Highest Level of Hazardous Materials Response Capability Recognized in New York State
Mayor Mike Spano today announced that the Yonkers Fire Department (YFD) has officially been accredited as a Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), the highest level of hazardous materials response capability recognized in New York State, and the only accredited team in Westchester County.
“This is a tremendous achievement for our Yonkers Fire Department and for our entire City,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “Earning Type 1 accreditation means our firefighters are trained to the highest standards and ready to respond to the most technical, high-risk emergencies anywhere in the region. Yonkers is now home to one of the most capable hazmat teams in New York State, and that speaks to the professionalism, dedication, and courage of our men and women in the YFD.”
“This has been a tremendous team effort putting together all of the training and equipment requirements,” said Yonkers Fire Commissioner William Fitzpatrick. “This recognizes all of the hard work of our team being certified to the highest standards to respond to and mitigate hazardous materials incidents in Yonkers and the region.”
Type 1 accreditation recognizes departments equipped and certified to manage the most complex and high-risk hazardous materials incidents, including large-scale chemical, industrial, and transportation-related events.
This rigorous accreditation confirms that YFD meets the most demanding statewide standards for training, equipment, operational readiness, and response capability.
New York State Fire Administrator James B. Cable said, “I congratulate the Yonkers Fire Department on taking this step to achieve New York State accreditation as a Type I Hazardous Materials Response Team. This accreditation aligns with Federal standards, demonstrating the Department’s commitment to meeting State and National standards to respond to hazardous materials incidents as safely and effectively as possible.”
The certification ensures that Yonkers is fully prepared to lead or support multi-jurisdictional hazardous materials responses and strengthens statewide mutual aid capabilities through consistent standards and enhanced readiness.
