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Silver City moves to stage-two fire restrictions; fire chief updates PPE and hazmat-style response for unknown-substance calls
Summary
The Silver City Fire Department announced a move to stage-two fire restrictions and new first-responder protocols after multiple unknown-substance exposures. The chief said crews will use upgraded PPE and treat some unresponsive calls as hazmat scenes while coordinating with state agencies.
The Silver City Fire Department announced on June 9 that the town is moving to stage-two fire restrictions and that it is changing protocols for emergency responses after recent incidents involving unknown substances.
Fire Chief Lebert told the Town Council that stage-two restrictions broaden prohibitions on outdoor smoking and curb the sale and use of specific types of fireworks within the limits allowed by state law. "We are going to move into stage two restrictions," he said, noting that the town cannot ban all fireworks but will ban missile-type rockets, aerial spinners, stick rockets and ground audible fireworks.
Chief Lebert said the department is also changing how it responds to unconscious or unresponsive patients after several first responders were exposed to unknown substances. "From this point forward, we will be responding to unconscious and unresponsive patients ... wearing masks," he said, specifying N95 masks and upgraded eye protection integrated with breathing apparatus as part of new protective gear.
The chief described additional steps: treating some calls more like a hazmat scene, removing patients from potentially contaminated environments, increasing PPE stock and coordinating with state agencies including the state fire marshal, state police, the Office of Emergency Management and New Mexico OSHA. He said the department has ordered snap-tite cartridge filter masks and will share N95 supplies with the police department.
Council members asked about chemical testing and evidence collection. Councilor Prince urged the department to coordinate with New Mexico State Police hazmat and chemical-testing crews "so that we're collecting all of the data" to protect first responders and preserve evidence trails. Chief Lebert said the department is already in active communication with state partners and that a countywide meeting of first-responder leaders is scheduled for June 17 to align protocols.
The chief also reported that 10 first responders were treated at an ER after a May 29 incident; all have since been released, though one was described as a close call. He said one patient involved in that call died.
The announcement leaves several operational details for follow-up: the chief did not specify exact inventory counts, timelines for full deployment of the new masks, or the jurisdictions that will participate in the June 17 meeting beyond "leaders of the first responder agencies in the county." Council members asked for continued updates.
The town published the move to stage-two restrictions and the new PPE protocols at the June 9 council meeting; residents seeking guidance on fireworks and outdoor-burning rules were advised to follow the posted state and town restrictions and safety recommendations.
