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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12151992 - 2.6 H ., TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Mark Finucane, Health Services Director j=F. Contra Costa DATE: December 15, 1992 County SUBJECT: Innovations in Regional Hazardous Materials Program Planning and Implementation SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: 1. Accept report from Health Services Director. 2. Direct Health Officer to continue efforts to coordinate hazardous materials program planning and emergency response with all relevant local, regional, and state agencies. FISCAL IMPACT: None. BACKGROUND: The number of hazardous materials incidents over the last year prompted the Health Services Department to initiate, in conjunction with other local and regional agencies, a number of activities designed to develop a comprehensive regional hazardous materials oversight and emergency response system for the county. Through this process, we are reviewing all major agencies' individual and combined jurisdictions, roles and responsibilities concerning inspection activities at the major petrochemical facilities. A major goal of this effort is to identify areas of duplication and, more importantly, potential gaps in our regulatory capabilities and the necessary steps to remedy those situations. It will also significantly enhance our ability to successfully coordinate with other agencies during a hazardous materials accident. The Hazardous Materials Council discussed this undertaking and recommended that the HSD brief the Board of Supervisors at this time to enable sufficient opportunity for planning and discussion before an incident occurs. i CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: V RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED �_ OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT_? ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CONTACT PERSON: BARBARA MASTERS 370-5022 CC: Health Services Director Health Officer ATTESTED Hazardous Materials Commission PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY DEPUTY w 2 o Interagency Coordination -- Policy Level: Begun in July, this ad-hoc group has met on a monthly basis and is attended by senior policy-level representatives of the HSD, BAAQMD, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Tonic Substances Control, Cal-OSHA, Fish and Game, State Fire Marshall, and the State Lands Commission. Initial meetings focused on the roles and responsibilities of each agency with regard to ongoing inspection activities and emergency response. We have begun to identify gaps in our jurisdictions and are discussing ways to better coordinate our efforts. In addition, these meetings have enabled us to develop contacts within the agencies, which are critical for efficient and effective coordination during a crisis situation. o Statewide Oil Refinery and Chemical Plant Safety Preparedness Act Technical Advisory Committee AB 100 : This law was established to encourage coordination between local agencies and to review existing statues and regulations for duplication and inconsistencies. Dr. Walker is the representative for public health departments to the Committee. Other representatives include fire chiefs, refinery and chemical plant operators, and plant workers. That Committee has met twice and will be preparing a report to the Legislature by July 1, 1993. The effort of this Committee should complement our regional efforts. o Regional Hazardous Materials Response Organization: Also begun over the summer, formation of this association was initiated by the hazardous materials division emergency response staff out of concern that during a major incident, such as Rhone-Poulenc, back-up resources and personnel from both agencies and industry need to be pre-identified. In addition, coordination and planning is needed ahead of time to anticipate multiple incidents, such as was simulated in the drill last year. Participants in the organization include Environmental Health, various fire departments in Contra Costa and neighboring counties, police departments who are incident commanders in the event of a major hazardous materials incident, California Highway Patrol, EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control, regional ambulance services, and various industrial representatives. The organization will focus on identifying training needs and funding sources, coordinating and planning for drills, and improving agency interactions. o Air Monitoring Task Force: In order to improve our ability to conduct environmental monitoring and sampling during a hazardous materials release so that an assessment of potential public health impacts can be determined, the HSD requested Cal-EPA Office of Health Hazardous Assessment to convene an Air Measurement Task Force. This Task Force was convened to discuss the state-of- the-art in emergency field sampling and analysis procedures, to identify problems encountered during an emergency and to develop solutions. It will also help identify potential resources for monitoring that might be available during an emergency situation. The first meeting took place in November, and a technical subcommittee will be meeting this month. o Interagency Coordination/Railroads: In the aftermath of the rail accident in Dunsmuir last year, the HSD convened a meeting with all railroads that operate in the county, the Federal Railroad Administration, Fish and Game, Coast Guard and other relevant agencies to discuss ways in which to prevent a similar accident from occurring in this county. We reconvened that group a few months ago to get updated on recent legislative and regulatory activities. o Regional Hazardous Materials Managers Association. In order to share information and ideas about implementing hazardous materials programs, the northern California hazardous materials managers have loosely formed a new association and meet bimonthly. Taken together, these activities are directed at creating an innovative, streamlined and coordinated regional hazardous materials program and emergency response system.