New Bedford Fire Dept. HazMat Techs drill for cold storage ammonia leaks to prevent fatalities

“The City of New Bedford is home to a large number of cold storage facilities, utilizing anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant, along its working waterfront and in other areas of the City.

Anhydrous ammonia leaks occur several times a year in these large refrigeration systems. A fatality from an ammonia leak in Needham, MA that occurred in late 2022, shows the need for the ability to make rapid rescues at these incidents.

Today, New Bedford Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technicians received training in the equipment and techniques necessary to conduct rescues in an ammonia rich environment. The training was paid for with an HMEP (Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness) Grant and conducted by The Hazmat Guys. The training suits were loaned to us for use by the FDNY.

We would like to thank our Hazmat Coordinator FF Travis Rebello and EMA Director Brian Nobrega for applying for and successfully obtaining the grant funding and Safeware Inc. for their assistance in setting up the training class.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Fire Department: