SPECIAL SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Special Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on October 10, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. McGiffin, and Mr. Link. Mr. Lakeman was absent. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Speed were also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried.
City Manager’s Report - Reichhold Chemical Incident
During the Council meeting of August 28, 2006, staff was requested to provide a briefing on how and when the City became involved in the August 25, 2006 Reichhold Chemical incident and how its Emergency Plan was utilized in a coordinated response, especially the efforts taken by the City to communicate in a timely manner with the residents of Dover. Additionally, staff was requested to provide an update on the status and details of the City's training and plans for responding to any incident of this nature, as well as a re-examination by relevant City of Dover Departments of the daily use of the rail yard along New Burton Road for the marshaling and storage of Dow Reichhold train cars.
Mr. DePrima provided members with a report on the Reichhold Chemical incident which addressed how and when the City became involved in the incident, how the City’s Emergency Operations Plan was utilized, and provided an update on the status, including details, of the City’s training and plans for responding to any incident of this nature in the future. It also suggested the re-examine use of the rail yard along New Burton Road for the marshalship and storage of Dow Reichhold train cars with relevant City of Dover departments. Concluding the report were two time-lines of events completed by Lt. Paul M. Bernat, Dover Police Department, and Fire Chief Brian Bashista, Dover Fire Department.
Responding to Mr. Hogan, Mr. DePrima stated that the odor was caused by the evaporation of the chemical. Lt. Bernat stated that an inhibitor used to prevent the chemical from expanding was not working properly and the pressure release valve was allowing the chemical to leak out in order to reduce the pressure building up inside the tank. The rail car temperature, which was monitored by a robot, never exceeded 175 degrees. The temperature would have had to reach 400 degrees before the possibility of an explosion would exist.
Lt. Bernat noted that the State Police were present during the incident and some officers encouraged evacuation due to the strong odor in the area. The severity of the incident did not warrant the use of gas masks by the officers.
Mr. Hogan stated that the Federal Government is going to provide every public school in the Nation a NOAA radio for warnings of weather and other issues.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Lt. Bernat stated that a Joint Information Center is formed under the National Incident Command System so that all the information is released correctly and at the same time. He also noted that people were assigned to go door-to-door as another means of communication.
Mr. Ruane questioned what the evacuation radius would be if an incident occurred on New Burton Road. Responding, Lt. Bernat stated that it would depend on the type of incident. In the same scenario, there would be a 1,500 foot evacuation radius, if necessary, with notification within up to a five (5) mile radius.
Assistant Fire Chief Sean Christiansen stated that the Emergency Response Guides contain sufficient information regarding chemicals and what should be done while investigating the situation prior to the arrival of the professional hazmat team. He also noted that railcars should have placards or identification numbers indicating what type of chemicals are inside.
Mr. DePrima indicated that the length of time railcars can sit in one place on public tracks is regulated by Federal Guidelines and he believed that once the railcars reach Reichhold property they are regulated by company guidelines. Mr. Hogan noted that the problem of transporting hazardous materials extends from the railroad yards to the public highways.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend acceptance of the report (Attachment #1), as presented, seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried.
Responding to Mr. Link, Mr. Hogan stated there would be further discussion regarding the Reichhold incident, with a possible public hearing, during the October 24, 2006 Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting.
Mr. Link moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
KLH/jcr
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes200610-10-2006 SA&T SPECIAL.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - City Manager’s Report - Reichhold Chemical Incident