In 2019, there was an explosion at the McMicken Battery Energy Storage facility in Surprise, sending four Peoria Firefighters to the hospital. After this event, the Peoria Fire-Medical Department applied for a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation to purchase a robot to assist in the safety of our members on these type of incidents.

The department was awarded the grant to purchase a robot and related items. Along with the robot, a gas meter was purchased as well. This robot will allow for metering hazardous materials gas from a remote location.

The robot was delivered in May 2020 and was placed in service on Engine 193, our Hazardous Materials engine.