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BioLab Response

BioLab Response. Conyers, GA USEPA R4. BioLab. BioLab Co. repackages chloride, bromide, soda ash and algaecide products. A 250,000 sq. ft warehouse containing 12.5 million pounds of chemicals caught on fire.

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BioLab Response

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  1. BioLab Response Conyers, GA USEPA R4

  2. BioLab • BioLab Co. repackages chloride, bromide, soda ash and algaecide products. • A 250,000 sq. ft warehouse containing 12.5 million pounds of chemicals caught on fire. • The chemicals were classified as oxidizers. This reaction created HCL, HCN and HBR. • Graniteville Derailment had to do with pure Chlorine Gas.

  3. Impacts • Several hundred residences and businesses were evacuated, including the Conyers Central Business District. • Interstate 20 was closed for approximately 9 hours. • Main CSX rail line was closed for 36 hours. • Rockdale General Hospital was in the impacted area.

  4. Response Summary • Rockdale Co. Sheriff/EMA Director was the IC. • State and local law enforcement supported the evacuation operation. • Local and Mutual Aid Fire Companies and BioLab contractor extinguished the fire. • EPA and BioLab contractor provided air monitoring support. • ATSDR supported local Health director.

  5. Lesson Learned-ICS • Don’t be shy of ordering resources. You can always send them back. • Make sure you have an Operation Section Chief. • Bring out a Public Information Officer. • Even for short duration events (a day or two), ICS concepts are still important.

  6. Lesson Learned – Unified Command • Position Command Post out of harms way and control access to CP. • Ensure the appropriate agencies are represented in the UC (and present in the CP). • As quickly as possible, gather the agencies and ask for their objectives. • Establish periodic UC meetings during the incident.

  7. Lessons Learned – Data Management • Important to have a data management system in place to collect and disseminate large amounts of data. • Make sure that every sampling team has a GPS unit and it is set to decimal, degrees. • Give NARAC air monitoring data in electronic format. • Bring mapping capabilities to the field. • There was a delay in getting warehouse chemical inventory.

  8. Lesson Learned – EOC Activation • In large and complex incidents like this one, a sophisticated emergency management agency needs to take the reins to ensure an effective and coordinated response. • It would have been helpful if the State EOC had been activated.

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