Dallas Fire Department – Hazmat Tiller 3 

Mike Luhm, Kevin Luper, Lane Best 

City of Dallas Fire Rescue hazardous materials response team HMRT is not only an asset to all 385 square miles of Dallas, but also all 12,500 square miles of the North Central Texas council of governments. This is an area equivalent to the state of Maryland with an estimated population of 8.1 million. Dallas Fire Rescue HMRT is a FEMA type 1 team with the capabilities to detect, identify, and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances on HazMat / WMD incidents. Dallas Fire Rescue HMRT staff fire station 3 with a total of 36 hazmat technicians over three shifts 24/7. These team members are adept at seamlessly working with local, state, federal, and community stakeholders.

Currently when the HMRT receives an emergency response, the truck company dismounts from truck 3 and staff hazmat 3 and support 3. These units respond in concert with engine 3 and rescue 3 while always striving for efficiency and increasing the team’s operational capabilities.

The HMRT began to realize the unique advantages that a tiller style body will provide the program. New hazmat 3 will combine both hazmat 3 and support 3 into a single apparatus which cuts down on maintenance and fuel costs or department and will reduce the department’s operational footprint while responding and when on scene. While the recent edition. The new hazmat 3 also allows for compartments lower to the ground. Dallas Fire Rescue HMRT’s plan is to utilize the city of Dallas unified command vehicle one on all Level 3 hazmat incidents and events as needed. The flexibility of the tiller platform will also afford the HRT the maneuverability needed and dynamic environments they respond to and with the volume of compartment space gained the HMRT will be able to advance over the next decade of the program as technology, training, and needs evolve.  

Facts for new HM 3:  

2022 Pierce Enforcer heavy duty rescue hazmat tiller. 

•  Length 50’ 9”  
•  Width 8’ 5”  
•  Height 11‘2”  

HM 3 emergency responses 2019 through 2021:

• 2019       440  
• 2020       380  
• 2021       357  

Enhancements: 

•  Climate control research module with all monitoring and sampling equipment secured and charging. In the 2011 model this was not possible. 
• Increase the volume of storage and bring it lower to the ground with external access for safety and efficiency of team members.  
• Increased capability with more powerful compressor for multiple simultaneous drilling and pump off operations.  
• Increase mobility throughout the city of Dallas.  
• Ability to quickly pin tiller axle if traveling to farthest location (E.G, Comanche peak nuclear power plant) 
• Moves all weather exposed equipment from support three into an internal storage on hazmat 3.  
• Quieter and more easily accessible generator for preventative maintenance and less noise on-scene.