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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
C5BS |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
5/24/2016 |
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Start Date: |
5/24/2016 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
5/27/2016 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
Illinois EPA |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site is a tire recycling operation owned/operated by two different entities. All American Recycling, Inc. operates a recycling operation at the site and GMI Recycling operates a tire material storage facility. The piles of shredded tires which were involved in the fire are located at the GMI Recycling facility. The facility is surrounded by a financially distressed, predominantly low-income community.
1.1.2.1 Location
GMI Recycling Services (scrap tire collection operation) is located at 1703 Cottage Grove Avenue, Ford Heights, Illinois 60411.
All American Recycling (tire shred storage and recycling operation) is located at 1705 Cottage Grove Avenue, Ford Heights, Illinois 60411.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
There are two primary threats from the incident. Contaminated run-off (containing oils from the burning tires) from firefighting operations threatens release to Deer Creek. Air emissions from the fire (smoke containing particulates and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons) threaten human health downwind of the site. Areas currently downwind of the site are primarily residential, with a middle school and several churches located within the area impacted by the smoke plume.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
A perimeter site walk was conducted upon arrival. A low-lying area leading to a culvert was receiving the majority of the contaminated run-off water from firefighting operations. Deer Creek runs east of the facility, though a low lying area, retention area, and culvert is currently restricting firefighting run-off from entering Deer Creek. A heavy smoke plume was visible for miles. The plume is impacting downwind receptors in a primarily residential area with several churches and a middle school.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The fire was believed to be under control by the evening of May 24. However, the tire shred piles flared up periodically throughout the night of May 24 and into the morning of May 25. EPA is supporting the response through air monitoring/sampling and water quality monitoring. In addition, EPA provided technical assistance and temperature monitoring on tire shred piles throughout the night of May 24 to assist in the identification and extinguishing of hot spots remaining in the piles.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
5/26/16 - 5/31/16:
Under the guidance of Illinois EPA, GMI Recycling continued to address hot spots on the shredded tire pile and work began to create smaller wind rows of tire shreds unaffected by the fire. The windrows were constructed with adequate distance between piles at serve as a fire break. U.S. EPA continued to conduct air monitoring around the perimeter of the Site and at Ford Heights Middle School utilizing AreaRAE monitors and DustTrak particulate monitors thru late afternoon on 5/28/16. Water quality monitoring continued thru 5/27/16 at the downstream and source locations for impacts; no adverse readings for Dissolved Oxygen or pH were detected. Samples of the fire suppression water were collected on 5/26/16 to be analyzed by certified laboratory for VOCs, SVOCs, PCBs, TPH,, and metals; results are expected by 5/31/16. GMI Recycling hired an environmental contractor to sent up portable tanks for storage of the fire suppression water and arrange for offsite disposal.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owners of both GMI Recycling Services and All American Recycling, which currently own & operate tire recycling collection & recycling services, respectively, at the Site, are assisting in response efforts.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Regional Metrics |
| This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap. |
Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored |
N/A |
| Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped |
NA |
| Gallons of oil/water recovered |
NA |
| Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks |
NA |
| Stand Alone Assessment |
Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up |
NA |
| Number of workers on site |
10 |
| Contaminant(s) of Concern |
Hydrocarbon Impacted Soil and Water |
| Oil Response Tracking |
| Estimated volume |
Initial amount released |
N/A |
| Final amount collected |
N/A |
| CANAPS Info |
FPN Ceiling Amount |
N/A |
| FPN Number |
N/A |
| Body of Water affected |
N/A |
| Administrative and Logistical Factors (Place X where applicable) |
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Precedent-Setting HQ Consultations (e.g., fracking, asbestos) |
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Community challenges or high involvement |
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Radiological |
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More than one PRP |
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Endangered Species Act / Essential Fish Habitat issues |
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Explosives |
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AOC |
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Historic preservation issues |
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Residential impacts |
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UAO |
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NPL site |
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Relocation |
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DOJ involved |
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Remote location |
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Drinking water impacted |
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Criminal Investigation Division involved |
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Extreme weather or abnormal field season |
X |
Environmental justice |
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Tribal consultation or coordination or other issues |
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Congressional involvement |
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High media interest |
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Statutory Exemption for $2 Million |
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Statutory Exemption for 1 Year |
X |
Active fire present |
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Hazmat Entry Conducted – Level A, B or C |
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Incident or Unified Command established |
X |
Actual air release (not threatened) |
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| Green Metrics |
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Metric |
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Amount |
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Units |
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Diesel Fuel Used |
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20 |
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gallons |
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Unleaded Fuel Used |
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20 |
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gallons |
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Alternative/E-85 Fuel Used |
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0 |
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gallons |
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Electricity from electric company |
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0 |
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kWh |
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Electric Company Name and Account # |
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NA |
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Electricity from sources other than the electric company |
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kWh |
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Solid waste reused |
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NA |
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enter |
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Solid waste recycled |
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NA |
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pounds |
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Water Used |
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gallons |
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| NA |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Illinois EPA will be the lead
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Ford Heights Fire Department (FHFD) will provide 24 hour surveillance of tire fire and address any hot spots/flare-ups as specified by Illinois EPA
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA has transitioned oversight of cleanup operations to Illinois EPA.
Illinois EPA has issued an Order to GMI Recycling addressing the tire removal, contaminated fire suppression water disposal, and future site investigation and remediation activities.
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC Brown
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
OSC Brown
2.5.3 Information Officer
OSC Brown
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
NA
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Ford Heights Fire Department
Illinois EPA
Cook County EMA
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Mutual Aid Box Alarm System 27
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA: 2
Illinois EPA: 1
START: 1
TOTAL: 4
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5. Definition of Terms
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CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
FHFD: Ford Height Fire Department
OSC: On-Scene Coordinator
PCBs: Polychlorinated Biphenyls
START: Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
SVOCs: Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds
TPH: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
https://www.epaosc.org/fordheightstirefire
6.2 Reporting Schedule
This is the final PolRep
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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