The Challenge consists of eight technical activities incorporating simulated hazardous materials incidents that include chemical identification, complex valve and piping leaks, compressed liquefied gas leaks, a railcar response, and overturned tanker that includes damming and diking a large-volume hazardous material spill. Plaques are awarded for the top three technical event scores as well as to an overall Challenge winner and a sportsmanship award. Teams participating in this year's Challenge include:
• Clovis Fire Department
• Farmington Fire Department
• Gallup Fire Department
• Houston HAZMAT (Texas)
• Intel New Mexico Fab 11/11X
• Las Cruces Fire Department
• Los Alamos National Laboratory Hazardous Materials Response
• Midwest City Fire Department (Oklahoma)
• New Mexico State Police
• Norman Fire Department (Oklahoma)
• Tulsa Fire Department (Oklahoma)
Challenge events will be open to news media representatives on Thursday, Aug. 11. Events begin at 8:30 a.m., and continue throughout the day; however, we recommend morning coverage to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Prior registration through the Public Affairs Office is requested to ensure proper escort on Laboratory property.
For more information contact Kevin Roark at 505-665-9202.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.