There is established the Porter County hazardous materials response team. The response team shall consist of a minimum of twelve (12) individuals who have volunteered for membership on the response team. Membership on the response team shall be by appointment (from those who have volunteered) by the Porter County health officer after seeking the recommendation and advice of the Porter County hazardous materials council. The Porter County health officer or his designee shall be responsible for supervision and management of the response team activities. The response team members shall show themselves to have expertise, knowledge and interest in responding to problems created by hazardous materials and substance handling and transportation in Porter County. Members of the response team shall serve at the pleasure of the Porter County health officer. (Res. 87-3 § 4 )

    The mission and purpose of the hazardous materials response team shall be to respond to hazardous materials and substance handling and transportation problems. The team shall be “called out” by the Porter County health officer or his designee as need may arise. At the scene of any incident, the Porter County health officer or his designee shall be responsible for the activities of the team and shall direct and otherwise supervise its members. (Res. 87-3 § 5 )

    Although the hazardous materials response team shall receive no compensation from Porter County, during such time as the team is responding to hazardous materials incidents, the team members shall be considered employees of Porter County for purposes of the availability of insurance coverage through Porter County. (Res. 87-3 § 6 )

    It is further contemplated that the hazardous materials response team activities shall fall within the immunity provisions of I.C. 34-4-12.2-2. (Res. 87-3 § 7) )