Weather Related Threats – Severe storms, tornadoes, heavy snow or rainstorms are very common threats in our area. The Department prepares to assist in these events.

Hazardous Materials Releases – The potential for release of these materials necessitates planning in preparation for safe response, timely mitigation, and protection of the population. There are facilities in the Township that have quantities of Ammonia and Chlorine, both deadly gasses, that are included in our planning process. Along with these facilities, an underground 20-inch high pressure natural gas supply pipeline runs through the Township. Interstate 94 also runs through the Township, with thousands of trucks carrying hazardous materials transiting daily. The Township participates with the Kalamazoo County Local Emergency Planning Committee to develop plans and contingencies for these hazards.

Terrorism – The Township is not regarded as a high risk for terrorist activities, but many of the facilities, businesses, and infrastructure are regarded as potential targets for terrorist activities. With many of these in close proximity to easy access by Interstate 94, the Fire & Rescue Department participates with other governmental agencies in preparedness planning.

Multiple-casualty Events – Every year, the Fire & Rescue Department responds on multiple-casualty events, typically transportation incidents. Busses and Passenger Trains transit the Township regularly. The Township is also under one of the main approaches for the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. There are many buildings in the Township that have hundreds of people working and visiting daily. The Fire & Rescue Department plans for “worst case scenarios” in the event of an incident involving these areas.

The Fire & Rescue Department has limited resources for disaster responses. The Department has no capabilities for heavy-duty rescue activities, hazardous materials responses, or terrorism “weapons of mass destruction” responses. This necessitates prior planning activities to ensure resources respond to assist us in a timely manner. Representatives from the Township Fire & Rescue Department are members of the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management Disaster Preparedness Committee, Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism Task Force, Medical Control Advisory Board, and other State and Local disaster committees.

While Texas Township does not have a disaster response plan, it is covered by the Kalamazoo County Disaster Emergency Response Plan. This plan outlines response procedures and resources available to Kalamazoo County. The Township Fire & Rescue Department also has mutual aid agreements with our neighboring fire departments, and a hazardous materials response / clean-up agreement with Young’s Environmental Services in Grand Rapids.