Back Safety officials say there are only a few simple rules concerning what to do during a chemical leak. When such a situation happened in southern Jefferson County last summer, a few people did just the opposite. The situation was discussed at a public safety seminar, "What to Do in a Chemical Emergency" held March 15 at Danby-Rush Tower Middle School. The event was sponsored by the Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee and run by the Amerian Red Cross. Omar Ruiz, American Red Cross service center supervisor, said that when a chlorine leak occurred at DPC Enterprises, 1785 Highway 61, in August 2002, some people actually went toward where a greeish-yellow substance was being emitted. "If the alarm gose off, do not go to DPC," Ruiz advised the sparse turnout of residents. "That was something people did during the chemical leak." Ruiz showed a videotape explaining that people should use the "shelter-in-place" strategy when warned of a chemical leak. That strategy involves the following five steps when an alarm warning of a chemical emergency sounds. - Move people and pets indoors. - Close and lock all doors and windows. - Shut off any fan or air-moving device, such as forced air blowers. - Go into an above-ground room (not a basement) with the fewest windows and doors in the building. - Stay in the room and tune a radio to the emergency broadcast system to hear when the danger has passed. At such times, the telephone should be used for emergencies only, officials said. Those who are outside and away from a shelter should go to their vehicles and monitor the radio. Before a chemical emergency, Ruiz advised putting together a box of items to be used in such a situation. The box should contain a portable battery-powered radio and tape and plastic sheets to be used to seal around windows and doors. Ruiz said the seminar was planned for the benefit of those who live near DPC. "The event is to prepare families that were affected last August, to get acclimated in case there is another spill, which we're hoping won't happen," he said. "The most important thing is to be prepared, because it can happen anywhere, anytime." "If an alarm goes off at DPC (residents) need to find shelter-in-place." A DPC representative said that a chemical monitoring system has been installed at the facility. It will be tested once a month at noon on the first Wednesday, at which time the alarm will go off for three minutes and stop. In the event of a chemical emergency, there will be a three-minute alarm, followed by more three-minute alarm soundings. Willis Adams, a resident of the Blue Fountain Mobile Home Court near DPC, said he was glad he attended the seminar. "I think I'm better prepared now," Adams said. "At least they've told us what to do." This story may be available for an Adobe Acrobat PDF download. Click on the link below to visit the site download center. If a PDF is available, the file will automatically open in your browser.

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