Hazardous Materials Response Team
Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team (DCHMRT)
Mission Statement
The mission of the Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team is to safeguard lives, property, and the environment by effectively responding to and mitigating the impact of both manmade and natural hazardous material incidents.
Overview
The Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team (DCHMRT) provides critical hazardous materials emergency response services to municipalities across Dauphin, Perry, and Schuylkill Counties. DCHMRT operates as a non-profit response team within the Dauphin County Department of Public Safety.
Established in 1995, the team has maintained continuous re-certification by multiple state and federal agencies, reaffirming its status as one of Pennsylvania’s 29 certified hazardous materials response teams. As of 2024, DCHMRT serves as the primary hazardous materials response provider for all three counties, covering a combined 1,896.2 square miles, protecting a population of approximately 529,964 residents, and supporting over 10 million travelers annually moving through the region’s transportation corridors.
DCHMRT is also a proud member and regional leader of the South-Central Task Force (Pennsylvania), providing advanced technical expertise and mutual aid support beyond county boundaries when needed.
Service Area and Coverage
Dauphin County
- Area: 558 square miles
- Population: Approximately 333,514
- Key Features:
- City of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania State Capital)
- 256 SARA Facilities
- 1,788 miles of major interstates and state highways
- Norfolk Southern and AMTRAK railroads
- Four pipelines
- Two airports, including an international airport
Perry County
- Area: 555.5 square miles
- Population: 46,114
- Key Features:
- 33 SARA Facilities
- 122.5 miles of major interstates and state highways
- Norfolk Southern and AMTRAK railroads
- Five pipelines
Schuylkill County
- Area: Approximately 783 square miles
- Population: Approximately 142,000
- Key Features:
- Numerous SARA-regulated industrial and chemical facilities
- Major transportation corridors including Interstate 81, Interstate 78 connections, and multiple U.S. and state routes
- Active freight rail lines supporting commercial and industrial transport
- Multiple pipeline systems supporting energy and industrial operations
- A diverse mix of urban centers, rural communities, and legacy industrial sites within Pennsylvania’s Coal Region
Regional Infrastructure and Risk Profile
Across Dauphin, Perry, and Schuylkill Counties, the service area contains critical infrastructure including:
- 289+ SARA Facilities
- Over 1,910 miles of major interstates and highways
- Extensive rail transportation networks
- Nine pipelines
- Two airports
These features collectively increase the likelihood of hazardous materials incidents related to transportation, industrial activity, and fixed facilities, reinforcing the importance of a highly trained, regionally coordinated hazardous materials response capability.
DCHMRT also maintains mutual aid agreements with surrounding counties and agencies, ensuring rapid, coordinated response to incidents that exceed local capabilities and further emphasizing the team’s critical role beyond county lines.
Team Composition and Expertise
DCHMRT is comprised primarily of volunteers, with approximately 95% of team members drawn from diverse professional backgrounds including:
- Career and volunteer firefighters
- Emergency medical responders
- Federal and state emergency response agencies
- Private industry and technical specialists
This depth of real-world experience, combined with specialized hazardous materials training, positions DCHMRT as one of the most capable hazmat response organizations in Pennsylvania.
Team members actively participate in statewide and federal task forces, responding to a wide range of incidents including transportation accidents, industrial releases, natural disasters, and large-scale emergency events.
Training, Readiness, and Special Events Support
To maintain a high level of operational readiness, DCHMRT conducts more than fifty training sessions annually, covering advanced hazardous materials operations, technician-level skills, and interagency coordination.
In addition to emergency response, the team routinely supports high-profile security and special events, including:
- Large-scale public gatherings (e.g., Penn State Football events)
- Political visits
- Planned special events and regional security operations
Through its expanded coverage of Dauphin, Perry, and Schuylkill Counties, DCHMRT continues to provide consistent, professional, and highly specialized hazardous materials response, safeguarding communities, critical infrastructure, and the millions of residents and travelers who pass through South-Central Pennsylvania each year.
A duty officer is available 24/7/365 to provide technical assistance when requested. The team’s station, acquired in 2021, is located at 930 Peter’s Mountain Road, Dauphin, PA. In partnership with the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire (HBF), additional equipment and resources are stored at HBF Station 2.
Conclusion
The Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team plays an irreplaceable role in protecting the residents, infrastructure, and environment of Dauphin, Perry and Schuylkill Counties. Our highly trained, skilled, and volunteer-based team delivers invaluable emergency response capabilities.
DCHMRT remains one of the most reliable state-certified hazardous materials response teams in Pennsylvania. We continue to stand ready to protect over 529,000 residents and over 10 million travelers per year from the ever-growing threat of hazardous materials emergencies.
Contact DCHMRT: During normal business hours, the administrative team for the DCHMRT can be reached at 717-558-6800. If there is an emergency need outside normal business hours, please contact 717-558-6900. If you are interested in joining the team or have a question, reach out to the Department of Public Safety at dauphinEMA@dauphincounty.gov.