We have an uncontrolled release from our PSM/RMP covered process today, February 5, 2019. We have trained for this day. We have inspected our gear, well most of it, each month for years. We don our LEVEL A suits, which have been pressure tested annually and cared for per every single manufacturer’s requirements. Under our LEVEL A’s, are our SCBAs; again inspected and maintained per every single requirement put forth by the manufacturer. Training… heck we train monthly for 2 hours and even do an annual 24-hour HAZMAT course and out IC’s go through 16 additional hours. The day we have prepared for has arrived and we are so full of our selves – knowing that we have done it right. But there is always that little gnawing feeling as they’re zipping you up inside the LEVEL; from the Decon Techs – to the IC – to the HAZMAT Tech being zipped up, we have that little safety birdie that sits on our shoulder reminding us of all those training moments that we had forgotten until this moment. We join hands and walk where only crazy men/women walk… into the promised land of a HAZMAT cloud. I can remember each and every one of my times (and there are nearly 100) just like I can remember the birth of my children (only two). My partner and I arrive at the leak point and prepare our equipment, of which we are so proud to have; we look down as we are assembling the MOST CRITICAL PART of our response only to see this… (the moment when you look at each other and begin doubting the LEVEL A and SCBA you are wearing!)
Emergency Responders: Why has my day, today February 5, 2019, just gone from bad to worst-ever?