Nankin Mills Mud Day Combines Fun, Hazmat Training

Thousands of children, teens and adults from around metropolitan Detroit crowded into Hines Park in Westland today for some good, old-fashioned muddy fun. 

But Mud Day 2012 wasn't just a chance to muck around and get dirty. For the Western Wayne Hazardous Materials Response Team, which includes firefighters from Farmington Hills and 22 other metro Detroit departments, it was also a training exercise. 

Lt. Mike Kish said no other hazmat team in the country does a live decontamination exercise. 

"We set the whole thing up in about 12 minutes," he said. Children moved through a line of firefighters who gently hosed the mud off them. "In real life, there would be soap and water," Kish added. 

Firefighters poured 20,000 gallons of water onto 200 tons of topsoil to make the mudpit, according to Wayne County exective Robert Ficano. This year marks the event's 25th anniversary. 

A group of about 20 children from the summer program enjoyed the event – although 10-year-old Matthew Dresden said he got out of the mud a little early. 

"It was fun, but too many people were throwing mud," he said.