When it comes to toxic chemicals, only first responders with hazmat training are allowed to help with emergency response. Belfast fire department has that training and it became essential when Penobscot McCrum potato processing plant went up in flames. “If they don’t have the hazard material training they’re actually not supposed to respond,” said Dale Rowley, the director of Waldo County Emergency Management Agency. “Legally, they shouldn’t have shown up if they were only ‘hazmat awareness’ level so it did make a big difference.” RELATED: Massive fire at potato factory believed to be caused by fryolator Belfast firefighters are outfitted with hazmat training and equipment that was paid for by Penobscot McCrum LLC following a 2016 EPA citation. After a 2014 inspection, the EPA filed a report citing eight possible violations at the facility. The report said the company violated Clean Air Laws and did not meet Emergency Risk Management regulations. According to that report, if an ammonia leak were to occur, the closet team equipped to respond was located an hour away. Penobscot McCrum agreed to implement stronger emergency protocols and pay $143,900 in fines. Most of that went towards local emergency response training. “Part of the fine could be spent on local projects, and they helped to provide hazard materials response equipment to the Belfast fire department,” said Rowley.RELATED: Gov. Mills surveys damage at McCrum facilityThe facility regularly stores over 10,000 pounds of ammonia on site for refrigeration and freezing. Ammonia exposure can cause serious health issues and even death. The potato plant is close to residential areas, schools, and a nursing home so any leakage could have a disastrous impact. Ammonia is also flammable, so a leak could result in an explosion. First responders successfully kept those risks at bay.”All indications are that they handled it like any type of hazmat team would deal with that situation,” said Nathan Thompson, Hazard and Oil Responder with Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “So yes, we’re very impressed.”
When it comes to toxic chemicals, only first responders with hazmat training are allowed to help with emergency response. Belfast fire department has that training and it became essential when Penobscot McCrum potato processing plant went up in flames.
“If they don’t have the hazard material training they’re actually not supposed to respond,” said Dale Rowley, the director of Waldo County Emergency Management Agency. “Legally, they shouldn’t have shown up if they were only ‘hazmat awareness’ level so it did make a big difference.”
RELATED: Massive fire at potato factory believed to be caused by fryolator
Belfast firefighters are outfitted with hazmat training and equipment that was paid for by Penobscot McCrum LLC following a 2016 EPA citation. After a 2014 inspection, the EPA filed a report citing eight possible violations at the facility. The report said the company violated Clean Air Laws and did not meet Emergency Risk Management regulations. According to that report, if an ammonia leak were to occur, the closet team equipped to respond was located an hour away.
Penobscot McCrum agreed to implement stronger emergency protocols and pay $143,900 in fines. Most of that went towards local emergency response training.
“Part of the fine could be spent on local projects, and they helped to provide hazard materials response equipment to the Belfast fire department,” said Rowley.
RELATED: Gov. Mills surveys damage at McCrum facility
The facility regularly stores over 10,000 pounds of ammonia on site for refrigeration and freezing. Ammonia exposure can cause serious health issues and even death. The potato plant is close to residential areas, schools, and a nursing home so any leakage could have a disastrous impact. Ammonia is also flammable, so a leak could result in an explosion. First responders successfully kept those risks at bay.
“All indications are that they handled it like any type of hazmat team would deal with that situation,” said Nathan Thompson, Hazard and Oil Responder with Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “So yes, we’re very impressed.”
