The National Oceanic And 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins · called for a much more active...

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The 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

Long-Range Meteorologist and Hurricane Forecasters have called for a much more active 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1st, and runs through November 30th. with above-normal threats on the U.S. coastline. Points to consider: The average North Atlantic hurricane season consists of nine to fourteen tropical storms. Of those, between four and seven could develop into hurricanes, according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Be aware that first responders are a critical part of our country infrastructure when disaster strikes. Each year natural disasters create major problems around the world, with storms and floods dominating the statistics, contributing more than two thirds to the major disasters. Consider that one of the most damaging, and deadly events that can occur is the hurricane. When hurricanes move ashore, they bring with them a storm surge of ocean water along the coastline, high winds, tornadoes, and both torrential rains and flooding. Buildings, trees, power lines, roads and bridges may be damaged or destroyed by hurricane-force winds (74 mph or more). Additionally, debris from the high winds can damage property, block roads, and bridges. Furthermore, widespread torrential rains often in excess of 6 inches can produce deadly and destructive floods, which are not just limited to the coastline, often extending hundreds of miles inland.

June 2, 2010

The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an “active to extremely active” hurricane season outlook for the Atlantic Basin this year. The NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of the following ranges:

o 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher)

o 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which,

o 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)

This outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place.


Homegrown Terror Added To Security Strategy According to a recently Issued Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report the pace and number of attempted terror attacks against the U.S. over the past nine months has surpassed the number of attempts during any previous one-year period, prompting the President to add homegrown terrorism to the administration's top national security priorities. Points to consider: Consider that according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, for the first time in nearly four years, a majority of Americans think that an act of terrorism is likely to occur somewhere in the US in the near future. Additionally, John Brennan, an assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, has said that the US is "now facing a new phase of the terrorist threat from “foot soldiers”, that don’t fit the traditional profile.” Additionally, CIA Director Leon Panetta has said that al-Qaeda leaders remain determined to kill as many Americans as possible and recent thwarted terror plots in the U.S. indicate the terror network is changing its tactics by deploying people without a history of terrorist activity or documented connection to the organization. An example of this threat was evidenced in a Senate report released earlier this year which said authorities believe as many as three dozen Americans converted to Islam while in US prisons then traveled to Yemen once released vanishing for weeks, believed to be training with al-Qaeda. Mr. Panetta also said another new form of terrorist threat is the "lone wolf" who becomes self-radicalized and decides on his own to take violent action without al-Qaeda taking a direct role. Consider that eight years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, added security has made it much harder for foreign terrorists to enter, operate and attempt to carry out operations here in our country. In response terror groups are thought to be increasingly turning to individuals already in the US, either U.S. citizens or other legal residents in attempts to garner new recruits and carry out terrorist acts.

Terror’s Weapon Of Choice Organic peroxides are can increasingly preferred as explosives by terrorists because they can be easily prepared and be purchased off the shelf. Points to consider: Experts say that organic peroxides have become the “explosive of choice” by terror groups because they can be easily prepared and don't require off-the-shelf purchases that run the risk of detection. According to Erroll Southers, the chief of intelligence and counterterrorism at Los Angeles International Airport, peroxide-based bombs are on the rise all over the world. "Peroxide-based explosives are the weapon of choice in the Middle East," he said. "They leave no residue, they’re extremely volatile, they’re easy to make and they’ve been quite effective."

Terror Watch Issued The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an alert to law enforcement, to be on the lookout for a Somali man who is believed to be member of al Shabaab, preparing to cross from Mexico into Texas.

Points to consider: The warning follows a recently unsealed indictment accusing a Texas man of running a “large-scale smuggling ring” bringing Somalis through South America and eventually exploiting our porous 2,000-mile southern border, crossing into the US. Additionally, in a potentially related incident an Aero Mexico flight from Paris to Mexico city, was diverted to Montreal, where a 36-year-old is a Somali national who holds residence status in the US, believed headed for the US via Mexico was removed. Remember the 20 young Somali-American men from the Minneapolis area that turned up in Somalia with al-Shabaab, leading to fears that they could be indoctrinated and then returned to the US with the intention to conduct attacks within the US.

