Commissioners discuss chemical spill
—Photo by DAC COLLINS The Paradise Valley residence, located at 265 Uplander Rd, was taped off during the recent chemical spill on Dec. 6.
Boundary County Commissioners met with Paradise Valley Fire Commission Chairman Orrin Everhart and Boundary County Emergency Management Incident Commander Bob Graham on Tuesday regarding a recent chemical spill situation that caused some concerns with area firefighters.
The meeting was initiated by Everhart because of the incident that took place at 265 Uplander Rd. in the Paradise Valley area.
On Dec. 5, a resident at this address contacted law enforcement to report a class two hazardous spill, involving the chemical formaldehyde.
The incident began with Idaho State police, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Paradise Valley Fire District, Boundary Ambulance and Boundary County Emergency Management arriving on scene at about 8:15 p.m., and ended late Tuesday afternoon with the homeowners re-entering the residence.
Upon arrival, authorities confirmed that approximately one gallon of formaldehyde had been spilled in the basement.
Homeowners were evacuated by Paradise Valley Fire Department incident commander Josh Wortley.
The concerns expressed by firefighters during a Dec. 13, Paradise Valley Fire Commission meeting were regarding how the incident was handled by the county’s emergency management, namely the decision to send two firefighters into the basement of the contaminated residence without the proper gear, which would be a Level B, vapor-resistant suit. This exposed the two firefighters who entered the residence to the chemical formaldehyde. Three other firefighters on the outside were also exposed to the vapors emitting from inside the house, according to Paradise Valley firefighters.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Everhart explained to the commissioners that local firefighters are not trained or certified Hazmat technicians, nor do they have the proper equipment to come in contact with certain chemicals such as formaldehyde.
Everhart said he wanted to discuss the situation with Graham and the commissioners so that future incidents could be handled appropriately, for the safety of the firefighters and the community.
Graham explained that the original plan he formulated on the night of Dec. 5 was to have a Hazmat crew come up from Spokane the following morning, but since they had to respond to a bigger spill in the Tri Cities that next morning, they were unable to assist. According to Graham, Hazmat also advised him that it would cost the homeowner a “couple thousand dollars” in order for them to travel up to Boundary County to clean up the spill, and that the spill was too small to warrant such efforts and costs.
Graham then reached out to the Department of Environmental Quality, explaining the situation and asked if the cleanup could be handled locally, since the spill was relatively small. The DEQ reportedly said that two firemen, with the correct breathing apparatus, could pour kitty litter on the spill, bag it and then dispose of it properly.
However, when Graham requested assistance, Paradise Valley Fire District advised him that they were not certified technicians and, per DEQ regulations, would not clean up the spill as they did not have the proper equipment.
“At no time did I order anyone to go into the house,” Graham said. “It may be my prerogative, but if they say no, I’ll accept their decision.”
Graham said on the second day of the incident, since the Hazmat crew in Spokane couldn’t respond, and area firefighters would not assist, he contacted Avista Utilities and Sandpoint. After taking readings with a specialized meter, the Avista employee determined that the liquid formaldehyde, along with the fumes, had dissipated.
Everhart said that there was obviously some miscommunication during the incident. He just wanted to make sure that local firefighters were not told to do something that they are not trained to do, and that they weren’t put in a position where they would have to conduct tasks without the proper equipment.
Graham assured Everhart and the commissioners that he did not order anyone to go into the residence.
Homeowner Howard Seaman spoke on Graham’s behalf during the meeting, saying, “Bob made me promise that I would not go in.” Seaman then explained how Graham, with the help of an Avista employee, ensured that the premises were safe before allowing him, or anyone else, to go back inside.
Boundary County Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton said he felt that no one should have made entry into the residence until Hazmat arrived.
Boundary Commissioner Dan Dinning advised that a separate meeting take place between Graham, the Paradise Valley Fire Commission and area firefighters in order to avoid miscommunication in the future.
Everhart and Graham agreed and made arrangements to meet for further discussion.