CONNECT with the CityHazmat Team
Based on FIRESCOPE specifications, the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Team is a Type 1, WMD-capable team consisting of 28 full-time members, ranging in rank from Firefighter to Battalion Chief. The team operates out of one or more centrally located fire stations within the City of San Diego. They operate two heavy apparatus funded by the City of San Diego and a third heavy apparatus provided by Cal OES. The frontline hazmat apparatus is cross-staffed, while the OES apparatus is staffed on an overtime basis for statewide deployments. The 28-member team is divided into three divisions (A, B, and C), ensuring 24/7 coverage.
To support operational flexibility, the SDFD maintains a 76-member relief pool encompassing all ranks. Combined, the permanent and relief team members bring the total Hazmat Team to 104 personnel.
This number may surge beyond 104 based on budgetary allocations and operational needs.
Hazmat Program Manager
The Hazmat Program Manager position is an administrative Battalion Chief who reports to the Deputy Chief of Special Operations and coordinates with the three Operations Hazmat Battalion Chiefs.
San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ)
The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) Hazardous Materials Division is composed of Ten (10) CSTI-certified Hazardous Materials Specialists.
Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT)
The Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) is a collaboration between the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) and the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ). Together, they respond to, investigate, identify, contain, and mitigate chemical emergencies across the 18 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. SDFD hazmat personnel have primary responsibility for mitigation and control efforts, while DEHQ hazmat personnel focus on health and safety. However, both entities operate as a seamless, integrated resource, cross-trained to provide comprehensive coverage in all areas of response service.
History
Since 1981, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) and the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) hazmat teams have been jointly providing emergency response to hazardous materials incidents as the San Diego Hazardous Materials Incident Response Team (HIRT) to all 18 cities and unincorporated areas of the San Diego County . These services are delivered to the San Diego Unified Disaster Council’s (UDC) Member Agencies under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) through a binding contract.
Mission
The mission of the Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) is to safeguard the health and safety of all communities in San Diego County through exemplary emergency hazardous materials response and environmental protection. At the core of our operations are dedicated personnel, highly trained and committed to excellence, who engage closely with our community to foster trust and ensure responsiveness in times of need.
Driven by vision and innovation, we continually evolve to deliver the highest quality service. Collaborating seamlessly with our strong partner, the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), we uphold rigorous standards to mitigate risks and safeguard our environment. Central to our mission is the well-being of our personnel. We prioritize their health and safety as they execute vital duties, embodying reliability and leadership in hazardous materials response across San Diego County.
Together, we uphold our commitment to protecting our communities and environment with diligence and dedication.
Join the Hazmat Team
Minimum Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements
To become a member of the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Team, you must meet the following qualifications and requirements:
- Firefighter (non-probationary status)
- “Satisfactory” or higher rating for the last employee performance rating period
- Not on a Performance Development Plan
- Not on a Last Chance Agreement or “Conditions of Continuing Employment” within the last two years
- No sustained discipline of suspension consistent with the bar to promotion in Article 43 (c) of the Local 145 MOU or higher within the last two years
Hazardous Materials Technician
- California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Accredited Hazardous Materials Technician
- This course is a 160-hour program that is designed to provide the requisite knowledge, fundamentals of chemistry, and monitoring and manipulative training to prepare trainees for duty on a Hazardous Materials Response Team.
- A minimum two-year commitment in a permanent or relief capacity on the hazmat team.
Recruitment
- The Hazmat program is proactive in recruitment to maintain a high level of staffing in all ranks. It is the Hazmat Program Manager's responsibility to monitor team members' status regarding promotions, leaves of absence, or any other factors that may cause vacancies.
- Once vacancies are identified, the Hazmat Program Manager, with permission from the Deputy Chief of Special Operations, will advertise the recruitment via a bulletin on the department’s communication platform. The bulletin will clearly specify the ranks needed, along with the application process and training details.