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The Threat Of Pre-Paid Cell Phones Pre-paid phones have a lot of advantages, especially for those who don't have enough money for a phone contract. They can be bought for as little as $20. They do not require purchasers to sign a contract or have a credit card, are difficult or impossible to track, making them ideal for terrorists. Points to consider: More than 2.6 billion people use cell Phones worldwide with more than 240 million users in the US alone. They are also the number-one IED triggering devices used by terrorists. A call to such a phone triggered the 2004 train bombing that killed 191 people in Madrid. Consider that criminals, and terrorist’s use prepaid cell phones because traditional cell phones can't guarantee that kind of anonymity. Pre-paid cell phones can be purchased for cash where no name is asked in order to activate the cell phone service and can be used almost anywhere in the world.

Terror On The Gyaneswari Express Authorities say that Maoists caused the ‘high speed” Howrah-Kurla Lomanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express train to derail between Khemasoli and Sardiya stations where it was struck by a freight train travelling in the opposite direction. Points to consider: The toll in the disaster has climbed to 145 deaths with many others injured. Police say an investigation is under way to determine the cause of derailment and are looking into the possibility that "fishplates" which secure the rail joints were missing from the track. Be aware that terror against rail passengers and transport is not a new phenomenon; only the scale, sophistication and public impact of the recent attacks sets them apart. For a variety of reasons, similar attacks or attempts at attacks are likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. Stations, rail lines, people/ hazardous materials, and other freight are everywhere, and difficult to defend. Train cars carry hundreds of passengers in an enclosed environment where a medium size explosion will wreak maximum damage, and the potential for economic disruption is substantial and the multiple modes of terror delivery are simple, which should make us realize that the terrorist threat to mass transportation must never be underestimated because is attractive in part because it can be carried out with minimal resources in numerous ways. Additionally, consider that according to the Mineta Transportation Institute’s (MTI) counter-terrorism expert Brian Michael Jenkins this train derailment could have serious implications for other countries. Mr. Jenkins said that “terrorists make note of methods, taking lessons from all attempts, whether successful or not, and could apply these lessons to other systems.”

Social Networks Aiding Terror Social networking sites can provide a means to bring like-minded individuals together, and now the FBI is seeing an increase in the use of these websites by radical groups.

Points to consider: The Internet has become their propaganda and recruitment platform, data source, fund raising tool, and means to transfer knowledge such as bomb making as well as a means for operational planning. Bruce Hoffman, a Georgetown University professor had commented on the subject saying “people have become self-radicalized with the aid of the Internet and commit violence without having to cross borders to reach their targets. Such cases appear to be growing, with most of them involving people who have no direct ties to overseas terror networks. Al-Qaeda leaders have encouraged this trend of self-radicalization through voluminous messages on the Web”, Hoffman said. In 2008, a posting on a radical jihadist web forum urged members to use Facebook to spread jihadist ideas. Consider the theory that the war on terror is fundamentally a war of ideas. If true then al-Qaeda’s direct access to such a large community of online jihadist sympathizers is a bad sign, and should be viewed as a major concern as a present and future threat.

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Enhanced Air Cargo Screening Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay announced recently that Ottawa is spending $95.7 million over the next five years to improve the inspection of cargo at Canadian airports. Points to consider: While the screening of airline passengers has been stepped up in, counter-terrorism officials have pointed to cargo shipments as a potential weak link in our defenses. The new plan involves utilizing a multi-tiered approach, which involves, additional screeners, new technology, and some old-school measures such as sniffer dogs. Consider that civil aviation remains a favorite target of terrorist attacks globally, offering the kind of high-profile targets that terrorists seek.

Gun Ring Busted New Jersey officials announced recently that nine people have been arrested on gun trafficking charges and at least 85 weapons have been seized, including a machine gun and a grenade launcher. Points to consider: The arrests were the latest in a crackdown on illegal firearms that started in 2008, when investigators began using the federal e-Trace database maintained by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that tracks guns recovered in crimes. Consider that e-Trace facilitates firearms tracing and assists ATF’s efforts to combat firearms trafficking by providing an electronic exchange of crime gun incident data in a Web-based environment with a portal to the Firearms Tracing System (FTS) database.

