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Former Remington Arms Plant Emergency Response

All POL/SITREP's for this site Former Remington Arms Plant Emergency Response
Bridgeport, CT - EPA Region I
POLREP #1
Initial and Final 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Former Remington Arms Plant Emergency Response - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial and Final
Former Remington Arms Plant Emergency Response
01GN
Bridgeport, CT
Latitude: 41.1879236 Longitude: -73.1740308

To:
From: Dan Wainberg, OSC,
Ted Bazenas, OSC
Date: 9/13/2010
Reporting Period: 8/28/10 thru 9/8/10

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 01GN    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category:
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 8/28/2010    Start Date: 8/28/2010
Demob Date: 9/3/2010    Completion Date: 9/8/2010
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description
The former Remington Arms plant is series of brick and steel structures occupying approximately 28 acres in Bridgeport, CT.  There are approximately 1.2 million square feet of enclosed space.  The property has been unoccupied for decades and is in serious disrepair. Vandalism and arson incidents occur regularly. 

The surrounding properties are mixed low income residential and light industry/commercial. 

The property is located in an designated Enviromental Justice area.   

1.1.2.1 Location
The 28 acre property is located at 889 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut (additional addresses are associated with this property) and is bounded to the north by Artic Street, the east by Seaview Avenue, the south by Barnum Avenue and the west by Helen Street.  The fire occurred in building #s 342, 343, and 344, which are part of a large complex of connected mill buildings.  The structures that were subject to the fire are located on western side of the property, adjacent to Helen Street.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
On August 28, 2010, at approximately 1230, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) notified EPA's Emergency Planning and Response Branch of an ongoing fire at the former Remington Arms Site in Bridgeport Connecticut.  CTDEP requested EPA air monitoring and sampling support particularly because of concerns of asbestos containing materials (ACM) being present in the buildings.

OSC Wainberg arrived on scene at approximately 1400 and integrated into Unifired Command with the Bridgeport Fire Chief and the CT DEP.  EPA's Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START) contractor arrived on scene at approximately 1800 to provide support with monitoring for particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and air sampling for asbestos. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
No assessment has been performed.  However, CTDEP has requested that a Site Assessment to evaluate whether there are hazardous materials present that warrant EPA conducting a removal action. 

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
From August 28, 2010 to September 8, 2010 the following response actions occurred:

August 28, 2010:
- EPA's START contractor deployed DataRam particulate monitors, AreaRae VOC monitors, and asbestos sample collection pumps at locations established around the perimeter of the site. Monitoring and sampling occurred on a 24 hour basis;
- Bridgeport Fire Department (BFD) continued fire suppression activities;
- CTDEP collected roofing material suspected to be ACM.  Laboratory analysis indicated the presence of chrysotile fibers up to 45%;
- Because the BFD was unable to completely extinguish the fire and mitigate the continuing threat of release of asbestos and other unknown hazardous materials, CTDEP mobilized their contractor, Connecticut Tank, to demolish portions of the building to facilitate the fire being completely extinguished;
- CTDEP deployed sorbent boom at the Yellow River channel outfall where fire water run-off was coming out.  Minor sheening was observed;
- At the request of OSC Wainberg, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) dispatched two personnel to the scene.  Because the incident location, as well as, the Yellow River Channel is in USCG jurisdiction, OSC Wainberg requested USCG inspect the outfall area and boom to determine if conditions require additional actions or if the deployed boom is satisfactory.  The USCG indicated that the deployed boom was appropriate; and
- EPA and CTDEP advised the BFD that air quality in the residential areas adjacent to the fire and safety during demolition were a concern (particulate levels were moderately elevated during periods of flare up).  The BFD canvassed the area and advised residents to either evacuate (shelter provided if needed) or shelter in place with windows closed while the fire was ongoing.   Several residents closest to the fire voluntarily evacuated.

August 29, 2010:
- EPA's START contractor continued DataRam particulate monitoring, AreaRae VOC monitoring, and asbestos sample collection at locations established around the perimeter of the site. Monitoring and sampling occurred on a 24 hour basis;
- Bridgeport Fire Department (BFD) continued fire suppression activities;
- BFD and the City of Bridgeport continued to advise nearby residents of air quality concerns and recommend voluntary evacuation or shelter in place.  Additionally the city provided an informational flyer about air quality concerns and demolition and firefighting activities;
- CTDEP's contractor continued demolition activities;
- CTDEP personnel and OSC Bazenas inspected nearby areas to determine if roofing material had been transported off site during the height of the fire.  A small amount of roofing material was observed within 1/4 mile of the fire and CTDEP's contractor collected and bagged this debris; and
- CTDEP and EPA's START contractor inspected the Barnum Elementary School roof and HVAC intake for the presence of debris from the fire.  No debris from the fire was observed.

