A HAZMAT scene earlier this summer sent multiple officers to the hospital with symptoms of a drug overdose. During this situation, a critical piece of equipment was damaged and efforts are now underway to replace it.
This piece of equipment is crucial because it allows members of Toledo Fire and Rescue's HAZMAT team to identify unknown substances right there at a hazardous materials scene.
Currently, they are using backup equipment that isn't fully updated with a list of dangerous substances.
Toledo Fire and Rescue is asking city council to spend $62,000 on this device. Its called the RMX Handheld Chemical Identification Analyzer.
HAZMAT teams use it to almost immediately identify explosives, narcotics and other solid and liquid chemicals.
Their previous one was damaged in decontamination from responding to the overdose on Rolland Drive.
Using this 20-year-old analyzer means Toledo Fire and Rescue has no backup in case this one fails.