HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06031997 - U1 1
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THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
DATE: June 3, 1997 MATTER OF RECORD
SUBJECT: Report from County Sheriff Regarding the Martinez Train Derailment
Warren Rupf, County Sheriff-Coroner, presented an oral report on the train
derailment which occurred on Friday, May 23, 1997, in Martinez. Sheriff Rupf
reported that the City of Martinez Police Department and the County Sheriffs
Department agreed that the Sheriffs Office would assume incident command
responsibility. The County Sheriffs Department supervised the multi-agency
coordinated response, the evacuation and the security aspects for twenty-four hours
following the derailment.
Supervisor Uilkema requested that the Chair, Board of Supervisors, draft a letter to
the rail company inquiring whether there will be corrective actions taken as a result
of the derailment to ensure future rail safety.
Chairman DeSaulnier agreed to draft a letter and bring it back to the Board for
approval, as this issue was not scheduled on today's Board meeting agenda.
THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY
NO BOARD ACTION TAKEN
cc: Supervisors
County Administrator
County Sheriff-Coroner
The Board of Superv�ors Contra �rko��
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County Administration BuildingCosta CountyAdtnmistrator
651 Pine Street,Room 106 I (slo)335-1900 '
Martinez,California 94553-1293 County
Jim Rogers,1 st District
s
Gayle S.Uilkema,2nd District
Donna Gerber,3rd District -
Mark D*SaWnier,4th District
Joe Canciamllla,5th District of
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July
co------July 7, 1997
Jeff Wright, Vice President
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad
c/o Darrell Bunker
101 Garrard Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94801
Dean Mr. Wright:
Our County Sheriff/Coroner recently presented an oral report to our Board regarding the May
23, 1997 train derailment which occurred in Martinez. This incident required emergency
response from several public agencies including the City of Martinez Police, County Sheriff,
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Office of Emergency Services, Health Services
Haz Mat, Emergency Medical Services, California Highway Patrol and the Red Cross. Needless
to say this incident aroused the concerns of local public agencies and residents about the safety
of rail transportation and the potential for recurrence of such an accident.
On June 5th our County Office of Emergency Services conducted a debriefing of the subject
incident. Several representatives of Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad attended. Their
participation and input was appreciated. In addition, our Board would like to know what
corrective actions have been or will be taken by your railroad to prevent future incidents of a
similar nature. I request that you submit a written report to us as soon as possible.
Receipt of the requested information will help assure our Board and the county citizens that your
company is pursuing appropriate follow up measures .to enhance the safety of your rail
operations.
Very truly yours,
KAk
Mark DeSaulnier, Chair
Board of Supervisors
cc; Supervisor Jim Rogers
Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema
Supervisor Donna Gerber
Supervisor Joe Canciamilla
Phil Batchelor, County Administrator