AMAZINGLY POOR DECISION? And I am not referring to the media team, although I question their understanding of the risks they were taking! I am talking about the IC and the decision to permit a news crew to set up lights and camera in the HOT ZONE of an active release. This is the 2nd NH3 release in less than 30 days (Scene Management is a function of IC) that we have SERIOUSLY FAILED to implement the most basic of IC responsibilities… SCENE MANAGEMENT! The news crew in the video was permitted to set up their 10 p.m. live update with a SERIOUS and ACTIVE NH3 release in the background and folks they are a mere 100 yards from this active release (a 20 ton release as it tunrs out!). Have we lost all respect for anhydrous ammonia (NH3)? This is absolutely crazy – wind direction or no wind… your thoughts? CLICK HERE to see the series of video reports (2) from this scene! Click the read more to see another video of the attempt at capping this leak. This is also a GREAT video to show personnel what a 2″ pipe failure looks like when the excess flow valve on a tank fails to close!!!!
NOTE: According to local officials, the leak was caused by a tanker truck hitting a valve on ammonia loading rack. Efforts to cap the leaking valve by local fire department personnel failed to fully stop the leak and the tank continued to empty over the next 12 hours with fire officials spraying water on the discharge to minimize the spread of the vapor. Local officials estimate that 20 tons of the chemical was released along with about 100,000 gallons of water used by firefighters. The water runoff is believed to have gone into a branch of Kent Creek, which flows into a private pond. Officials and residents have reported dead fish and vegetation as well as a strong odor, resulting in eye, lung and skin irritation. The IEPA says the leak went on for 12 hours and almost 8,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia was released, and contaminated 100,000 gallons of water used by firefighters. The runoff went into a branch of the Kent Creek which flows into a private pond that killed dozens of fish.
NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER 1-800-424-8802
*** For Public Use ***
Information released to a third party shall comply with any applicable federal and/or state Freedom of Information and Privacy Laws
Incident Report # 1049299
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
*Report taken at 20:13 on 04-JUN-13
Incident Type: FIXED
Incident Cause: OTHER
Affected Area:
The incident occurred on 04-JUN-13 at 19:05 local time.
Affected Medium: AIR ATMOSPHERE
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SUSPECTED RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Organization: XXXXXXXXXXX
Type of Organization: PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
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INCIDENT LOCATION
1925 SOUTH MERIDIAN RD County: WINNEBAGO
City: ROCKFORD State: IL
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RELEASED MATERIAL(S)
CHRIS Code: AMA Official Material Name: AMMONIA, ANHYDROUS
Also Known As:
Qty Released: 0 UNKNOWN AMOUNT
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DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
CALLER STATED THAT AN OVERHEAD PIPE WAS BACKED INTO BY A TRACTOR TRAILER, CAUSING THE RELEASE OF AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF AMMONIA TO THE ATMOSPHERE.
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INCIDENT DETAILS
Package: NO
Building ID: AGG RETAIL
Type of Fixed Object: OTHER
Power Generating Facility: NO
Generating Capacity:
Type of Fuel:
NPDES:
NPDES Compliance: UNKNOWN
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DAMAGES
Fire Involved: NO
Fire Extinguished: UNKNOWN
INJURIES: NO
Hospitalized:
Empl/Crew:
Passenger:
FATALITIES: NO
Empl/Crew:
Passenger:
Occupant:
EVACUATIONS: NO
Who Evacuated:
Radius/Area:
Damages: NO
Length of Direction of Closure
Type
Description of Closure Closure Closure
Air: N
Major Artery: N
Road: N
Waterway: N
Track: N
Passengers Transferred: NO
Environmental Impact: UNKNOWN
Media Interest: NONE Community Impact due to Material:
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REMEDIAL ACTIONS
ALL VALVES WERE CLOSED THAT WERE CLOSABLE.
Release Secured: NO
Release Rate:
Estimated Release Duration:
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WEATHER
Weather: UNKNOWN, ºF
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ADDITIONAL AGENCIES NOTIFIED
Federal:
State/Local: POLICE, FIRE
State/Local On Scene: POLICE, FIRE
State Agency Number:
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NOTIFICATIONS BY NRC
ATLANTIC STRIKE TEAM (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
CG INVESTIGATIVE SVC CHICAGO (CGIS RAO CHICAGO) 04-JUN-13 20:16
DOT CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
EPA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION (CID REGION V) 04-JUN-13 20:16
U.S. EPA V (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:18
IL U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CENTRAL (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
IL DNR (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
IL STATE EMERG AGCY (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COORD CTR (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
NOAA RPTS FOR IL (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER HQ (AUTOMATIC REPORTS) 04-JUN-13 20:16
IL EPA ERT (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
WI DEPT NAT RES BUREAU OF LAW ENF (MAIN OFFICE) 04-JUN-13 20:16
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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*** END INCIDENT REPORT # 1049299 ***