Residents Evacuated After Fire Spreads to Pesticides
—photographs copyrighted by Roger Lanborne.
A fire involving three greenhouses when the fire department arrived at the Brookville, Md., Plant Farm last March 21 spread to a storage building containing several kinds of pesticides. Toxic fumes forced the evacuation of nearby residents, and fire fighting had to be suspended. Fifty-five persons were injured, including 36 fire and rescue personnel (three admitted to intensive care, one admitted to a regular bed and 32 treated and released).
The first-in units from the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department were followed by other units from the Sandy Springs, Gaithersburg and Rockville Fire Departments.
Since the fire occurred in an area without hydrants, it was necessary to use a pond on the property. A relay was set up to move water to the scene.
Lines were placed to protect as many exposed buildings as possible. However, despite the best efforts of Laytonsville Chief Jim Snyder and the other fire fighters, fire reached the adjacent storage building because of the intensive heat of the three burning buildings, the limited number of personnel available and the close proximity of buildings.
A list of the different pesticides in the storage building was obtained when a fire prevention officer located and interviewed the owner of the facility. These included paraquat, aldicarb, diazinon, malathion, piramor, sumithrin, kelthane, benelate, zyban and methoxachlor.
Determining the danger
Once the list was obtained, CHEMTREC was called by communications personnel for information on the hazards of the various chemicals. In addition, a pesticide specialist was notified by CHEMTREC. He called the communications center with further information.
While securing information on the specific hazards, symptoms and treatment for exposure to the insecticides, several fire fighters became ill. One went into convulsions shortly after being placed in an ambulance. Other affected fire fighters were then taken to the hospital.
Based upon information provided by CHEMTREC and reference sources at the scene, all fire fighters from the downwind side were ordered from the immediate area. A staging area was set up 1 ½ miles from the scene for fire and rescue personnel and equipment.
Because of the heavy smoke then being generated, all civilians in an area up to half a mile downwind were ordered to be evacuated. Because of the time, 0100 hours, it meant that the civilians would have to be awakened.
Evacuation center
The evacuation order was transmitted to the senior police officer, who made arrangements for sufficient officers to carry out the evacuation. A church across the street from the staging area was selected as the evacuation area. The church social area was opened within 15 minutes, and the pastor was on hand to assist the evacuees.
The evacuation involved approximately 125 civilians, most of whom went to the church. Several individuals went to nearby homes of friends and relatives. One of the evacuees was nonambulatory and was brought to the church by ambulance.
Shortly after all the evacuees were assembled at the center, a fire service officer and a paramedic talked to them. The evacuees were told the reasons for the evacuation, possible dangers and symptoms of pesticide poisoning. Several questions arose concerning symptoms and possible problems with livestock. These questions were answered and none of these civilians was transported to a hospital.
Decision: stop attack
Because of the problem of water runoff and the potential exposure of the remaining fire fighters, the decision was made to allow the fire to burn itself out. There did not appear to be any danger of the fire spreading, but lines were kept available.
Many other fire fighters were concerned about possible exposure to the pesticide. While they didn’t show any symptoms, it was felt they should be checked by medical personnel. They were transported by ambulances and administrative vehicles. The hospital was alerted by the communications center of this large influx of patients.
The on-duty emergency medical services officer was at the command post and maintained radio communications with the hospital on the EMS frequency. When the initial hospital became overloaded, radio contact with the next closest hospital was established.
Decontamination begins
Decontamination of the victims was an important requirement for the hospital. The emergency room staff set up an efficient process to minimize the contamination of the hospital itself. This process involved removal of fire fighting gear and outer clothing outside the hospital and placing everything in plastic bags.
Next, inside the hospital, inner clothing was removed and placed in plastic bags, and the patients were issued hospital gowns. The individuals then showered and were issued another clean hospital gown. Finally, clean clothes were brought from home for each individual.
After decontamination, those exhibiting symptoms of poisoning were given blood tests and chest X rays. The individuals also were given instructions on the cleaning techniques for their inner and outer clothing.
Decontamination of the apparatus and equipment was necessary. A process was established so that all trucks, hose and breathing apparatus were cleaned correctly. The process will vary according to the nature of the chemical involved. Runoff water from the decontamination was not contained. About four hours after the civilians were told to leave their homes, the fire in the storage building burned itself out. With little smoke being generated, the evacuees were allowed to return home and the shelter was shut down.
Approximately 48 hours after the incident, a police officer who had helped with the evacuation began experiencing poisoning symptoms. Treatment was provided at the hospital emergency room, and the officer was referred to a neurologist. Treatment continued for over a month.
All the fire fighters were released after three days in the hospital. They have all returned to their jobs, but follow-up care is being provided.
Problems, solutions
Problems are certain to be experienced at an incident as large as this one. Once the problems are identified, solutions to them can be developed. Some observations on problems and solutions from this incident follow:
- Advance knowledge that the facility stores pesticides (type and quantity) is important. Preplanning is valuable, but the personnel turnover of many facilities is so great that maintaining up-to-date records becomes difficult. Some type of external marking on the buildings is being considered to indicate hazardous materials.
- There was a lack of adequate protective clothing to prevent absorption of the chemical through the skin. The training program for handling pesticide incidents must stress the need for breathing apparatus, sealing all openings in clothing and covering all exposed skin.
- Some of the emergency room personnel were not familiar with the requirements for handling the medical aspects of the exposure. There is a need to work with the local medical society to ensure that emergency department physicians and nurses are trainer! in this type of emergency.
- Decontamination of apparatus and equipment is a problem. Besides the process which must be followed (according to the recommendations of the particular manufacturer of a chemical), the water runoff should be contained and disposed of properly. A decontamination officer should be appointed to ensure that the process is followed.
- Personnel performing the evacuation need to be protected from the fumes with SCBA. If law enforcement personnel do not have this gear, the area directly exposed to fumes should be evacuated by fully protected fire service personnel. However, law enforcement personnel should be trained in the wearing of full protective gear, including breathing apparatus, in case the evacuated area needs protection while the chemical danger is still present.
- There was also a lack of knowledge on the responsibilities of the various local and state agencies. Conflicting information was provided by these groups after they were informed of the incident. A hazardous materials disaster plan must be developed and involve all of the agencies. Then, training with this plan must be conducted.
