HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04111989 - S.7 S.7
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on _April 11, 1989 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: Report on the Chevron Refinery in Richmond
Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, reported on the status of
the explosion and fire that occurred at the Chevron Refinery in
Richmond on April 10, 1989, at approximately 12: 30 p.m. Mr.
Batchelor advised that County Fire Departments responded and
assisted Chevron safety personnel in containing the fire to keep it
from spreading to other areas in the refinery. Because of the
seriousness of the situation and the number of people injured, he
stated that the Emergency Operations Center was activated with the
following County Departments responding: Office of Emergency
Services, Emergency Medical Services, Merrithew Memorial Hospital,
Sheriff ' s Department, and Public Works Department. He noted that
the emissions coming from the fire were tested by Environmental
Health staff for toxicity and that it was determined that the
emissions were not hazardous. Mr. Batchelor spoke on the excellent
communication with the Richmond Police Department, Chevron, and all
County agencies who worked cooperatively together to mitigate the
effects of the fire.
Supervisor Powers expressed his appreciation to all agencies
responding to the emergency. He suggested that this disaster be
subjected to further scrutiny to identify those actions and
procedures that prevented the fire from spreading to other flammable
and explosive areas within the refinery, the safety controls and
procedures in place to prevent further problems, as well as
improvements to the emergency response plan. He spoke on the need
to reassure the public that controls are in place to prevent or
mitigate fires or accidents at refineries.
Supervisor McPeak expressed appreciation for the good
cooperation between industry and public agencies and for the
excellent emergency response system in this County. However, she
expressed reservations with having residential areas adjacent to
industrial areas and the potential of an industrial fire spreading
to an adjoining residential area. She recommended that this matter
be referred to the Disaster Council.
In response to Supervisor Schroder' s inquiry relative to the
delay in assuring the public that there were no toxic or hazardous
emissions, Mr. Batchelor advised that the first news release
addressed that fact. He expressed concern that the news media
directed some attention to the public' s hysteria.
Supervisor Schroder advised that there was some question of
toxicity several hours after the Health Department' s test results
were revealed and suggested that this matter be further critiqued.
Supervisor Powers advised that he did not believe it is a
serious issue to have residential areas in proximity to industrial
areas. He referred to service stations in residential areas and the
potential for fire because of the flammable products on the
premises. He expressed the need to put these considerations in
perspective. Supervisor Powers called attention to the fact that
the Chevron refinery fire now gives all emergency response staff
opportunity to evaluate what was done correctly and what could have
been done better.
There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED
that the County Administrator, Office of Emergency Services and
Disaster Council are REQUESTED to (1) review actions taken in the
Chevron refinery explosion and fire to determine whether any changes
are required in the County' s emergency planning, ( 2) review the
contingency plan for disasters at large industrial complexes in the
County, and ( 3 ) request information from Chevron relative to
addressing the human factor in their safety programs.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the County Administrator is
AUTHORIZED to send letters to the agencies involved in the Chevron
incident, commending them for a job well done and expressing
sympathy for the injured employees.
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THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on April 11, 1989 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: Adjournment
On request of Supervisor Torlakson, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that
its official meeting of April 11, 1989, is ADJOURNED in honor of the
memory of Daniel Kellogg who was recently killed in an industrial
accident at Tosco.
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. ,_;:��, l y�'y
PHIL BATCHELOR,Cis*of the Board
of Supervisors and County AdmInMOSW
By ae;46e.. .Deputy
cc: Supervisor Torlakson