In 1990, the Chagrin/Southeast Council of Governments was formed at the request of local fire chiefs to form a regional hazardous materials response team. Some initial seed money was provided by Cuyahoga County and the rest was raised by annual membership fees.

The team is governed by the Council of Governments, but the day-to-day operations are controlled by the Haz-Mat Executive Board. It is made up of the fourteen fire chiefs who serve the region, as well as the team coordinator and representatives from police departments, hospitals and service departments.