The Jericho Fire Department, recognizing the need for more advanced chemical detection capabilities, recently acquired two new multi-gas detector devices that have the ability to detect numerous toxic chemicals using photo-ionization detection (PID) technology.

PID technology enhances the safety factor for the volunteer responders by identifying toxic chemicals, including several chemical warfare agents, at low levels that cannot be detected by any other means. This detector will help the department when it is called to respond to hazardous materials alarms, including carbon monoxide alarms, gas leaks, and investigations for other unknown or suspicious odor calls.

"On a daily basis, this department may be called upon to respond to incidents where hazardous materials may be present," said John Lottes, Chief of the Department. "This technology enhances the margin of safety for our responders by being able to sense the presence of hazardous materials at extremely low levels. By being able to sense these toxic chemicals, the likelihood of unnecessarily putting our members at risk is greatly reduced."

The detectors, manufactured by RAE Systems, are the only device currently available that detects atmospheres that are deficient in oxygen, detects flammable gases or vapors, has sensors for specific toxic gases (carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide) and a detector for a broad range of toxic chemicals using the PID technology. According to Lottes, its compact size and ease of operation are ideal for uses such as confined space entry, investigations following the activation of household carbon monoxide detectors and for unknown chemical spills that may be encountered by emergency responders.

The Jericho Fire District's Board of Fire Commissioners recognized the importance of these detectors and due to age-related maintenance issues on the old detectors, authorized their emergency purchase at a recent meeting. The acquisition of these detectors, according to Chief Lottes, is the first in Nassau County. The Jericho Fire Department has held trainings for its members on their use and now carries the detectors on its Heavy Rescue Truck, Unit 949, which responds on all hazardous materials-type alarms.

After September 11, 2001, homeland security has been a pressing issue in New York and throughout the country and this device better protects the responders against possible bio-terrorism attacks. "We are not going to deliberately go into a hazardous zone," said Lottes. "If we end up in a hot zone it is because of a mistake especially in regard to chemical agents. This will better protect our volunteers."

The Jericho Fire Department is currently accepting applications for new fire and emergency medical service responders. For more information about membership, contact the chief's office at 931-3546, ext. 202.