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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12102013 - PR.1RECOMMENDATION(S): Recognize the Hazardous Response Team Response to a Propane Trailer rollover at Carlson and Interstate 80 on Monday, October 7, 2013, response to an ammonia leak at the Antioch PG&E plant, and their success at the Urban Shield Exercise. FISCAL IMPACT: No Impact. BACKGROUND: Propane Trailer Rollover: Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Response Team received a request to assist Richmond and El Cerrito Fire at 3:24 AM Monday, October 7, 2013 in a response to a propane trailer rollover where propane was leaking from the trailer. The Hazardous Materials Response Team responded immediately and worked within the Incident Command System and worked closely with the Incident Commander to respond to the incident safely. Propane is highly flammable and the size of the leak was unknown since the leak was under the rolled over trailer. The team contacted the owner of the trailer and had him respond to the incident for assistance; they worked with the Sheriff’s Office Community Warning System manager to establish an area that could be called to evacuate if needed; and worked with the Incident Commander to establish a hot zone and to control entry into the hot zone. The Health Services Hazardous Material Response Team made entry to determine how best to mitigate the leak. When they made entry, the team found that the propane vapor was going into a storm water sewer line. They quickly stopped activity in the area until they were able to determine if the propane vapors were migrating from the trailer through the APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 12/10/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Randy Sawyer, 646-2286 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: December 10, 2013 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Stephanie L. Mello, Deputy cc: Randy Sawywer, T Scott, C Rucker PR.1 To:Board of Supervisors From:William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director Date:December 10, 2013 Contra Costa County Subject:Hazardous Materials Response Team October Responses and Urban Shield storm sewer. The team found out that it was and there was a high level of propane vapors in the storm sewer. They quickly made another entry to cover the storm drain to eliminate the propane from getting into storm sewer. The team made an entry to place a high pressure lifting bag under the trailer to lift the trailer. When this was complete, the trailer was lifted enough to install a low pressure sealing bag and a plug when it becomes cold form a freeze plug. The low pressure sealing bag slowed down the leak but the freeze plug is not effective until vapor is being released and not liquid propane. Since the leak was slowed by the low pressure sealing bag, the trailer could be lifted more until vapor was coming from the hole. When this occurred the freeze plug was effective and the leak was stopped. The trailer was then able to be partially off loaded. When as much propane that could be off loaded was completed, the trailer was completely up righted and the remaining propane was off loaded. Propane is highly flammable and at different locations and times the concentration of the propane was above the lower flammable limit. If there was a spark or some other ignition point, there could have been a very serious fire with a concern of the integrity of the overturned trailer. This response took a lot of coordination with Richmond Fire Hazardous Materials Response team, Richmond Fire and El Cerrito Fire Departments and the Health Services Hazardous Materials Response team. The communication and coordination went very well during this incident and the different agencies worked well as a team. El Cerrito Fire Chief and California Highway Patrol were the Incident/Unified Command for this incident. Richmond Fire personnel filled the following Incident Command positions the Operations Chief, Hazard Materials Group Leader, Safety Officer and backed up the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Response Team entry team. The Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Response team filled the position of Assistant Safety Officer, monitored the area for propane, and made entry. Richmond Fire provided a fog to help disperse the propane vapors whenever an entry was made. BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) Ammonia Leak: Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Response Team received a page from Sheriff Dispatch on October 25 at 2:45 AM that there was an anhydrous ammonia release at the Antioch PG&E facility and that our assistance was needed. The team responded and saw a cloud of highly toxic ammonia being released from two valves within the PG&E facility. PG&E did not have the expertise that is needed to respond safely to mitigate the ammonia leak. The ammonia readings were up to 40 ppm and there was no indication of the ammonia getting offsite of the facility at a concentration of concern. The team made entry and tried to tighten the valves but the release became larger. The bolts on the valves were not even finger tight. A second entry occurred with the proper sized wrench to tighten the bolts. When team members tighten the bolts, the release was stopped. The concerns with this release were that it was a congested area, especially wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and the release was elevated where a ladder was needed. Liquid ammonia was being released that will produce a larger ammonia cloud than if ammonia vapor was being released. Ammonia is highly toxic and when released will be very cold. Urban Shield: The two days after the ammonia release the Hazardous Material Response Team participated in the Urban Shield Exercise. There were ten different scenarios that were responded to over the two-day period. Fourteen different organizations participated in the exercise with five organizations participating both days. The response was judged and given points for each scenario. On Saturday, October 26 the Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials response team came in first with a score of 1687 out of a possible 2080 points or 81.11%. On Sunday, October 27 the Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Response Team came in second with a score of 1593 of a possible 2090 points or 80.05%. Contra Costa Health Services had the highest combined score for the five teams that participated both days.