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Santa Barbara County Hazmat Responds to White Powder

Firefighters Conduct a Level B Entry.

Tuesday morning, the Santa Maria, California Fire Department responded to the American Automobile Association office in Santa Maria, after an employee reported finding a white powdery substance inside the envelope.

After arriving on scene, fire officials evacuated the office and called the Santa Barbara County Hazardous Materials Response team, which arrived around 1 p.m.

By 3:30 p.m., they were able to determine that the substance was not hazardous. What exactly the substance is, or where it came from, has yet to be determined

Posted by Gary Sharp on September 8, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, ems-topics, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, special-operations, white powder

Suspicious Odor Evacuates Florida Value Place Motel

Photo by Bruce Graner / bgraner@pnj.com

About 100 residents of the Value Place Motel in Escambia, Florida were evacuated into the streets while police, fire, and hazmat responders searched the hotel for the source of a suspicious stank. Responders feared the fumes may be from a meth lab in one of the hotel rooms. In the end, responders did not find the source of the mystery odor, and allowed the patrons to return to their rooms.

Posted by Gary Sharp on August 3, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, special-operations • Tagged: evacuation, fumes, hazmat, hazmat team, meth lab, odor, sick building, sick building syndrome

Crews Conduct a Level A Entry for a Chlorine Leak at a Virginia Water Treatment Plant

Waynesboro, VA public works crews reported a leak in a one-ton container of chlorine at the water treatment plant. The employees were able to shut the valve off as they evacuated the building. There were no reports of injuries.

Waynesboro fire department responded and dressed out responders in level A PPE.

NBC29.com reports ”Their actions in cutting the valve off, the only thing remaining to leak out in the system was what residual chlorine pressurized,” explained Kenny Hyden with the Waynesboro Fire Department. “By the time our crews were assembled in fully encapsulated suits and made entry into the building, there was no active chlorine leak at that point.”

Posted by Gary Sharp on August 3, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, special-operations • Tagged: B-kit, chlorine, chlorine kit, hazmat, hazmat team, leak, leak control, level A, one ton cylinder

LA Building Explosion Likely due to illegal gas line hook up

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Two men were killed when a Los Angeulus industrial building exploded and collapsed. One man was thrown into the street as a result of the blast, the second was electrocuted when he contacted a down power line attempting to move his truck.

LAFD PIO Erik Scott reports the LAFD’s response to the 100×100 commercial building included: 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 11 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 bull dozers

The Urban Search and Rescue Team, was then able to eliminate hazards and shore up beams, allowing a safer environment to perform a detailed and thorough search. K9 units were utilized to locate anyone possibly trapped under the rubble, however there were no hits and no additional victims were found.

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 31, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, hazmat, major-incidents, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations

Update: Mystery odor that brought out Hazmat and 85th CST caused by Lint

Firefighters, hazmat teams, and the Utah National Guard 85th WMD Civil Support Team were called in when a family noticed a “metallic burning smell” in their home. No one was ill, but a recent visit by an exterminator had responders taking no chances. You can read the original post about the incident here.

Once pesticide and other common causes were ruled out, responders continued to work through the night to determine the cause of the odor. The Davis County Clipper reports that responders were able to determine that the odor was caused by “a bit of dryer lint blocking an air inlet on the water heater”.

Read more: Davis County Clipper – Lint not WMD cause of Syracuse family’s evacuation

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 18, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: Civil Support Team, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, mystery odor, odor investigation

Truck Rolls and Leaks Hydrogen Peroxide.

A semi truck rolled over on the freeway in Romulus, Michigan. The truck was carrying an assortment of chemicals, including several totes of hydrogen peroxide; at least one of which leaked. The Western Wayne County Hazmat Team responded to the incident.

If your team uses the HazMatIQ System for size up and rapid research, click more to review how to size up Hydrogen Peroxide using the HazMatIQ System. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 15, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations, videos • Tagged: chemical spill, hazmat, hazmat team, HazMatIQ, hydrogen peroxide

Explosion, Possibly Acetylene, Injures 6 Firefighters

The Kirwin, Kansas Fire Department responded to a report of a fire on a water tower, along with a nearby brush fire. The brush fire spread to the tires of a semi trailer parked on site. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the brush and tire fire. Firefighters were standing near the trailer, discussing how to tackle the water tower fire, when a massive explosion occurred, injuring 6 firefighters and heavily damaging a brush truck.

Workers had been welding on the water tower earlier in the day. At quitting time, they stored their equipment including flammable liquids and acetylene cylinders in the trailer. Investigators suspect that the welding operations sparked a small fire in the water tower. Flaming debri falling off the water tower likely started the brush fire, which extended to the tires of the trailer.

