medical director Dr. Michael Reihart. The unit is part of the Lancaster County Hazardous Materials Team, a non-profit organization that handles hazmat calls. HazMat 2 will use special medical supplies and equipment, and it will be manned by volunteer paramedics. “We have specially trained people who are there to get themselves into a dangerous situation and save lives,” Reihart said. spent to become a paramedic. “Everyone here is training to improve because that’s what they want to do,” Chef Benjamin Herskowitz said. The main objective of the team, according to paramedic Rob Walker, is “to be able to take this specialist hazardous materials advanced life support directly to the scene so we don’t have to wait to get to the hospital to provide these people with any antidotes or medications they need. The hazmat team typically receives around 150 calls a year. The new medical unit should be ready to hit the road in a few weeks .
Lancaster County is the first in the Susquehanna Valley to introduce a new type of rescue team.
The HazMat 2 Medical Unit will not respond to typical 911 calls. Instead, it’s the first in the region dedicated to responding to hazardous material situations.
“We are training for the worst day ahead,” said medical director Dr. Michael Reihart.
The unit is part of the Lancaster County Hazardous Materials Team, a non-profit organization that handles hazmat calls.
HazMat 2 will use special medical supplies and equipment, and it will be manned by volunteer paramedics.
“We have specially trained people who are there to get themselves into a dangerous situation and save lives,” Reihart said.
The training to become a paramedic includes approximately 80 hours of work in addition to the two years initially devoted to becoming a paramedic.
“Everyone here is training to improve because that’s what they want to do,” Chef Benjamin Herskowitz said.
The main goal of the team, according to paramedic Rob Walker, is “to be able to bring these specialized advanced life support hazardous materials directly to the scene so that we don’t have to wait until you get to the hospital to provide these people with the antidotes or medication they need. »
“It’s a matter of life and death, but more importantly, it’s a life-saving thing and that’s what it’s all about,” Reihart said.
The Hazmat team typically receives around 150 calls per year.
The new medical unit should be ready to hit the road in a few weeks.