Port Houston Fire Chief William Buck has been reappointed to a three-year term to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Hazardous Materials Committee.

 Members of the committee monitor and identifies trends in the fire and emergency response community and industry with regard to emergency response to hazardous materials incidents, both nationally and internationally.

The committee also monitors and provides recommendations regarding the development of new equipment and associated training and tactics, along with developing lessons learned from major incidents.

Additionally, the committee advises the IAFC board on policy issues involving hazardous materials response, as well as working with Congress and other federal agencies on fire and emergency service matters.

The Port of Houston Fire Department operates three fire stations strategically stationed along the Houston Ship Channel, which is the busiest waterway in the country. Members of the department fight marine and land fires and respond to other emergencies throughout the ship channel and its tributaries.