Statesville Fire Department Hazmat Team Wins First Place in Statewide Competition

Pictured from left to right: Lt. Bryan Morris, Lt. Landon Russ, FF Travis Akins, and Cpt. Eddy Harpe

On Friday, August 8, 2025, members of the City of Statesville Fire Department’s (SFD) Hazardous Materials Response Team earned first place in the North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responders (NCAHMR) Hazmat Challenge, outperforming teams from across the state.

The winning SFD team included Captain Eddy Harpe, Lieutenant Bryan Morris, Lieutenant Landon Russ, and Firefighter Travis Akins. They competed against six other teams in a rigorous, three-part challenge designed to test skill, knowledge, and teamwork in hazardous materials response.

The first portion of the competition was a Hazmat Trivia/Quiz, where team members worked together to answer questions related to hazardous materials response, mitigation techniques, chemistry, and general knowledge. In the second portion, the practical skills station, teams were graded on their ability to correctly don a Level-A personal protective ensemble (PPE) in preparation for the final scenario. The third and final portion was a simulated incident in which teams entered a mock hazardous environment with limited visibility to mitigate a leak from a one-ton chlorine cylinder and assemble a pipe-and-fitting configuration. Teams were scored on the accuracy and effectiveness of their work.

“This achievement reflects the high level of training, dedication, and professionalism our firefighters bring to every call,” said Statesville Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Bell. “We are proud of our Hazmat Team for representing Statesville and demonstrating excellence on a statewide stage.”

The NCAHMR Hazmat Challenge provides emergency responders with realistic, scenario-based training that strengthens their readiness to respond to hazardous incidents in their communities.

For more information about the Statesville Fire Department and its specialized response teams, visit www.statesvillenc.net/fire.