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Section Four: On-Scene Operations and Critical Tasks The Eugene Fire & EMS Department utilizes a two-tiered approach to incidents requiring special operations capabilities. Each line company has personnel trained to the "Operations" or similar level in hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and water rescue, along with limited equipment for these functions. Of additional benefit to the community is the fact that many technical and specialist personnel are also available as part of regular fire companies on a daily basis. These companies respond when dispatched as they would to other emergencies. Upon arrival, they assess whether they can mitigate the emergency with their own resources or if the special tools and expertise of the specialty teams are required. Specialty teams may be dispatched on the initial alarm, or may be requested by first arriving companies based on their size-up of the incident. In addition to the three specialty teams and ARFF unit, the Eugene Fire & EMS Department is routinely called upon to provide special standby coverage for events such as the 4th of July Freedom Festival, Butte to Butte race, Lane County Fair, Eugene Celebration, University of Oregon sporting events, and known or anticipated civil disturbance protests and activity. Many of these events involve special services and contingency planning from local agencies. Hazardous Materials The HazMat Team is assigned to Fire Station 6 (Sheldon). The team responds out of this location primarily because there is available space, it is located near the center of Lane County, and it has good response avenues to three freeways which are primary transportation corridors for chemical delivery. The team operates as one of 14 State of Oregon regional HazMat Emergency Response Teams and, as such, is approximately 50% revenue-backed by the State. Hazardous materials response and mitigation services are provided on a special call basis, to control and mitigate accidental chemical releases. As a regional team, these services are provided to all of Lane County on a primary response basis, and to the rest of the State on a mutual aid response basis to support one of the other regional teams. As noted above, the team consists of 18 personnel deployed on the three shifts. Personnel are state-certified to the Specialist level, which requires four weeks of training. There are no proposed budget cuts for this team in the foreseeable future. When an incident presents a hazardous materials spill, release, or exposure requiring skills and equipment beyond the scope of those trained to the HazMat Operations level, Eugene's Hazardous Materials Team is requested. While en route, the team communicates by radio and cellular telephone with the on-scene Incident Commander and various state agencies to begin designing specific operational priorities specific to the incident. Upon arrival, the HazMat Team is designated as the HazMat Branch or Group under the Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure. The Team Leader or Supervisor confers with the Incident Commander to further assess: 45