ANAHEIM : City Backs Toxic Emergency Network

Anaheim has agreed to participate in a new network of fire departments that will respond to toxic waste emergencies for all of Orange County.

Because of the expense of maintaining a hazardous materials response team, many Orange County cities have relied upon their better-equipped neighbors to handle toxic emergencies. This system brought complaints from cities such as Anaheim that they were shouldering an unfair burden for the expensive service.

Under the new network, called the Orange County-City Hazardous Material Emergency Response Authority, the cost will be shared among all cities that contract with the county for fire protection. The fire departments that will share in handling toxic emergencies are Orange County, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Santa Ana.