The History of Hazmat 2 Environmental Fire Rescue Company
Our History in Brief
Haz Mat 2 Environmental Fire Rescue Company is a dedicated team of highly trained professionals focused on safeguarding Lancaster County from the dangers of hazardous materials.
In 1983, four local fire companies—Eden, East Petersburg, Neffsville, and Southern Manheim Township—merged to create a specialized fire department focused on hazardous materials incidents. They obtained essential protective gear and specialized equipment and trained their members to respond effectively to such emergencies. The group needed a radio designation, so it was assigned the identifier 2-9. From that point on, the team became known as Haz Mat 2-9.
Thanks to the foresight of those four founding fire companies, Lancaster County was already well ahead in meeting these new federal requirements. In 1993, HazMat 2-9 formalized its commitment to the county by signing a multi-year agreement with Lancaster County to provide the necessary emergency response services as outlined by CERCLA.
To uphold a high standard of professionalism, Haz Mat 2-9 received certification as a state-approved hazardous materials response team through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. This certification, renewed every 4 years, requires the team to demonstrate its capabilities and meet strict state standards.
