Haz Mat Spill in Goldstream Park closes TCH

A major Hazardous Materials event on the Trans Canada Hwy through Goldstream Park shut down the only major route between Victoria and points up Island when a fully loaded B-train fuel tanker truck overturned and crashed into the rock face of the Malahat. The crash caused the majority of the contents of one trailer to spill. This dumped approximately 30,000 liters of gasoline onto the road and surrounding ditches. From here it travelled by culvert, under the highway and emptied into the Goldstream River where it worked its way down to Finlayson Arm. The original call came into Langford around 6:00 pm on Saturday. Sooke Fire Rescue Service offered containment boom from our large cache located on Whiffin Spit. This was quickly accepted and along with our Haz Mat trailer, an initial crew of four firefighters responded to the scene. With only one haz mat technician from Langford on scene, two of arriving Sooke Firefighters trained as Haz Mat Techs were put into action to do an overall scene assessment. So Chief Sorensen and Assistant Chief Barney went in with full protective gear and a camera to bring back information for the IC. We quickly determined that there were three tanks in each of the two trailers. Starting from the rear, Compartment 1 had the top dome missing and most of the contents were gone. Compartment 2 had broken the welds and the contents had spilled out, compartment 3 had a hole big enough to climb into from its impact into the rocks and was mostly empty. The next trailer was in better condition. Only the centre tank, containing diesel was leaking slightly. The other two compartments appeared to be intact. Once out of the hot zone, we reported back to IC and worked on a variety of plans. Decontamination zone was set up, booms were placed in the river and Colwood FD set up their big Foam monitor to apply class B foam to the entire scene. From there, it was a hurry up and wait as a variety of experts, provincial ministry personnel, fd peresonnel, truckers, crane operators, tow truck drivers, RCMP, commercial vehicle inspectors and many more all descended on the scene. It wasn't until 5 am the next morning that the initial crew made it home. (Besides the Chief and Assistant Chief, Captain Burket and FF Sutherland were on scene. Firefighter Norris-Jones joined us later as he was in the area. The next morning a relief crew was sent to Langford to assist with the decontamination, foaming of the area and providing protection as the RIT team during the unloading and righting process. Thanks to all those Sooke firefighters that volunteered to attend. Finally at 4:30 pm the second crew arrived home. The Malahat Drive was closed a total of 22 hours and many lessons were learned from this event that will be shared with the officers and senior staff of the DOS as well as other emergency response agencies. It was a miracle nobody was killed or seriously injured in this and from what the experts say, it was very unusual for this type of call not to result in a catastrophic fire.

More Chimney Fires

Just when we thought spring was in the air, chimney fire season reappeared with the cold snap. A total of three were attended to last week. One suffered serious damage to the chimney. This was in an older house with a brick chimney through the centre of the home. The child's bedroom that the chimney passed through was completely filled with smoke although the two small children got out safely. Large cracks were observed around the entire chimney with approximately the top 6 feet coming loose. Crews were on scene for three hours trying to get the bricks to cool down as they were at 200 F for a long period. It appears that the fire got between the clay liner and the brick face and was burning between the two parts. A hole had to be made to allow water to enter the void space and cool things down. An entire wheel barrow of soot and creosote was removed from the cleanout. All in all a tough but well fought battle. Things could easily have been much worse. Crews did an excellent job in getting this difficult fire under control. The other two fires were a little less dramatic. One occured in a brand new home with a metal chimney. While no significant damage was caused, the homeowner was quite distressed. The likely cause appears to be the use of wet wood. The other call occured in an older house but with a new chimney. Heavy creosote was found in this metal chimney, but the fire was quickly extinguished with no further damage being caused.

Further Update on Nakima

She is up and around a little bit. Still has help from a home support worker as Nakima is still using a walker and is in a cast. Not broken but seriously injured. Still severe bruising and internal pain. Also she is waiting for the swelling to go down as her jaw is out of alignment. She may face dental surgery or require her jaw to be broken and reset in the proper position. I have offered the support of all of the FD Members if she needs anything as we all hope for a speedy recovery.

News of the Week

First report is that Nakima is doing OK. Still in hospital with lots of bruises but nothing broken. She reports that she will be off duty for a while and is hoping to get home soon. Able to get up and walk about a little so that is good news. Firefighter performance tests are about to get started. All platoons will get to participate. (Nakima may have to put hers off for a while) Budget talks are nearing the end. So far all seems to be going well. Council will present the entire budget at the District Open House on April 14th for further public input. We have managed to get it down to a less than 3% tax increase so that is definitely good news. If the budget is approved as is, we will soon be able to go to tender for the new truck to replace old 204. We are anticipating a January 2012 delivery date +/- a few days. Some serious discussion on how we respond in the rescue truck (207) A great deal of concern over riding in the back has been expressed. I must agree that this is not the best place to be in if an accident were to occur. Will be up for discussion at the next officer meeting. Prestige Hotel is moving full speed ahead as they prepare for their first conference to be held in just under two weeks. Alarm and sprinkler testing are being conducted tomorrow so hopefully all goes well and the place can open on time. The tanker shuttle evolution went well according to A Chief Barney. With assistance from Shirley, East Sooke, Metchosin and Otter Point it looks like we can do this successfully in almost all areas. Once proven to an engineer and we get certification, this will provide huge dividends for anyone outside of hydrant protection area as they can claim the same rating as hydrant protection for their homes. On a side note, we have ordered a ten inch dump valve for the back of Tender 1 to facilitate a quicker dump and turn around time.

