For the first time, Manatee County’s Hazardous Materials Team (headed by Southern Manatee Fire Rescue) met with Sarasota County’s Hazardous Materials Team over three days of training. The goal of the training was to provide a better Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction response to the Florida Sun Coast. With each department sharing resources, improving communications, and developing a working relationship between each other, this coordinated event opened a path for each department to leverage the operational effectiveness of both teams. The training was held at the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport where SRQ Airport Fire Fighting crews participated in the inter agency training as well. Many thanks go out to the Airport Fire Department for hosting this training at their location which sits at the border between the two counties.