Passenger Train Derails Five people suffered minor injuries when an Amtrak passenger train headed from St. Louis to Chicago derailed in suburban St. Louis, MO recently. Points to consider: Amtrak officials say it's not yet known what caused the two cars to leave the tracks. Consider that although railroading today is the safest of all modes of American transportation and, train accidents are at one of their lowest levels ever, mass transportation accidents do happen and can have a profound effect on first a responders operation. Train cars carry hundreds of passengers in an enclosed environment; recognize that this incident highlights the potential for mass casualty incident that is present in our aging rail system. Prior to commencing operations, size-up is crucial in evaluating hazards, tactics, and available resources

NTSB Makes “Urgent” Recommendation Over the past two years the failure of General Electric engines on jet aircraft overseas has prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to issue an "urgent" recommendation to increase inspections of these engines on U.S. aircraft.

Points to consider: At issue is the General Electric CF6-45/50 series jet engines, used on some Airbus A300s, Boeing 747s, DC-10s, MD-10s and U.S. Air Force KC-10s. The NTSB’s urgent recommendation is to inspect these engines every 15 flights until the disks can be replaced with improved parts. Consider that although none of the overseas incidents resulted in crashes, injuries or fatalities, experts say these "uncontained engine failures" should be considered particularly dangerous. This year’s conference will be held October 25th-29th, 2010 at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Some areas of focus for the conference:

• Evolution of Mass Hostage Siege Tactics • Protecting Large Gatherings • Soft Target Attacks (Mumbai Attack) • Psychological Impact and Implications to First Responders

Call 866-573-3999


Canadian Wildfires Hundreds of firefighters from across North America being sent to help in Quebec where more than 1,300 people in the province have been driven from their homes, most ending up in evacuation centers in La Tuque, Joliette and Mont-Laurier. Points to consider: Quebec's fire prevention agency (SOPFEU) reports that 62 fires were still active, with 14 still burning out of control burning at least 27,600 hectares of forest. Consider that fighting wild-land fires requires different techniques, equipment, and training from the structure fires. These wildfire-trained firefighters suppress flames, construct “fire lines”, and extinguish flames and areas of heat to protect resources and natural wilderness.

Storm Wreaks Havoc Emergency workers struggled to reach isolated communities cut off by washed-out roads and collapsed bridges caused recently by Tropical Storm Agatha, which has killed at least 150 people and left thousands homeless in Central America. Points to consider: Consider that first responders are a critical part of our country infrastructure when disaster strikes. Each year natural disasters create major problems around the world, with earthquakes, storms and floods dominating the statistics, contributing more than two thirds to the major disasters.

Liquid Latex Leaks From Derailed Train Derails At least nine cars in a Providence & Worcester freight train derailed recently in Lisbon, Connecticut. One of the derailed cars was carrying 25,000 gallons of liquid latex, which sprung a leak. Points to consider: Liquid latex is a milky white liquid that is insoluble in water, incompatible with strong acids and metals. When burning produces dense black smoke and noxious gases (carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons).

Hazmat Called After Truck Rolls Into Ditch Hazmat 3, Oregon’s hazardous-materials response team was called to Oregon City recently after a crop-duster supply truck carrying powdered insecticide and jet fuel overturned. Points to consider: Fortunately the material did not spill and firefighters were able to safely remove it without incident. Consider that every day, some 800,000 hazardous materials are shipped on the road, carrying everything from chlorine and gasoline to liquefied natural gas and radioactive material, making the potentially harmful properties of these substances a major risk.

Fire And Chemical Spill Causes Alarm Several fire departments responded to a small fire at Masland Carpets in Atmore, Fla and quickly contained an associated chemical spill.

Points to consider: The fire was quickly extinguished by the Atmore Fire Department, and a potential hazardous materials situation caused when powdered bleach and a dioxide were mixed, and the combination spontaneously combusted. Consider that bleach (UN 1791) is stable under normal temperatures and pressures, It is incompatible with amines, ammonia, ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium oxalate, ammonium phosphate, cellulose, and ethyleneimine, strong acids, reducing agents, amines, and ammonia salts. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 154.

