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News | July 20, 2022

Mutual aid agreement between regional first responders critical during emergency events

By Leon Moore, Public Affairs Specialist DLA Aviation Public Affairs Office

A warm, mid-morning summer day quickly turned into a scary hazardous material nightmare for the children and parents enjoying a fun and relaxing day at a community swimming pool in Chesterfield County, Virginia. 

A strange odor at the pool, which according to the Chesterfield County Fire Marshal’s office was caused by a malfunctioning chemical pump that flooded the pool system with too much pool chemical, resulted in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel being called to the pool to investigate.

Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Richmond emergency personnel from Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia were also requested to respond through a mutual aid agreement.  

DLA Installation Management Richmond Fire Chief Don Rodgers said mutual aid agreements are reciprocal agreements between different agencies where they both share resources during emergencies.

Rodgers said the DLA department on DSCR has an agreement with Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services to respond to emergencies within the county if requested, and that Chesterfield Fire and EMS will respond to an emergency on DSCR when requested. DSCR is physically located in Chesterfield County.

DLA Installation Management Richmond Fire and EMS is also part a statewide mutual aid agreement to respond, if requested, for large scale disasters or emergencies anywhere in the Commonwealth.

Rodgers said they have a great relationship with their counterparts in the county. Fire and Emergency Services personnel train multiple times a year with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS on DSCR and vice versa. 

“While we hope we never need them, it’s nice to know when called, they will respond and help support our operations on DSCR.” Rodgers said.