Reposted from: New Iberia Parish Haz Mat Response Unit
KLFY - Lafayette,LA,USA
and No Spill Zone
New Iberia Parish Haz Mat Response Unit
Posted: Dec 12, 2007 01:36 PM EST
Quicker response times. That’s what the Fire Chief says Iberia Parish will see now that their Fire Department has their own Haz-Mat spill Response Unit.
Fire Chief Chad Sonnier Says: ”In the past it would take an hour and a half of response time before they’ve even made it on the scene for search and rescue efforts to begin. Now, with this truck in service we’ll have rescue efforts underway with in 10 minutes after dispatch.”
The unit was first used when a Navy training jet crashed near the Acadiana Regional Airport. Using things like special absorbent pads and containment booms, Firefighters soaked up leaking jet fuel. Because of this equipment, the Fire Chief tells us the spill had a zero percent impact on the environment.
The unit has things like splash suits. They cover the entire body and protect Firefighters from chemical exposure. Special equipment like Spill Blocker Dikes can connect to form a perimeter on land to contain chemicals. The same can be done on water with BoomDikes. The unit even contains special blockers to fit over drains to keep chemicals from leaking through.
Fire Chief Chad Sonnier tells us since July his Department has received eight calls for flammable liquids spills. Before this new unit was established, the Parish was able to get private companies to respond to seven of those spills. At the latest spill the Department was able to successfully respond to with their new equipment.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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1 comment:
I originally came across this article in December of 2007 and posted it in my blog No Spill Zone. I have reposted it here because it demonstrates the benefits of communities investing in Hazmat Units.
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