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OSCs conducted an operational briefing at 0830 to outline tactics for the AST investigation and sampling. Fire, medical and law enforcement support was in place prior to initiating the entry. Law enforcement personnel attempted to contact occupants of adjacent homes, but reported that no one was home. Just prior to initiating entry, police officers closed traffic on Holland Avenue, Sixth Street and Perez Street as a precaution for passers-by.
The South Tank was opened first. Monitoring instruments (PID and multi-gas) showed no reaction. The tank was then visually examined through the access point and determined to be empty. The North Tank was opened next. Monitoring instruments (PID and multi-gas) showed no reaction. The tank was then visually examined through the access point and determined to contain approximately one inch of sludge.
Once confident that there was no risk of fire, explosion or pressure or vapor release, traffic was reopened. The roads were closed for aproximately 30 mimutes. The fire and medical units were released once the entry person was back on the ground, off air and examined by his Safety Officer.
The sludge in the North Tank was too shallow to be sampled by conventional means. The Team fabricated a "head" of clean absorbent gauze on a telescoping pole, and collected a sample. The recovered material appeared oily.
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