BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- The Battle Creek Fire Department announced that their Hazmat Team became the second in the state to finish the new certification process.

The team, composed of 18 members, was certified following Western Wayne County Hazmat, the latter team becoming officially validated in November 2021.

Designed to improve disaster response capabilities, the new process formed in collaboration with the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Training Center (EMHSTC) and the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).

“I am proud of our team’s expertise and commitment to responding to hazardous materials incidents,” said Brian Sturdivant, Battle Creek Fire Department Fire Chief. “This validation reinforces what we already knew: that we have a skilled and capable team ready to respond to these types of incidents here in Calhoun County and beyond.”  

Michigan is one of many states to have implemented the MABAS program, which facilitates emergency and fire response to the area.

There are currently 28 MABAS divisions in Michigan.