The Medina County All Hazards Team was formed in 1985 (until 2008, known as the Hazardous Materials Response Team) under the watchful eye of Bernie Kindall, the then Fire Chief of the Westfield Center Fire Department. Bernie recognized the need when numerous truck stops were built in his township near the intersection of Interstates 71 and 224. Bernie spent many hours negotiating with Medina County Commissioners and the Medina County Fire Chief’s Association to find the funding to equip and operate the team.
From the mid 90’s to 2014, the team was overseen by the City of Medina’s Assistant Fire Chief Doug Kreuder; who, like Bernie, spent many hours preparing and managing the highly sophisticated equipment necessary for an emergency response. The team is currently lead by Valley City Fire Department Assistant Chief Greg Smith.
The team’s structure and funding served as the model for the creation of the Medina County Technical Rescue Team, which includes Rope, Confined Space, Trench, and Structural Collapse, and you will find many of the same dedicated members on both rosters.
The Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue Teams combined in order to provide extra manpower and equipment to more efficiently mitigate emergencies in the county.
To date the team consists of 40 members, 25 technical rescue and 15 hazmat, and it utilizes a fleet of 3 hazmat vehicles and trailers, 3 technical rescue trailers, 3 MCI trailers, an Incident Management Assistance Team Trailer and EMA’s Mobile Command & Communications Vehicle. The team holds regular trainings on Sundays from 8am to noon.
The Medina County All Hazards Team was formed in 1985 (until 2008, known as the Hazardous Materials Response Team) under the watchful eye of Bernie Kindall, the then Fire Chief of the Westfield Center Fire Department. Bernie recognized the need when numerous truck stops were built in his township near the intersection of Interstates 71 and 224. Bernie spent many hours negotiating with Medina County Commissioners and the Medina County Fire Chief’s Association to find the funding to equip and operate the team.
From the mid 90’s to 2014, the team was overseen by the City of Medina’s Assistant Fire Chief Doug Kreuder; who, like Bernie, spent many hours preparing and managing the highly sophisticated equipment necessary for an emergency response. The team is currently lead by Valley City Fire Department Assistant Chief Greg Smith.
The team’s structure and funding served as the model for the creation of the Medina County Technical Rescue Team, which includes Rope, Confined Space, Trench, and Structural Collapse, and you will find many of the same dedicated members on both rosters.
The Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue Teams combined in order to provide extra manpower and equipment to more efficiently mitigate emergencies in the county.
To date the team consists of 40 members, 25 technical rescue and 15 hazmat, and it utilizes a fleet of 3 hazmat vehicles and trailers, 3 technical rescue trailers, 3 MCI trailers, an Incident Management Assistance Team Trailer and EMA’s Mobile Command & Communications Vehicle. The team holds regular trainings on Sundays from 8am to noon.