Fight Flood Water with Water, not SAND!!!

Flood-Sax: instantly available, activates immediately, and stacks in seconds. For information call 1-866-573-3999


Liquid Asphalt Spill A tanker truck carrying liquid asphalt overturned on an exit ramp off Interstate 71 just south of Lodi, Ohio recently, spilling liquid on the roadway. Points to consider:

Liquid asphalt (UN 3257) is a black viscous semi-solid at ambient temperature, liquid at high temperatures with a petroleum odor. It is carried heated inside the truck. Hydrogen sulphide, an extremely flammable and toxic gas, and other hazardous vapors may evolve and collect in the headspace of storage tanks, transport vessels and other enclosed containers. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 128.

Spill Forces Road Closure Hazardous materials crews were called to Manassas, VA recently after several motorists complained of discomfort when they drove through a spill on the roadway, which was determined to be muriatic acid. Points to consider: Muriatic Acid (UN 1789) is the same chemical as Hydrochloric Acid, and is one of the most corrosive of acids. Uses include cleaning brick, etching concrete, cleaning metal and for swimming pool maintenance. Contact with metals produces hydrogen gas, which can form flammable or explosive mixtures in air. Will generate heat when mixed with alkalis. Reacts with sulphides, phosphides, cyanides, acetylides, fluorides, silicides, and carbides, and releases flammable and/or poisonous gasses. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 157.

Chlorine Leak Results In Evacuations The Austin Fire Department responded to a hazardous material incident after a chlorine tank sprung a leak at a business facility, triggering the partial evacuation of an Austin, TX neighborhood. Points to consider: Chlorine gas (UN 1017) is heavier than air, with strong irritating bleach like odor. It is a corrosive and irritating to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chlorine is an oxidizer and may explode or accelerate combustion if in contact with reducing agents. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 124.

Chemical Spill Brings Hazmat Response Authorities ordered an evacuation of the Leetsdale, PA Industrial park recently as Allegheny County emergency and hazardous materials crews worked to stabilize an ammonium persulfate spill at Weatherford’s engineered chemistry center. Points to consider: Ammonium persulfate (UN 1444) is described as colorless or white crystals. Considered stable but may ignite combustible material. It is incompatible with bases, combustible material, hydrogen peroxide, peroxy compounds, silver compounds, and zinc. May decompose upon exposure to water or moist air. In the case of fire, smoke fumes of sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide may be produced. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 140.

Chlorine Explosion A Sanford, Maine resident was getting ready to open his swimming pool and poured chlorine granules from one container into a utility bucket .The granules apparently reacted with residue in the other container, resulting in an explosive reaction sending three people to the hospital.

Points to consider: Chlorine (UN 1017) and water can be very corrosive. Corrosion of metal containers can make leaks worse. Although non-flammable, chlorine is a strong oxidizer and will support the burning of most combustible materials. Flammable gases and vapors can form explosive mixtures with chlorine. Chlorine can react violently when in contact with many materials and generate heat with possible flammable or explosive vapors. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and will collect in low-lying areas. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 124.


Tragic Accident Firefighters recently had to rescue two other firefighters that were overcome while attempting to rescue two men overcome by fumes they encountered while working in a well, near Muncie, Indiana. Points to consider: The firefighters and victims were rushed to the Hospital. Delaware County authorities have said that at least one of the original victims has died. Confined space means a space that has any of the following characteristics: limited openings for entry and exit; unfavorable natural ventilation; not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Consider that each confined space will present different hazards and degrees of risk and a greater likelihood of causing fatalities, severe injuries.

Hazmat Responds To Chemical Leak The Anderson County hazardous material team responded to a Pilot gas station on Highway 86 in Anderson County, SC recently to handle an acrylonitrile leak from a tanker truck. Points to consider: Acrylonitrile (UN 1093) is a clear colorless or slightly yellow highly flammable liquid with a pungent odor. Ingestion or inhalation can be fatal. Considered unstable and light sensitive, it is incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents, amines, and bromine. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 131P.

