Charleston Fire Department Seeks Funding for New Hazardous Material Detection Devices

Charleston Fire Department Seeks Funding for New Hazardous Material Detection Devices

The Charleston, S.C. Fire Department is initiating efforts to upgrade its hazardous material detection and identification technologies. The department has been utilizing the same devices for seven years and is now seeking city approval to submit for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighter Grant. This grant offers financial support for the necessary needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.

According to fire department officials, the intention is to replace the older devices with two more advanced technologies capable of quickly detecting hazardous materials. This fast detection capability significantly reduces the exposure time for first responders to dangerous substances. The devices are primarily used in situations carrying high risk but occurring with low frequency, including highway transportation incidents, rail accidents, and port scenes.

New Technology for a Port City

Kevin Shealy, Council member for Charleston District 2 and Chairman of Public Safety, highlighted the need for an upgrade in technology, given the city’s port status. “We have a lot of items moving from ships to containers that go in railways or go in container trucks. If there is a spill or a leak, we need to have the very best technology we can to determine if there is an explosive on there or there is some kind of dangerous chemical,” said Shealy.

The forthcoming devices have a combined capacity to detect over 30,000 hazardous chemicals. They work cohesively or separately to identify unknown chemicals, which in turn aids first responders in the next steps of research and coordination.

Introducing RedWave ThreatID and XplorIR

The RedWave ThreatID is set to replace the existing device known as TruDefender FTi. This new device boasts a comprehensive library containing more than 27,000 hazardous chemicals, chemical warfare agents, explosives, and illicit drugs. Another device, RedWave XplorIR, will take the place of the ChemPro 100i. This unit can spot over 5,000 chemicals and chemical warfare agents. Furthermore, it can sample gases and vapors in under 20 seconds on average.

According to the officials, these two devices can be employed, irrespective of whether the substances in question are solid, liquid, or gas. The Charleston Fire Department has projected it will receive a little over $230 thousand in grant money to secure these devices. To match the grant, city officials will need to allocate approximately $20,000, which is expected to be budgeted in fiscal year 2025.

Assisting Firefighter Grant Facilitates Vital Resources

Fire officials acknowledge the value of opportunities like the Assistance to Firefighter Grant, which enables first responders to tap into resources crucial for community protection. Given that the majority of a municipality’s budget typically goes towards everyday equipment such as personal protection equipment, grants like this enable access to less frequently used but equally crucial items like these detection devices.

The city council will vote on the submission of the grant application at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Shealy is optimistic about council members going forward with the program.