If your team uses the HazMatIQ System for size up and research, Acetylene is a Red 4. its hazards include flammable/explosive.

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 15, 2010 • Filed under: firefighter-safety-health, fires, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management

“METALLIC BURNING SMELL” BRINGS HAZMAT AND CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM

Photo from Standard.net

A major hazmat response rolled into a Syracuse, Utah neighborhood after a family reported a “metallic burning smell” in their home, along with a propane/natural gas alarm sounding. No one in the home was reported as being sick. The fire department activated the Davis County Hazardous Materials Response Plan, which brought teams from Syracuse, Layton, South Davis Metro, Sunset, Hill Air Force Base and the Utah National Guard 85th Civil Support Team.

A pesticide had recently been applied outside to the home. Responders say they have ruled out the pesticide as a likely cause. The response raised fears that it could be a repeat of the Layton, UT incident, that killed two young children.

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 11, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: Civil Support Team, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, odor

Investigation Underway to Determine if Death is related to refridgerant leak

Photo by David Bundy

At the same time the Montgomery, Alabama Fire Department received a report of refridgerant leak at a mall, Montgomery police received a report of a dead body at the same location. The fire department hazmat team was able to stop the leak of R22 refridgerant.

The 22 year old man who was found dead inside the mall, near the ice skating rink, was reporteded to be performing janitorial work. MPD is trying to determine if the events are related.

Montgomery PD

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 22, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations

Ammonia Leak at Frozen Food Plant Quickly Brought Under Control

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 13, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: anhydrous ammonia, evacuation, hazmat, hazmat team, leak

Chemical Explosion/Flash Fire Injures 3 Workers in Minneapolis

Workers were replacing the cap on an external tank, at Inerplastics when a flash fire occured, injuring 3 workers, one critically. The tank, which contained an acid-based product, was a quarter full and did not release any product. KARE11.com has the full story.

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 13, 2010 • Filed under: firefighting-operations, fires, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: acid, chemical fire, explosion, hazmat

Man Drinks Potassium Cyanide, 8 Responders Treated for Potential Exposure

TheDenverChannel.com

The Denver Post reports:

Nine people, including eight emergency responders, were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning after they were exposed to potassium cyanide.

A man made a cryptic, vague 911 call just before 9 a.m. saying he had cyanide in a glass of water. He did not give his identity, his location, nor his intention with the cyanide, said Aurora fire Capt. Allen Robnett. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 11, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: chemical spill, cyanide, hazardous materials, hazmat

Military Mustard Agent Suspected in Fisherman’s Mystery Illness

CBSNews.com Reports:

Did World War I-era mustard gas make the crew of a New Bedford clamming boat sick? That’s what investigators are trying to find out.

The crew of the E.S.S. Pursuit picked up at least 10 old military canisters as they were dragging the ocean floor clamming just south of Long Island Sunday. New Bedford fisherman Kevin O’Sullivan and another crew member handled one of the canisters as they threw them back into the ocean.

It broke open and exposed a fisherman named Costa, causing blistering on his arm and leg”He experienced immediate pain,” said O’Sullivan, who also had shortness of breath. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 9, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: CBRNE, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, mustard agent

2 Workers Burned by Sulfuric Acid in Arizona

Two employees at a Buckeye chemical plant were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after they were burned by sulfuric acid, officials said.

The men were taken to the burn unit at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix in stable condition, Buckeye Fire Chief Bob Costello said. They had “at least second-degree burns” on their heads and faces.

AZCentral has the full story.

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 9, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: acid, burns, hazmat, hazmat team, sulfuric acid

North Carolina State Capital Evac’d from White Powder

Authorities evacuated the Historic State Capitol building on Edenton Street Monday afternoon after finding a suspicious white powder. The powder was found in a small envelope addressed to the governor just before 3 p.m. by a staffer in a small area near her office. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 8, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat team, level B, white powder

Baltimore Hazmat Task Force Handles Weapon of Mass Disruption…Mercury

Baltimore City Fire Department’s Hazmat Task Force, including Hazmat 1, Decon 1, and several support units were sent to a Baltimore elementary school after students broke a thermometer(s). The students were in the auditorium practicing for graduation, when students playing with one or more thermometers broke them on the ground.

Several students and staff were contaminated with the mercury. BCFD escorted those contaminated to their technical decon unit and allowed them to change out of their clothes.

