1 Hazardous Materials Response Teams Legislative Audit Bureau February 2002

2 Level A Teams Level B Teams u Contract with State u 8 teams u $1.4 million GPR in FY u Worker’s Compensation paid by State u Contract with counties u 35 teams u $468,000 GPR for equipment grants to counties u Worker’s Compensation paid by counties

4 Level B Response Teams

6 Location of Level A Incidents

7 Sources of Level A Releases

8 Level A Response Times

9 Extent of Coverage in Other States

10 Number of Level A Responses

11 Level A Team Expenditures

12 Reimbursement by Responsible Parties u $213,000 recovered by the teams in u Recovery policies and rates charged vary u Vehicle charges varied from $29 to $150 per hour u Mileage rates varied from $0.50 per mile to $5.00 per mile

13 State Reimbursement u State reimbursement possible if responsible party unable to pay, or not found u State appropriation for reimbursement nearly depleted--$39,200 at beginning of FY u Recommend WEM develop standard rates for reimbursement

14 Future Considerations u Funding levels and terrorism preparedness u Further definition of respective roles of Level A and Level B teams

15 Funding Levels u Terrorism threats and anthrax hoaxes have highlighted the need for well-trained and equipped first responders u Wisconsin is a leader in state support for local hazmat teams

16 Additional New Funding u $3.1 million in new federal funding approved in January 2002 u Governor proposes $3.6 million in GPR through June 30, 2003, for grants to local emergency planning committees for equipment for first responders, including firefighters.

17 Some Efficiency Gains Are Possible u Some confusion exists over when Level A or Level B teams should respond to incidents u The Superior region, and some other states, use Level B teams as chemical assessment teams to quickly and inexpensively determine whether a full Level A response is necessary

18 Hazardous Materials Response Teams Legislative Audit Bureau February 2002