New Bedford Firefighter wins HazMat Award from International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)

“Congratulations to New Bedford Firefighter/Hazmat Technician, Travis Rebello!!!

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) HazMat Award winners at the 2023 HazMat conference. Travis Rebello, Keith Silverman, Armando Bevelacqua, Donna Black (IAFC President), Dr. Christina Baxter, and Andy Byrnes.

Congratulations to all.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Firefighter Travis Rebello with BCSO trainied ‘Kona,’ and BCSO Captain Paul Douglas. New Bedford Fire Department photo.

In February 2020, Firefighter Travis Rebello received his new K-9 partner ‘Kona,’ after graduating from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Canine Academy. Kona was assigned to Firefighter Rebello and is certified to detect chemical and biological WMDs including fentanyl. Kona became the New Bedford Fire Department’s first four-legged first responder.

Kona works side by side with other WMD detection canines deployed by other agencies whose canines are trained in explosive and IED detection. Kona works events such as the New Bedford Half Marathon, Days of Portugal, and The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

In addition to his role as a New Bedford Firefighter, FF Rebello is also a member of the State Hazardous Materials Team and specializes in clandestine drug labs and their hazards. Kona successfully completed several months of training in order to successfully detect a wide range of chemicals and biological weapons.