DHSEM Technical Hazards Unit

New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Technical Hazards Unit has the responsibility of assisting in training first responders for a Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) transportation emergency, Hazardous Materials response training, EPCRA TIER II reporting and Rad/Nuke determent for the state of New Mexico.

A brief description of each program is provided below

Technical Hazards Unit Hazmat program: Responsible for the coordination of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) the Hazardous Materials Safety Board (HMSB), TIER 2 compliance,Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program along with training first responders in hazmat response.

Technical Hazards Unit WIPP program: Responsible for ensuring outreach to the public on transportation issues related to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and radiological response training for first responders should a WIPP incident occur.

Technical Hazards Unit Rad/Nuke program: Responsible to the citizens of New Mexico in detecting and reporting unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport radiological/nuclear (Rad/Nuke) material intended for use against the nation and state.

HazMat Overview

New Mexico’s Hazardous Materials Program

New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hazardous Materials program (HMP) has the responsibility of implementing the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Act (EPCRA) for the state of New Mexico.

The HMP is responsible for the coordination of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) the Hazardous Materials Safety Board (HMSB), TIER 2 compliance and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program.

The HMP coordinator is responsible for ensuring all the information from each of these areas is available on request. In an ongoing effort the Hazardous Materials Program assists in coordinating outreach to LEPCs to ensure modern compliance programs are established and that training needs are addressed.

The Hazardous Materials Program has assisted numerous Fire and Law enforcement agencies in the state with training grants and Distribution of the North American Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).

To date we have distributed over 38,000 ERG’s to first responders, law enforcement, health agencies, National Guard, US military installations, Prisons, Universities, training centers, fire academies and numerous other agencies across our state and Mexico.