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PIFD applies HAZMAT training to Beaufort fire

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 20033257598
Story by Cpl. Alisha R. Fitzgerald

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(March 21, 2003) -- The Parris Island Fire Department responded as the Hazardous Material Team to a chemical fire at Athena Marble in Beaufort March 10.

The plant caught fire around 3:30 a.m., requiring the assistance of several area fire departments.

Athena Marble uses a number of flammable chemicals to make its cultured marble products. After a few hours of trying to extinguish the fire, the firefighters began having reactions to the chemicals, turning the fire into a hazardous material scene.

Chief Kelvin Canaday, Parris Island Fire Department, acts as the county HAZMAT equipment coordinator. The HAZMAT truck resides at the Depot station and the firefighters are responsible for keeping it properly maintained.

The HAZMAT truck and the PIFD firefighters arrived on the scene at 10 a.m., and set up a decontamination site. Captain Dwight Charles, PIFD onsite decontamination officer, was put in charge of the decontamination of 40 local firefighters.

The Depot Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Dental Center and Naval Hospital Beaufort were called upon to help supply medical gowns for the firefighters who had to be stripped of all their clothing.

Lieutenant Douglas Peake Jr., Firefighter Chad Beals, Capt. Michael Flurry and Firefighter Charles Golson donned Level B HAZMAT suits while they performed DECON of the firefighters and their equipment. There are four levels of suits for HAZMAT conditions, Level A being the most extreme as the individual is fully encapsulated. Level B has a full-face respirator and protects against all liquid agents. Level C is the same as B, except without the respirator. Level D is regular, everyday plain clothes anyone would wear.

Officials are still speculating as to what caused the fire, but said it was one of the worst they had ever experienced. Fourteen area firefighters were treated for minor burns and skin irritations.

The PIFD trains for hazardous conditions such as these once a month. Their last HAZMAT response drill was Feb. 18. Though actual conditions such as these don't happen often, with the impending war and the increasing threat of biological warfare, it is imperative that the firefighters be proficient at eradicating harmful substances.

"We don't know what we're going to face," said Canaday. "We have to be prepared for any kind of situation that may arise. We're required to do so many hours a year as it is. Now, we may concentrate a little more on anything that may relate to a terrorist attack so that we'll be well-rehearsed in those areas."

Along with their regularly scheduled HAZMAT training, the PIFD also receives special training from outside agencies on things such as explosive ordnance disposal and weapons of mass destruction. Marines from EOD, MCAS Beaufort, were at the station March 12. During their classes, Depot firefighters got the opportunity to try on the EOD bomb suit, called MED ENG.

"We just wanted the firefighters to get a feel for the suit and test their mobility in it," said Staff Sgt. Michael Gabriel, EOD technician.

The firefighters also got to see a demonstration of the EOD bomb robot, Andros, designed for entering threatening buildings or approaching suspicious packages.

The PIFD also conducted training with the Depot Provost Marshal's Office March 18. The session was done in an effort to pass along valuable HAZMAT knowledge onto the PMO Marines.