Hazardous Leak At University’s Plant Officials shut down plant, which generates electricity and heat for Princeton University’s campus after workers reported a leak at the campus’s cogeneration power plant. Points to consider: Public Safety officers followed emergency procedures establishing an initial “hot zone” surrounding the building as a Trenton hazardous material team arrived on scene to deal with the liquid, described as a byproduct of the production process at the plant, that leaked from a 10,000-gallon holding tank.

Crash Closes I-465 The Indiana State Police shut down westbound lanes of interstate 465 after an early morning accident involving a semi hauling sodium hydroxide, requiring a major clean up. Points to consider: Sodium hydroxide (Lye) or caustic soda (UN1823) is often used as a drain or pipe cleaner. It is an odorless white solid or a clear to milky solution. It reacts with water or moisture to produce large amounts of heat, and reacts with some metals to produce highly flammable hydrogen gas. It can cause irritation to the skin on contact and is considered an inhalation irritant. For general operating procedures refer the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 154.

Crash Turns Turnpike Into Parking Lot A 26-mile stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike was closed recently after a fatal crash involving an overturned tanker truck carrying 8,000-gallons of kerosene, and heating oil, which spilled on the road.

Points to consider: Kerosene (UN 1223) is a Colorless to pale straw, or red oily flammable liquid with characteristic odor. Under normal conditions, the material is stable. Avoid sources of ignition such as flames, hot surfaces, sparks, and electrical equipment. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers such as chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen tetraoxide, concentrated oxygen, and sodium hypochlorite or other hypochlorites. Additionally, fuel oil (UN 1993) vapors may be ignited rapidly when exposed to heat, spark, open flame or other source of ignition. When mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source, flammable vapors can burn in the open or explode in confined spaces. Being heavier than air, vapors may travel long distances to an ignition source and flash back. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 128.


Chemical Mixture Leads To Evacuation A Hazmat team was called to the Essex III in Salem, Ohio recently after a maintenance man mixing chemicals for the laundry service accidentally mixed the wrong chemicals including hydrofluoric acid causing a reaction and release of toxic vapors. Points to consider:

Hydrofluoric acid (Hydrogen fluoride) UN: 1790 is a corrosive, poisonous liquid. It contains fluorine and has an acrid (Strong.) odor. It can exist as a colorless gas; a fuming liquid, or it can be dissolved in water. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 157.

Niagara Falls Hazardous Material Incident Four firefighters were taken to the Hospital as a result of exposure to a chemical leak at the Tier Environmental Services Cleaning Facility, in Niagara Falls, NY after a worker cleaning a tanker trailer suffered severe burns on his upper extremities when he spilled Iodine Pentaflouride. Points to consider: Upon entering the building, the firefighters were greeted by a visible cloud of vapor, and immediately evacuated all employees inside the facility and told workers in four neighboring buildings to “shelter in place”. Consider that Iodine Pentaflouride (UN 2495) is a slightly colored corrosive liquid with a pungent odor. Reacts violently on contact with water, corrosive and irritating to the upper and lower respiratory tracts, skin and eyes. It hydrolyzes very rapidly yielding hydrofluoric acid so that skin burns and mucosal irritation are like that from exposure to that acid. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 144.

Ammonium Hydroxide Leak Hazmat crews were called recently to control an ammonium hydroxide release inside a Mattawa, Washington sewage treatment plant. Points to consider: Ammonium Hydroxide (UN 2672) is a colorless liquid with an intense, pungent suffocating odor. It is considered very hazardous in case of skin contact. Stable under normal temperatures and pressure, it forms explosive compounds with many heavy metals such as silver, lead, zinc and their halide salts. It can form shock sensitive compounds with halogens, mercury oxide, and silver oxide. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 154.

Anhydrous Ammonia Leak The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service responded recently to the Beef City plant in Toowoomba, Queensland, AU after anhydrous ammonia leaked from a defective cold-room valve, exposing workers. Points to consider: Anhydrous ammonia (1005) is a colorless cryogenic liquid or gas that is very corrosive to body tissues, reacting with body moisture on contact. It has a strong, pungent odor and may be shipped or stored as a compressed gas or cryogenic liquid. It produces a toxic, visible or invisible gas cloud that is lighter than air but may hug the ground when cool. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 125.

