LEARNED LESSONS:
Propane Tanker Rollover
Anhydrous Ammonia Release
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
BIOGRAPHY
• Hired as a regulator for HazMat programs
▫ HMBP, USTs, Haz Waste, Storm water, etc.
• Hazardous Materials Responder 23+ years
• State Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor
▫ 18 Years for CSTI
▫ FRA, FRO, Tech/Spec
▫ Identification of Unknown Chemicals
• B.S. Geology – Chico State
• Incident Response Team Leader
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
AWARD-WINNING HAZ MAT TEAM
Urban Shield – Haz Mat Division
2011 – 3rd Place (with Richmond FD)
2013 – 2nd and 3rd Places
2012 – 1st Place
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
INCIDENTS
• Propane Tanker Rollover
• Anhydrous Ammonia Release
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• October 7, 2013, 3:24 am – 5:45 pm
▫ Allied Propane tanker overturned
▫ Carlson Blvd. at I-80 E on-ramp, El Cerrito
• Unified Command
▫ El Cerrito FD (IC)
▫ Richmond FD (Operations)
▫ Contra Costa Haz Mat (Haz Mat Group/
Entry)
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Unified Command (cont’d)
▫ Other agencies: CHP, Cal Trans, Chevron FD,
American Red Cross, Cities of El Cerrito/Richmond
• Hazards of propane
▫ Evacuation of immediate area east and west of I-80
 Nearby motel
 Gas station
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Multiple Entries &Tactical Groups
▫ Reconnaissance
▫ Continuous LEL/air monitoring of exclusion zone
by Area RAE and Hand Held Monitors (CGI)
▫ Patching
▫ Up righting
 Master fog - El Cerrito and Richmond FDs
 Allied Propane
 Tow companies
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Recon/Area RAE set-up, Block Storm Drain
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Patching – 9:05 am
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Patch applied/leak slowed – 10:00 am
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Decoupled tanker/offloading commenced – 12:30
pm
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Safety briefing prior to up righting – 1:45 pm
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Up righting - 2:14 pm
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Up righting
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Tanker up righted – 4:00 pm
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• The day after . . .
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
PROPANE TANKER ROLLOVER
• Lessons Learned:
▫ SAFETY
 Flammability / Explosion hazard of propane
▫ Importance of ICS/Unified Command
▫ Specialized training for tow companies for haz mat
transportation incidents
 CHP working on new guidelines
 In the interim, include tow operator safety in Site
Safety Plan
▫ Continuous LEL/air monitoring
▫ Maintenance of zones (exclusion, CRZ, support)
▫ I-80 closure?
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• October 25, 2013, 2:43 – 8:00 am
▫ PG&E Gateway Station, Antioch
• Unified Command
▫ Contra Costa Fire Eng. 81 (IC)
▫ Contra Costa Haz Mat (Haz Mat Group)
▫ PG&E (Responsible Party Incident Comander)
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Situation
▫ Small leak at two valves on piping system to
anhydrous ammonia chiller
▫ System shutdown on 10/24/13 for winter
▫ Readings of ammonia monitors at 7-40 ppm
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Diagram of facility
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Outside of exclusion zone
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Chiller system
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Fixed Ammonia monitor
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Haz Mat makes entry – 5:40 am
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Entry
▫ Objectives
 Safety – slips, trips, falls; tie off ladder
 Tighten bolts on flanges
• Multiple entries – tighten two valves
▫ 1st entry – 5:40 am; 1 of 2 valves tightened
▫ 2nd entry – 6:40 am – 2 of 2 valves tightened
• Leak stopped – 7:00 am
▫ Ammonia readings subsided
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• After leak stopped; one of the valves
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• After leak stopped; one of the valves
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA RELEASE
• Lessons Learned
▫ SAFETY
▫ Continuous air monitoring – movement of
Incident Command Post due to wind shift
▫ Importance of pre-emergency planning with local
responders
HAZMAT
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
DECEMBER 10, 2013
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Contra Costa Haz Mat, Richmond Fire, and El Cerrito Fire were commended by
the County Supervisors for their efforts during the propane tanker rollover and
ammonia release incidents.
First Responder Awareness
• Safety
• Isolate/ Deny entry
• Notify
S
Safety
Safe Approach Upgrade
3 UP’s
Upstream
Upwind
On-scene Safety
Guidelines
• Do not rush to assist
• Treat unknowns as hazardous until
determined otherwise
• Safe distance; binoculars, rule of thumb
• Never eat, drink or smoke in the area
• Do not inhale, touch or ingest
• Eliminate all ignition sources – flares
• Reassess continually
DECEMBER 16, 2013 | CAER SAFETY SUMMIT 48
QUESTIONS?
(thank you.)
HAZMAT