Kingston Fire and NYSP Specialized Units Cross-Train on Protective Gear and Decon Protocols

Kingston, NY - Members of the City of Kingston Fire Department partnered with specialized state law enforcement personnel Wednesday to conduct an intensive, interagency hazardous materials operational exercise in Ulster County.

On September 16, 2026, Kingston firefighters trained alongside the New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team (CCSERT). The joint evolution was designed to align tactical workflows between municipal fire personnel and state-level specialists when operating inside environments compromised by toxic chemicals, biological hazards, or hazardous crime scenes.

The exercise focused on core technical proficiencies, including the proper donning and operational use of advanced personal protective equipment (PPE), tactical entry procedures into simulated "hot zones," atmospheric monitoring, and the establishment of decontamination corridors.

Department officials emphasized that multi-agency training evolutions are vital for modern haz-mat response, allowing local municipal crews and statewide specialized units to synchronize communications, cross-check equipment compatibility, and refine incident command coordination well before facing large-scale, real-world hazardous emergencies.