Early in 1999 the need for a hazardous material response team for the industrial Cape Breton area was recognized.  Through mutual agreements and funding on the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal level a vehicle and equipment was purchased.

The purpose of the team was to provide technical resources in the field of hazardous materials response to other first response agencies such as fire and police.

A board with members representing most of the industrial companies in the area was formed in 2000.  In 2001 a call was given for interest in volunteer positions with the team.  Training of team members began and courses in HazMat Awareness, Operations, Technician, and Incident Commander were conducted.

The team was formed under the EMO Coordinator John Dilny.  The initial board was dissolved once the team was in operation and two Operations Chiefs were named, George Muise and Gary Richards.  The Custom built response vehicle was housed at the Sydney Airport.

The team was incorporated as a society in January 2002, under the name of the Cape Breton Regional Emergency Response Team.    Elections were held that year and George Muise was named to the position of Chief.  The team also moved to its present location at the Grand Lake Road Fire Department.

In 2004 the CBRM Emergency Response Team registered with the CBRM Fire Service.

The team was put to work early in its operation as many incidents were sparked by the incident of September 11, 2001.  The members have responded to reports of possible biological incidents as well as many industrial hazmat releases such as ammonia.

In 2003 the team became involved with response to possible terrorist activity and received additional equipment and monitoring devices to manage incidents of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear nature.

The team continues to provide assistance to other agencies when incidents require technical assistance.  We provide monitoring and detection, specialized protective clothing, and decontamination services.  Our volunteers are dedicated to the role they play in helping to lessen the negative impact hazmat incidents have on person, property, and the environment.