I-80 Closed After Tanker Crash The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) closed Interstate-80 when a tanker truck hauling diesel fuel spilling an estimated 2,600 gallons of diesel.

Points to consider: Diesel fuel (UN 1993) vapors may be ignited rapidly when exposed to heat, spark, open flame or other source of ignition. When mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source, flammable vapors can burn in the open or explode in confined spaces. Being heavier than air, vapors may travel long distances to an ignition source and flash back. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 128.


Chemical Mix At Wastewater Plant Recently a chemical mishap during the offloading of liquid chlorine into a storage tank at the Delphos, Ohio wastewater treatment plant resulted in four people to complain of respiratory ailments and forcing the evacuation of the facility. Points to consider: Authorities are investigating to determine if the liquid-chlorine was pumped into the wrong tank or if there was an open valve between the chlorine tank and one of oxalic acid, which combined to form a gas. Consider that chlorine (UN 1017) is a clear, amber colored liquid with a suffocating, pungent, irritating odor. Chlorine and water can be very corrosive. Corrosion of metal containers can make leaks worse. Although non-flammable, chlorine is a strong oxidizer and will support the burning of most combustible materials. Flammable gases and vapors can form explosive mixtures with chlorine. Chlorine can react violently when in contact with many materials and generate heat with possible flammable or explosive vapors. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and will collect in low-lying areas. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 124.

Hazardous Chemical Leak Traffic on Highway 51, and several nearby businesses were evacuated after sulfur trioxide leaked from a storage bin at the Lucite plant in Memphis, TN. Points to consider: Sulfur trioxide (UN 1829) is a clear colorless fuming oily liquid. The product is considered stable but it reacts violently with water to emit toxic gases or it may become self-reactive under conditions of shock or increase in temperature or pressure. Also reactive with oxidizing agents, metals, alkalis, moisture. Absorbs moisture from the air. On exposure to air, absorbs moisture rapidly, emitting dense white fumes. For general operating procedures refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide # 137.

Metallurgy Plant Fire Hazmat teams were called to the scene of a fire at the SPX manufacturing plant on Highway 24 in Newport, NC due to the chemicals is used in the plant. Points to consider: As a result of the residual paint, metallurgy components, poly resin and pigmentation used in the process, decontamination areas were established for firefighters and Hazmat teams who had entered the building where they were washed down. Consider that the factors that affect the vulnerability of responders and the public include the nature of the hazard, the level of exposure, availability of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), access into and out of the site, the degree to which responders are prepared and trained to deal with the incident and the amount of training provided. Ensuring that information on the chemicals involved on the incident is readily available can reduce this vulnerability.

Hazmat Called For Downed Transformer When fire crews arrived at Niagara Falls Boulevard in Eggertsville, NY recently, they found that a utility truck had knocked down a utility pole causing the transformer on top of the pole to break open and the fluid to leak.

Points to consider: The Brighton Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to the scene, and contained the leaking fluid so National Grid and a private contractor could handle the cleanup. Consider that from approximately 1930 through 1979 PCB was used as a dielectric fluid and coolant in old electrical transformers and capacitors, and today the use of PCB in existing electrical devices has all but disappeared, but these devices still may have became cross contaminated with PCB from PCB contaminated pumping equipment. Responders should use extreme caution until the properties of the fluids are verified.


Fast Hurricane Facts: o Hurricanes have male and female names, but at one point only female names were

used. o Most hurricanes rage harmlessly in the sea. o Australians call hurricanes, willy-willies. o The New England Hurricane of 1938 is reported to have the fastest forward speed

for a hurricane at 70 mph. The forward speed for an average hurricane is less than 20 mph.

o Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean runs from June 1 to November 30.

Here are some handy resources to learn more about hurricanes and tropical storms.

o National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

o Hurricane information for kids http://www.weatherwizkids.com/hurricane1.htm

o Online Meteorology Guide

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/home.rxml

o Info on hurricanes provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/

The National Oceanic And 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins · called for a much more active...

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