1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response and Time Critical Removal. 

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is located in a residential neighborhood of  University Place, Washington.  The property is comprised of a home, garage and storage shed where the home owner was storing chemicals for a friend who passed away in July 2015. 

1.1.2.1 Location
44th Street West, University Place, Pierce County, Washington. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The improper storage of various CERCLA-listed hazardous substances in the garage, shed, and outside at the residence.  The homeowner was storing the chemicals for a friend, who died in July 2015. The homeowner, where the chemicals were being stored, was not aware of the danger involved with the chemicals left behind by his friend.  Once the homeowner determined that the chemicals may pose a danger he contacted local law enforcement, who then contacted Federal law enforcement agencies and Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).

On January 19, 2016, Ecology requested assistance from the EPA in order to remove the hazardous chemicals from the residence.  Some of the chemicals reported to be at the residence, for example, included sodium metal and hydrofluoric acid, the latter of which is defined as extremely hazardous substances (EHS) under the Federal Environmental Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).  Sodium metal reacts with water causing emission of flammable gases which can cause burns to human tissue and ignite spontaneously.  Hydrofluoric Acid is corrosive action on metals and can result in formation of hydrogen gas in containers and piping to create explosion hazard.  It is very hazardous if coming into contact with skin or inhaled.  Other chemicals secured at the site include: elements or compounds of aluminum, ammonium chlorate and chloride, barium hydroxide, cadmium nitrate, chromium sulfate, hexamethylenetetramine, lithium, magnesium, potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium permanganate, sodium chlorate, sodium cyanide, mercuric nitrate, cesium nitrate, strontium, and zinc chloride.

On January 20, 2016, OSCs Jeffrey Fowlow and Brooks Stanfield, four Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START), and 5 Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) personnel arrived at 8218 44th Street West to assess and remove the hazardous chemicals.  Other agencies on site were Ecology, Pierce County Sherriff, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2.1.1 Narrative

EPA with START and ERRS contractors met ATF, FBI, Ecology, and Pierce County Sheriff on site on January 20, 2016 at 1100.  All personnel performed a site walk under the written consent of the home owner to assess and remove all hazardous substances. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
START and ERRS contractors segregated, and secured compatible materials for transportation and disposal by ERRS.  EPA and ERRS were given permission by the homeowner to store the drums for transportation and disposal in the garage of the home overnight on January 20 until waste profiles could be generated for shipment. 

EPA and ERRS returned to the site on January 21 to pick the drums up for transportation and disposal. 

A total of 242 containers of hazardous material were inventoried and secured for disposal.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the chemicals stored at the homeowner's residence died in July 2015.  He was also identified as the responsible party at a separate residence in nearby Tacoma, WA and was the responsible party involved in the East 11th Street Chemical Fire emergency response EPA conducted in 2012

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

No additional activities are anticipated at this time.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

2.5.1 Safety Officer

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

2.5.3 Information Officer

Suzanne Skadowski

3.1 Unified Command
Washington Department of Ecology - Ron Holcomb
Pierce County Sheriff - Brian Anderson

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
ATF
FBI

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

East 11th Street Chemical Fire Emergency Response (2012): www.epaosc.org/east11thstreet

6.2 Reporting Schedule