The role of firefighters isn't what it used to be. Many are training in weapons of mass destruction. About once a week, members of the Wayne Township Fire Department eat and train together at Station 881 on the city's west side.
Recently, some of the firefighters took their training a bit further and completed a weapons of mass destruction course at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama. The course is operated by the Department of Homeland Security where firefighters learn the dangers of hazardous materials.
"This is not training we are going to get from a book," Capt. Robert Crouch with the Wayne Township Fire Department said.
They also participated in the course trying on green suits, getting help from their partners. They know a potentially dangerous task is ahead.
"They have the proper ventilation. They have the proper security, very tight security," Capt. Crouch said.
They also have special equipment.
"We went into a chamber where there was a live agent. We actually put equipment up against true VX agent," Capt. Crouch said.
A device that to the eye looks like a radar gun is a life-saving piece of equipment to the firefighter. It's used to test dangerous materials and VX, a deadly nerve agent stored at the Newport Chemical Depot near Terre Haute.
"One drop of this on your skin is going to kill you," Capt. Crouch said. "Anything that would happen here between this department's resources and the resources we have at our disposal from around the county, from around the state, and even from a federal level, we'll be able to handle anything short of a major catastrophe."
Members of the Wayne Township Fire Department HAZMAT team trained for 40 hours under OSHA rules and regulations.