The school remained closed while Maryland Department of the Environment and private clean up contractors worked to remove the mercury.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 31, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: BCFD, hazmat, hazmat team, mercury

Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Death of three maryland men

Photo by Washington Post

PGFD Chief Spokesman Mark Brady released the following:

Prince George’s County Firefighters and Paramedics made a disturbing discovery in a Hyattsville home after responding to a possible carbon monoxide (CO) incident this morning. At about 9:00 am, Sunday, May 30, 2010, Fire/EMS units responded to a 2-story, with basement, single family home in the 5600 block of 38th Avenue. Firefighter/Medics arrived and conducted a search of the home for victims and for the source of the CO. Three male victims were quickly located on the second floor and after a medical assessment were determined to be deceased. The males ranged in age from 18 to 22.

Firefighters also located a running gasoline powered generator in the basement of the house. The house did not have any electric service. The generator was turned off by firefighters and an atmospheric test determined there were upwards of 300 parts per million (PPM) of CO inside the home.

Click HERE to read the Washington Post Coverage article on the incident.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 31, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: CO, hazmat, PGFD

1 Person Critical after Iodine Pentaflouride spill. 4 Firefighters treated for Exposure at “EMS” Call

Workers were attempting to clean out tank truck when one persons was severely burned by chemical on the arms and chest. Firefighters, responding to an EMS call, entered the building and encountered a chemical vapor cloud. They were able to remove the victim and other employees in the area. Nine people, including four firefighters were transported to the hospital. Click more to read the full story and see the video. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 29, 2010 • Filed under: ems-health-safety, ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations, videos • Tagged: hazardous materials, hazmat, hazmat team, HF, tank truck

Confined Space Incident: 2 firefighters and 2 civilians pulled out unresponsive

The four victims: a plumber, a bystander that came to the plumbers aid, and two first arriving firefighters were unresponsive when the were pulled from a well pit outside an Indiana home. The two liberty township firefighters responded in their personnel vehicles, and arrived before the apparatus. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 26, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, line-of-duty, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: confined space, technical rescue, technical rescue team

Acrylonitrile Leaks While Truck Driver Sleeps

A truck stop was shut down the truck stop for hours as officials cleaned up the spill. A gas station employee was treated for chemical exposure, and a firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 26, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat team, tanker truck

3 Firefighters and 1 Worker transported from Hazmat scene. Firefighters mistake chemical cloud for smoke

Photo by Cole Cosgrove

Photo by Cole Cosgrove

Lakewood, Washington firefighters responded to a fire alarm in a two story office building arond noon today. Upon entering the building, firefighters noticed a white haze they mistakenly thought was smoke.

Shortly after entering, the firefighters began to feel ill and exited the building. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 23, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, hazmat, in-the-line-of-duty, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: chemical plume, chemical reaction, hazmat, hazmat team, sick building

Derailment dumps 3,000 gallons diesel

Photo by Jim Hudelson / The Shreveport Times

Photo by Jim Hudelson / The Shreveport Times

Two engines, pulling 14 train cars loaded with GM vehicles, derailed in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. According to the Shreveport times, 3,000 gallons of diesel leaked into a nearby ditch. The Caddo hazmat team and the Louisiana Department of the Environment responded.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 23, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: derailment, flammable liquid, hazmat, hazmat team

Short on Cash for Special Operations? Consider moving your personnel to a special ops engine

Photo by Richard Whiting

Photo of FDNY Squad 61 by Richard Whiting

Jay Lowry, founder of FirefighterHourly and FireRescue1 author, offers some advice for cash strapped departments. Instead of eliminating a special operations company, Jay suggests changing their ride. You can read his full article by clicking here.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 16, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, funding-staffing, hazmat, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: budget, rescue company, special-operations, squad, technical rescue

Hazmat called when fire breaks out in a box trailer

Photo by Carol Hopkins / Oakland Press

Photo by Carol Hopkins / Oakland Press

A hazmat team was called in to assist Pontiac firefighters when a trailer containing 18,000 pounds of batteries caught fire. Firefighters used foam to knock down the fire and controlled the runoff. Initial responding firefighters were sent to the hospital to be evaluated as precaution. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 15, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, hazmat, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat fire, hazmat team

Hazards of Nitrogen Asphyxiation

Nitrogen is suspected in a recent incident in Ohio that took the life of a city maintenance worker and proved to be a close call for (3) Middleton firefighters. The Chemical Safety Board previously released an excellent video on the hazards of nitrogen asphyxiation.

Many responders do not realize that nitrogen gas poses a danger to responders OUTSIDE a tank or confined space.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 9, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations, videos • Tagged: air monitoring, confined space rescue, hazmat, technical rescue