The Adams and Jefferson County Hazardous Response Authority (AJCHRA) is an autonomous government entity created through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the two counties and run by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is selected by member agencies and represents cities and towns, law enforcement, fire departments/districts and others interested in hazardous materials emergency response.

The City and County of Broomfield is also included in the AJCHRA through its relationship with the North Metro Fire Rescue Authority. The AJCHRA is funded through yearly contributions controlled by the respective boards of county commissioners as approved within the IGAs. This cooperative approach has led to “A Government Partnership Committed to Service.”

Within this partnership the following areas were identified:

• Increase initial on-scene response by Haz-mat Team members
• Reduce overtime demands to departments by drawing from a larger resource group
• Improve operation efficiency and safety
• Provide broad base of technical expertise
• Use of existing equipment in a more effective manner

Training Program

• Use joint resources and expertise to develop and implement a hazardous material training program for team members and other public safety agencies
• Apply for grants based on a regional approach to include the greater population served and complete risk potential
• Provide more realistic training experience due to larger number of personnel available at training
• Use of multiple training facilities within the three county area
• Develop and implement training programs for law enforcement, EMS, fire and public works personnel, to meet federal requirements
• Planning for a regional response to a terrorist event and weapons of mass destruction

 

This partnership has proven to be successful in all types of hazardous material responses by consolidating vital and costly resources. The AJCHRA has been successful in obtaining in excess of 1.2 million dollars worth of assets that have been acquired through the grant process. This equipment is a much needed addition to the AJCHRA to ensure the safety of team members and citizens of Adams, Jefferson and Broomfield Counties as well as those in the Denver Metro Area as a whole.