At 2:21 PM this afternoon, our Decon Unit was requested to support the County Haz Mat Team by Chief 25 (Hayden - Merion Fire Co of Ardmore) and Chief 81 (LoPresiti - County Haz Mat Team). A white bottle containing an unknown substance was thrown from a vehicle in the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Woodside Road in Ardmore. The bottle was emitting a white cloud or gas. Lower Merion police arrived first, setup a perimeter and requested the fire department. Upon arrival and a quick investigation, the County Haz Mat Team was notified and a response started. 21 members responded with the Utility 21, Decon Trailer 21 and Engine 21 to support what would be a 3.5 hour operation to identify and mitigate the unknown substance. Members dressed in protective suits with breathing apparatus and initiated a rapid decontamination of two Ardmore firefighters. Once the haz mat team arrived and setup, we supported their operation of investigation and identification of the substance, decontaminating haz mat technicians upon completion of their operation.
