The Rochester Fire Department can’t be too careful when it comes to chemicals.
That’s why this month, the entire department is going through hazardous materials training, focusing on chlorine and ammonia leaks.
"There are very large quantities of both chlorine and ammonia in the city and around the southeastern part of the state which we cover as part of our Hazmat response," said Captain Brett Knapp.
He said that in town, ammonia can be found at large food processing plants, and it’s often transported in trucks to be used as fertilizer in the springtime. "Ammonia and chlorine are also used as industrial disinfectants as well," said Knapp.
He added that the frequency of these types of leaks is very low given the number of materials in town.
However, the possibility of danger still exists.
"When it comes to vehicle crashes and other types of leaks and just accidental mishaps from time to time—that's when the product can get out and cause a big problem,” he said.