U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Permafix of South Georgia - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial POLREP
Permafix of South Georgia
B42Q
Valdosta, GA
Latitude: 30.7978701 Longitude: -83.2786023
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To:
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J.R. Campbell, Director, Georgia EPD Emergency Response
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From:
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Chris Russell, FOSC
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Date:
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8/18/2013
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Reporting Period:
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08/14/2013 - 08/15/2-13
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B42Q |
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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: |
8/14/2013 |
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Start Date: |
8/14/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
EPA Emergency Response to a release of hazardous substances into the environment.
1.1.2 Site Description
Permafix of South Georgia: A temporary storage and disposal facility (TSDF) for hazardous substances located in Valdosta, Georgia.
1.2.1 Location
1812 Jimmy P. Rodgers, Circle, Valdosta (Lowndes County) Georgia.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Release of hazardous substances into the environment due to an explosion and fire at a TSDF which contained several hundred drums of hazardous substances, as well as above ground storage tanks of hazardous substances and roll-off boxes of wastes.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On August 14, 2013, OSC Russell was dispatched to the Permafix of South Georgia facility in Valdosta, Georgia. Upon arriving on site, OSC Russell observed the release and potential release of hazardous substances (listed hazardous wastes and characteristic hazardous wastes) into the environment due to an explosion and fire that occurred at this facility a few hours earlier.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On August 14, 2013, an explosion occurred at the Permafix of South Georgia facility in Valdosta, Georgia. The explosion occurred when an employee was off-loading a 55-gallon container of acetone type waste into a fuel blending pot. The explosion resulted in a two-alarm fire which engulfed half of the facility and lead to the evacuation of residents and businesses in a one mile radius. Three different fire departments responded, as well as the following Agencies: FBI, ATF, OSHA, and Georgia EPD. EPA Region 4 dispatched Florida Outpost OSC Russell to the scene to oversee removal operations. Upon arriving on site a Unified Command was established with the RP, Valdosta FD, ATF, Georgia EPD, and OSHA.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
The fire was contained during this operational period. Continual flare ups have occurred in some of the drums. Run-off from the firefighting efforts was collected starting the afternoon of August 14th. The facility adjacent to the Site built an underflow dam in the small tributary behind the Site. Vacuum trucks were utilized to remove the liquids from this area.
EPA with START support conducted water monitoring in the tributary, as well as in Mud Creek which is down gradient from the Site. No deceased fish or animals were noted in the assessments. Furthermore, the dissolved oxygen and Ph levels in the tributary were in normal ranges. The dissolved oxygen in Mud Creek was lower, however, it is unknown if this was related to the release of materials or due to normal summer conditions in the creek.
EPA has provided air monitoring support to Local, State, and Federal Agencies making entries into the facility to conduct fire/explosion investigations.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
A potentially responsible party has been identified.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Firefighting run-off |
Liquid |
100,000 gallons |
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X |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Once ATF, OSHA, and FD investigations are complete, Emergency Response Removal actions will begin.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Continue provide air monitoring support and then address compromised containers of unknown wastes.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue operating in a Unified Command posture and address the hazardous substances on Site.
2.2.2 Issues
High local and media interests. The City of Valdosta has provided a Public Information Officer to assist with medial relations.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Each responding Agency is providing for their own Logistical support.
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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
Mike Folgan, CIH, Hepaco is the identified Safety Officer
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Liaison and media relations are being handled by the City of Valdosta.
2.5.3 Information Officer
City of Valdosta has provided the PIO and they are working in conjunction with the RP's Communication Team.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA, Georgia DNR/EPD, ATF, OSHA, VFD, PRP
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA-1
START-2
ATF-7
OSHA-1
GaEPD-2
Valdosta FD-14
RP-5
Contractor (Hepaco)-18
Valdosta EMA-1
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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