CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Fire Department has added a new hazardous materials field screening unit designed to help crews identify and analyze unknown substances at emergency scenes.
The vehicle, designated HM-FS 34, functions as a mobile laboratory, allowing hazardous materials specialists to conduct testing and analysis in the field rather than relying solely on off-site resources.
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The department said in a press release that the unit will strengthen its ability to respond to hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies involving unknown substances.
“This is really about giving our people a safe, controlled place to do their work,” Special Operations Division Chief Matthew Honaker said. “We’re not guessing anymore. We’re not working out of the back of a truck or in the middle of a parking lot. We’ve created an environment where we can operate the way it’s supposed to be done.”
Hazmat crews previously lacked a dedicated workspace for analyzing unknown substances. Samples sometimes had to be handled outdoors, inside truck cabs, or in other areas not designed for testing, making it difficult to maintain a clean, secure environment for field analysis.
HM-FS 34 gives hazmat crews a controlled workspace at the scene. The unit includes a laboratory-style vent hood that allows samples to be passed inside through an exterior access point and analyzed in a sealed environment.
If a hazardous substance is detected, the system is designed to contain it, allowing filters to be replaced and the unit returned safely to service.
The unit has also supported multi-agency training and operations with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, FBI and State Bureau of Investigation. Its design allows agencies to preserve chain of custody, document evidence and analyze materials in a controlled environment.
