Coastal California Area Committees January 2013 – March 2013 RRT9 Briefing — March 18 th 2013

S/V S ERENADE Aground/Abandoned 14 MAR: 36-foot sailing vessel aground. Owner left vessel via dingy. He estimates < 100 gallons diesel onboard. He does not intend to salvage his vessel. Sector San Fran opens CERCLA fund for $5,000 to remove pollution potential (fuel & batteries). Vsl towed to Cerritos Harbor. No pollution.

Increase in HazMat Cases (3) HazMat cases in Long Beach since January 18th. – Anhydrous Ammonia, Phosphide, Potassium Chloride There is concern about HAZWOPER FRO/FRA training. Sector LA has issues with the quality of the training, the instructing, and the tracking necessary to ensure responders are in compliance.

Phosphine Gas Leak Fire in a 55-gallon drum. LAPD responded to a "car fire;“ officer inhaled poisonous gas; sent to hospital in fair condition. USCG Container Inspectors on scene until assistance no longer needed. LA County HAZMAT took responsibility for atmospheric monitoring. Aluminum Phosphide is used to neutralize cleaning agents used to fumigate containers containing cotton based products. In this case, there wasn’t enough A.P. to neutralize the cleaning solution and this caused the fire. Once the agent reaches its flash point it’s called Phosphine gas.

Anhydrous Ammonia Leak 2,000 gal 10% Anhydrous Ammonia entered storm drain. Pump station prevented spill to LA River. LBPD declared a crime scene after discovering a hole and a claw hammer. 3/4 mile of storm drain flushed and drained. Contractor took 75 gallons of Ammonia from a 4,000-gallon tank. Estimated 1,200 gallons spilled into the storm drain. EPA assumed the incident next day.