August 30, 2010:
- EPA's START contractor continued DataRam particulate monitoring, AreaRae VOC monitoring, and asbestos sample collection at locations established around the perimeter of the site. Beginning on August 30th, demolition activities occurred only during daylight hours and smoke levels diminished substantially. Due to overnight security concerns and the diminished smoke levels, air monitoring and sampling occurred during daylight hours only;
- Bridgeport Fire Department (BFD) continued fire suppression activities;
- CTDEP's contractor continued demolition activities; and
- OSC Bazenas attended two meetings at the City of Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center with Unified Command and city officials to discuss response activities.

August 31 to September 3, 2010:
- EPA's START contractor continued DataRam particulate monitoring and asbestos sample collection at locations established around the perimeter of the site.  The VOC monitoring results were consistently at background levels; as a result, AreaRae VOC monitoring was discontinued;
- Bridgeport Fire Department (BFD) continued fire suppression activities;
- CTDEP's contractor continued demolition activities;
- At the end of the day on September 3rd all substantial demolition and fire suppression activities were complete; and
EPA's air monitoring program was discontinued and EPA demobilized from the site.

September 6 to September 8, 2010:
- CTDEP's contractor razed the remaining portion of the building impacted by the fire, stabilized demolition debris, and demobilized from the site. 

* No asbestos fibers were detected in any of the air samples collected for asbestos analysis during the response (see map in the documents section of website for a map showing sample locations and results)

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
There have been many fires at this site, up to 21 over the past 15 years, requiring a response from BFD.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The cause of the fire is being investigated.  EPA is currently working with the property owner to gain access and perform and removal assessment.


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Pending access and if no other parties are able to address the environmental concerns at the property, EPA will conduct a removal assessment to determine if a removal action is necessary.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
- EPA is working with the property owner to gain access for a removal assessment; and
- During the week of September 6, the City of Bridgeport condemned many of the buildings on the property and may begin razing the condemned buildings as soon as the week of September 6, 2010.

2.2.2 Issues
- The property is owned by an LLC that is in bankruptcy.  EPA is working with the bankruptcy attorney to gain access to the property for a removal assessment; and
- The City of Bridgeport may be able to address many of the buildings of concern on site, which may impact the need for EPA's further involvement in the site.  EPA will coordinate with Bridgeport on their activities.

  2.3 Logistics Section
    N/A

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer
Region 01 ATSDR has provided the following action levels for this incident:

Particulates:The action level for dust (and applicable for particulates) is 0.15 mg/m3. Use this value for all exposure durations. (Basis: PM 10).

VOCs:  The action level for VOCs monitoring (assuming benzene is the likely toxic constituent) is 1 ppm (32 mg/m3). (Basis: TEEL-0.)

Asbestos:  Although the presence of asbestos is unknown at this time, please consider the following action level for asbestos: 0.01 fibers/cc. Use that value for all exposure durations. (Basis: asbestos containing materials in schools: final rule 52 FR 41826, Oct 30, 1987)

2.6 Liaison Officer
OSC Bazenas and OSC Wainberg worked with the city officials including: The Mayor's office, the city emergency planner, and the health department. 


2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
OSC Wainberg conducted several television interviews.  OSC Bazenas participated in a telephone interview with the Connecticut Post newspaper.

The City of Bridgeport issued a press release on 8/30/10.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
Bridgeport Fire was in control of the incident until the fire was completely extinguished.  The CTDEP and EPA joined BFD in unified command.


3.2 Cooperating Agencies
- The USCG has participated in evaluating the discharge to the Yellow River.
- Municipal offices of the City of Bridgeport have contributed technical and logistical support.
- The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) Asbestos Program has contributed to several technical discussions.

4. Personnel On Site
  Personnel from the following organizations have participated in the response:

- US EPA Emergency Response
- EPA's START Contractor
- CTDEP Emergency Response
- CTDEP clean-up contractor
- CTDPH Asbestos Program
- City of Bridgeport: Fire Dept, Police Dept, Mayors Office, and Municipal Staff
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report


6.2 Reporting Schedule
No further POLREPs will be issued unless a removal action is initiated.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.