Preparing for a Hazmat spill

Going about our daily routine, or even traveling down our Wyoming roads, the thought of a hazardous material (Hazmat) spill and what to do if there is one is probably the furthest things from our minds.

However, Hazmat spills are the leading threat in most communities across the country which have a highway or railway running through them. On a regular basis around the U. S. we are dealing with some kind of chemical spill every day.

You probably wouldn’t realize it, but there is an enormous amount of chemicals that pass through our town every day. How many tankers do you see passing through that are carrying gasoline or diesel fuel? There is also liquid fertilizer going down the road, all manner of liquefied gasses and corrosive materials.

The railroad also has cars that carry all kinds of things that are highly flammable or dangerous to humans in liquid, gaseous and powder forms.

There are plenty of Hazmat materials that are stored in the county, too.

Hot Springs County does have a plan in place in the event of a Hazmat incident that was developed between the fire department and emergency management.

Hazardous materials can pose a great danger to you and your family, and many of them you cannot even see in the air.

In the event of an emergency where Hazmat may have been released into the atmosphere, the fire department incident command may instruct you to shelter in place.

Sheltering in place is not the same as going to a shelter. In a shelter in place situation you need to select a small, interior room with few or no windows and take refuge there. The room should be at or above ground level.

Choose this type of room because some chemicals are actually heavier than air and may seep into the ground and into your basement.

The first indication there is a Hazmat situation would be the high-pitched siren going off. A CodeRed message would follow along with announcements through NOAA weather radios, cable TV and broadcast radio.

You and your family should choose your shelter in place room well before you would actually need to use it. Once the order has been given to shelter in place, be sure to close and lock all windows and exterior doors.

If you are told there is a danger of explosion with the incident, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. This will prevent glass from blowing all over your home and possibly injuring someone if there is an explosion.

Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems and close your fireplace dampers. This will keep any airborne gasses from sneaking into your home.

Grab your family disaster kit and your pets along with your battery-operated radio, additional food and water and head for your safe room. Once inside, use duct tape and plastic sheeting, heavier than food wrap, to seal all the cracks around the door and any vents into the room.

Sheltering in place is supposed to protect you and your family for a few hours. Experts say a tightly sealed 10’ x 10’ room will have enough oxygen to last about five hours for one person.

Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon said most Hazmat incidents here would be a shelter in place situation and may only effect certain neighborhoods.

If an incident should happen during school hours, the district has plans in place as well and Gordon encourages parents to talk with the school about what those plans are.

“The last thing we would need during a Hazmat situation is panicked parents trying to get their kids from school when there are dangerous, even life threatening things in the air,” Gordon said. “Know what the school’s plan is and do your best to try to stay out of the way in an emergency.”