MVI Challenges Rescue Crews

Firefighters from Sooke and Shirley along with local ambulance paramedics faced a difficult and complicated rescue as they dealt with a pick up truck that had gone off the highway on the Muir Creek Hill in Shirley. The truck had impacted the concrete no-posts and then went over the top and down the hill side approximately 30 meters (100 ft) rolling four times as it careened down the emankment. It finally came to a stop in a swamp, with the passenger side partially buried in 2 feet of mud. Not only were rescuers having to contend with a stabilization nightmare, all of the tools had to be packed down the hill and then through the swamp to get to the truck. Using the winch from the Shirley rescue truck and several boxes of cribbing and shoring, the vehicle was stabilized as best could be done in the circumstances. The roof was partially removed in a half flap extrication and the driver finally freed after about 75 minutes of very strenuos effort. (the mud was so thick that once you stepped in, you could not pick up your feet to move to another spot) Several of the firefighters and paramedics were covered in the muck from head to toe. Once freed, the passenger was placed on a basket stretcher and carried up through neighbouring properties to an awaiting ambulance which transported the victim a short distance down the road to an air flight helicopter for the ride to VGH. The driver had freed herself and scrambled up the hill before the arrival of responders. She was transported to hospital by ambulance and was reported to have two broken fingers. The passenger it turns out suffered no serious injuries. A dog located in a crate in the back of the truck was thrown clear as the truck rolled, but other than a coating of mud, suffered no injuries either. Crews returned to their stations were they spent the next hour or two removing mud from everything. Thankfully the Sooke Seniors Group were still in the building and provided lunch to all the members. Crews should be commended on the excellent job they did in a difficult environment. Even with all the different agencies on scene, everyone worked cooperatively and efficiently to get the job done. It was truly a joint effort that provided such a successful outcome.

Whats New This Week

Good news on the waterfront - ha ha - both Prestige Hotel and Mariners Site have their hydrants activated now. In the event of an emergency, this will certainly make things easier. Budget discussions began this week with all departments presenting their 5-year operating and capital budgets to council for their review. The next session(s) will be April 4 and 5 at Committee of the Whole.
The new pickup truck has arrived and is almost ready for service. It just needs stripes and decals (being applied this weekend) and then the cover for the pick up box will take place on Monday. When this is complete, it will go into service as Unit 209 (Batallion 1). Unit 208 will then become Squad 1 - This truck is now almost complete and looks pretty good for a homemade job. All that is left is the rear bumper which is presently being manufactured. This vehicle conversion being done in house and by utilizing a used body came in almost 50% under the budget that was projected. Thanks again to Chris for all his hard work in getting this unit ready. With 208 as Squad 1, Unit 210 (the old ambulance) will again become Squad 2 and be moved back to Station 2. I would expect all of this in place by early next week.
Provided the budget is approved, specs will be drawn up and sent out for bids on the replacement of Unit 204. It is anticipated that this truck will be delivered sometime in early 2012.

I attended the LG EPAC meeting yesterday at CRD Headquarters (lots of acronyms I know) but the interesting thing was a power point presentation by the Saanich Emergency Coordinator on the effects of the two earthquakes that hit Christchurch NZ. Some very interesting stuff here and I will get a copy of the presentation for everyone to view. Somethings that will really make you think about how prepared we think we are. With this in mind and the terrible situation in Japan, I will be planning an EOC exercise based on a large Tsunami off the Coast of Oregon on Saturday, April 30th. It is hoped that many of the DOS staff and volunteers will attend. Check out the email I sent out earlier today for more information.

On a final note, it appears that Evolutions may be on again. (Sponsored by the Vancouver Island Firefighters Association) this is a fun weekend of games and activies for all ages. It appears Ladysmith has offered to host and tentatively have put the date down as July 15 - 17. More info to follow.

Announcements

Congratulations to the following firefighters:

John Hester and Roy Mactavish have been promoted to Acting Lieutenants in their respective platoons. These are 3 month terms that can be renewed. Based on recommendations from their officers, these firefighters were judged to be good candidates for these Acting Positions. Well done guys.

The first member selected to the Safe Firefighter of the Month program was announced today. Firefighter Glenn Harrison was chosen by his platoon members. His insistance on ensuring that all firefighters riding in his apparatus wear their seat belts is a positive step in ensuring that everyone arrives safely at calls, training and back home to the station. Glenn was presented with a certificate, a stainless steel FD thermos and will have his photo posted on the January section of the calendar. Please take the time to review other safe practices and forward names of firefighters that go above and beyond in making sure things are done safely to the OH&S committee for their review.

Again, congratulations to the three of you. I have great respect for your dedication and performance. Keep up the good work.