ITC Tank Farm Fire Emergency Response
In response to a dangerous fire EPA ordered CSS’ senior field operations specialists to a facility near Houston where massive tanks stored highly flammable liquids to help manage emergency response activities.
Coordinating Emergency Response Operations Following a Massive Industrial Fire
Technical Guidance and Oversight Support at the ITC Tank Farm Fire Response
In March 2019, a dangerous fire broke out and began to spread at a facility near Houston where massive tanks stored highly-flammable liquids. As firefighters fought to bring the blaze under control, EPA ordered CSS’ senior field operations specialists to the scene to help manage emergency response activities. We mobilized on site within 13 hours and began supporting the Unified Command. Our field experts deployed and supervised EPA’s response staff and equipment during the 11-hour overnight shift. We served as a technical liaison between the operator of the tank farm and the lead EPA On-Scene Coordinator and state representatives, communicating up-to-date information on site conditions and firefighting efforts. We also managed a unified three-member air monitoring team that monitored for volatile organic compounds at the scene and for benzene within a 5-mile radius of the ITC Tank Farm location.
“Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed working with the three of you over the past 17 days…You have an amazing amount of knowledge and experience to ensure the safety of Texans… and even more amazing is how much care y’all have shown over this event, even when I know you had to be exhausted from working overnights…” Steve Mason, EPA Region 6
Additional Projects
Cleaning Up the National Anthrax Attack
Challenge CSS working alongside of the U. S. Centers for Disease Control characterized the extent of building contamination and subsequently determined that the entire 100,000 foot building and contents would need to be decontaminated. A novel method needed to be developed and implemented for cleaning the massive number of mail pouches, packages and artifacts destined…
Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI)
CSS compiled and visualized data showing the distribution of habitats and marine organisms, to establish a baseline for assessing and monitoring potential environmental impacts from renewable energy projects.
Supporting EPA’s Emergency Response Efforts following Hurricane Harvey
CSS staff served as lead technical advisors on a multi-agency environmental response team after Hurricane Harvey.
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