Regional Response Teams serve as a critical state-level resource made up of members from fire departments across Idaho. By bringing together RRTs from different regions, HazMat Week not only strengthens individual team capabilities but also encourages joint operations—so multiple teams can respond as one during large-scale emergencies.

Throughout the week, attendees participated in a series of technical, scenario-based classes led by subject matter experts. These courses focused on emerging threats, interagency coordination, and real-world response tactics. Training locations included the Boise Fire Training Center, Boise Fire Station 17, Union Pacific in Nampa, and Amalgamated Sugar in Weiser.

Participants learned how to safely identify unknown substances using field testing kits and classification tools, reviewed best practices for managing incidents involving compressed natural gas vehicles and fuel systems, worked alongside rail partners, and more.

The week concluded with a full-scale HazMat rail exercise, where professionals put their training to the test where they were evaluated on their communication, operational coordination, teamwork, and more in a simulated emergency event.

All three RRTs worked together to operate as one unified response. This level of integration reflects the long-term goal IOEM, and its partners have been working toward by building regional teams that can function seamlessly together when large-scale incidents demand it.

By investing in high-quality training and creating opportunities for collaboration with agencies across Idaho, IOEM is helping responders stay ready to protect their communities and reduce the impact of hazardous material incidents.