SCOTT FIREFIGHTERS FOCUS ON SPILLS

Fire personnel in Scott County have been working to implement a command structure for handling hazardous material spills and large fires.

They have had ample opportunity this week to practice that command system with an anhydrous ammonia spill in Delta Monday night and a fire at Sikeston Creosoting near Vanduser Tuesday.

John Sachen, a training officer for the Delta Fire Protection District, said the Incident Command System was implemented immediately at both emergencies.

ICS was established through OSHA, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency as a way of dealing most effectively with emergency situations. ICS, if properly followed, also shields local rescue agencies from liability should something go wrong during an emergency response.

ICS establishes supervisors in 16 areas ranging from an overall commander to press information officer and inventory specialist.

One of the most important aspects of ICS is the careful handling of firefighters as they work a scene. Three firefighters were sent to area hospitals for observation from the two incidents.

Sachen said none of the firefighters suffered severe injuries, due in part to safety precautions laid out by ICS.

Two Delta firefighters were treated and held for observation at Southeast Missouri Hospital Monday night after nearly 4,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia leaked from a fertilizer trailer. The ammonia, which is stored as a liquid, reverts to a cold gas when it is released. It causes severe frost burns and respiratory problems.

Sachen said the two firefighters, who were the first people at the scene, drove into a fog of the gas as they approached. He said dispatched descriptions of where the spill was were not specific, and the firefighters approached the scene from an area they thought was safe. Once they encountered the fog and smelled the ammonia, they stopped their vehicle and put on air masks.

They were instructed at that point to block off that portion of the road.

Sachen said the firefighters were examined after the incident by paramedics at the scene. They both described a slight irritation in their throat and were transported for observation, he said. They were released from the hospital around 1:30 a.m.

A Morehouse firefighter was transported to another hospital after suffering mild heat exhaustion while fighting the creosote fire. Sachen said 13 fire departments responded to that blaze, which took more than five hours to extinguish.

The treatment of this firefighter was an example of the type of response the ICS system establishes during an emergency. The firefighter looked like he was struggling and was taken to the rehabilitation area where he was doused with iced water to bring his body temperature down.

His condition, pulse and respiration were monitored and he was watched as he recovered. Sachen said the quick reaction by paramedics did not prepare the firefighter to return to action but may have staved off worse complications.

Sachen said this is the worst time of year for firefighters. With the weather changing from cool to hot, firefighters will experience more exhaustion and more heat-related problems. He said spring is even worse than summer for heat problems because by June and August firefighters have adjusted to the conditions.

Sachen said the firefighter did not want to go to the hospital but was convinced to as a precaution.

Roger English, a volunteer firefighter and paramedic with Cape County Private Ambulance Service, is working with Sachen to set up a standard set of safety procedures rescue workers would follow at every emergency. He said it is too soon to comment on the progress of that system.

English said the county is trying to follow state and federal guidelines in its procedures, but coordinating that through a diverse group of volunteer fire departments may take some time.