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Hazardous materials

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is responsible for protecting the whole of New South Wales from hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents.

We have the authority to attend, combat and render safe any land-based or inland waterway spillage of hazardous materials within the State.

All fire stations are equipped with trained personnel and resources for dealing with hazmat incidents. Each fire station receives hazardous materials awareness training and equipment to combat minor spills of hydrocarbons, gas leaks and emergency decontamination procedures.

FRNSW has four specialist Hazardous Materials Response Units operating from Sydney (Greenacre and Alexandria),  Newcastle and Shellharbour. They have advanced capabilities in detection of toxic industrial chemicals, volatile substances and chemical warfare agents.

Intermediate hazardous materials response is delivered by 20 strategically located units, including 14 with a waterways response capability. Each unit is equipped with detection equipment and has the capability to access chemical databases with information on chemical, biological, radiological and toxic industrial chemical substances.