The Woonsocket Regional Hazardous Materials Team was created in 1980.  The Hazardous Materials Response (HAZMAT) is specialized technician level organized group of individuals who have the ability to performing work to handle, mitigate and control, actual or potential leaks or spills of hazardous substances requiring possible, close approach to the substance. The team members perform responses to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances for the purpose of controlled stabilization of the incident. The Regional Team is made of Highly Qualifed Hazardous Materials Technician Level Pro-Board Certified Members.  The regional team is made of firefighters from the City of Woonsocket, Town of Lincoln, Town of North Smithfield, Town of Cumberland, City of Central Falls and Town of Smithfield.  The team is funded by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and has the designation as a Tier 1 FEMA Team.  This regional team is responsible for the Blackstone Valley, Greater Woonsocket Region and parts of Northern Rhode Island.  The team response area is Pawtucket, Central Falls, North Providence, Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, North Smithfield, Woonsocket and the Town of Burriville.  The hazardous materials team works in collaboration with the North Providence Decon Team. The regional hazmat headquarters is located at 504 Fairmount Street in Woonsocket.  It houses Hazmat One (1), Hazmat Two (2) and the Flammable Liquids Task Force Trailer.  

The Hazmat Team utilizes state of the art detection in chemical analysis, equipment to aid in identifying, unknown, hazardous and non-hazardous substances. In addition to dealing with the routine, hazardous material, Emergency challenges, the Hazmat team members are trained in the identification and mitigation of hazardous materials associated with CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

Requests are made through the Incident commander at a particular situation. Requests for response can be made through Northern Control Regional Dispatch Center, The City of Woonsocket Fire Dispatch Center or contacting the Team Leader.   The Hazmat Team is capable of going out on Assesments or Full Scale Deployments.