EVENT: ICE STORM DATES: JANUARY 7-JANUARY 19, 1998 SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS On January 7, 1998, a severe ice storm struck the area accumulating 1.5 inches of ice. This ice caused extensive power outages across the area, and led to a presidential disaster declaration. Areas in the Town of Poland experienced power outages that lasted up to 2 weeks. Utility crews from other states were brought in to assist in the repairs. Total damages from the storm as of January 26, 1998 were upwards of $83,000 and climbing. For more information on the storm, select ICE STORM 98 INFORMATION on the Poland EMA Home page. ==================================================================================== EVENT: STORM DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 1997 SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS On November 1, 1997, the town experienced the effects of a strong "Southeaster" that brought heavy rains and strong winds to the area. The Town of Poland suffered minor damages as a result of this storm. The majority of the damages were caused by falling tree limbs and trees. Power outages lasted up to 8 hours. Poland Dispatch's radio communications were cut off for a short time as the backup batteries would not power their radios. Within 15 minutes, the dispatch office generator was activated, and radio communications were restored. The Poland Fire Department had to place a generator at the repeater site to power the transmitter at that location. Total precipitation from this event was 2.72" of rain, and peak gust recorded was 26 mph, prior to the power outages. Higher gusts did occur, but were not measured. Nearby in Gray, the NWS Office recorded wind gusts to 69 mph. ======================================================================= INCIDENT: CHEMICAL RELEASE POLAND SPRING BOTTLING INCIDENT DATE: AUGUST 02, 1997 SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS 13:13 - DISPATCH RECEIVES A CALL REPORTING A CHEMICAL RELEASE INSIDE THE BUILDING AT THE POLAND SPRING BOTTLING FACILITY. INITIAL REPORT INDICATES THAT THE BUILDING iS BEING EVACUATED. 13:28 - FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVES ON SCENE. CHIEF NASH ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE INCIDENT. MET WITH MICHAEL CLEAVES, AN EMPLOYEE OF POLAND SPRING AND A POLAND FIREFIGHTER WHO STATED THAT SOME TYPE OF CHLORINE HAD BEEN RELEASED IN THE BUILDING AND EVERYONE HAD BEEN EVACUATED. 13:34 - RECEIVED A COPY OF THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR TRICHLOR-OCIDE XD160. 13:45 -(2)·FIREFIGHTERS TRAINED TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN LEVEL ENTER THE BUILDING TO ASSESS THE LEAK. A 55 GALLON CORRUGATED DRUM IS LOCATED ALONG THE WEST WALL AND WAS EMITTING VAPORS AT THIS TIME. A SECOND DRUM WAS LOCATED NEXT TO IT ON THE SKID. 13:57 - CONTACT MADE WITH JOANNE PONIN OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN E.M.A.. 14:15 - BOTH DRUMS OF TRICHLOR-O-CIDE ARE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING. ALL EMPLOYEES ARE EVACUATED TO THE NORT END OF THE PARKING AREA AND THE DRUMS ARE TAKEN TO THE SOUTH END OF THE LOT. APPROXIMATE ISOLATION DISTANCE FROM THE OPERATIONS AREA IS 700' AND 1500' TO THE EMPLOYEE EVACUATION AREA. 14:15 - INITIAL TELEPHONE CONTACT WITH CLEAN HARBORS (RAY) TO REMOVE THE HAZARD. THEY WILL GET A TEAM TOGETHER AND RESPOND. (NOTE: CLEAN HARBORS DID NOT RESPOND, AND AFTER 2 1/2 HOURS POLAND SPRING ELECTED TO CONTACT ANOTHER COMPANY). 14:27 - MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTIFIED. 14:30 - FIREFIGHTERS BEGIN MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF THE BUILDING. 14:44 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NOTIFIED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS. 15:14 - TRAFFIC AND BYSTANDERS GETTING BY BARRICADES THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP. REQUESTED POLICE TO COMPLETELY CLOSE OFF THE MAIN ENTRANCE. ADDITIONAL MEASURES WERE ALSO TAKEN TO SECURE THE AREA. 15:42 - STEVE BERZENSKI FROM THE D.E.P. ARRIVES ON SCENE. 16:00 - HAROLD PRINCE FROM THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ARRIVES ON SCENE. 16:25 - DUE TO THE THREAT OF RAIN, THE DRUMS ARE COVERED WITH PLASTIC BAGS AND A SALVAGE TARP. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARED THAT BOTH DRUMS WERE EMITTING VAPORS. 17:05 - A CHLORINE METER ARRIVES ON SCENE FROM THE LEWISTON WATER DEPARTMENT. AIR MONITORING WITHIN THE BUILDING INDICATES O% CHLORINE GAS. THE BUILDING IS DECLARED SAFE FOR ENTRY AND POLAND SPRING PERSONNEL BEGIN AIR MONITORING WITH THEIR DRAIGER TUBES. MECHANICAL VENTILATION CONTINUES AT THIS TIME. 18:30 - SEACOAST OCEAN SERVICES ARRIVES ON SCENE AND IS BRIEFED ON THE INCIDENT. THEY HAD A CREW CHECK THE AREA WHERE THE CHEMICALS WERE LOCATED AND DETERMINED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE DRUMS WAS STILL -' REACTING. 20:46 - HEALTH AND SAFETY BRIEFING OF ALL PERSONNEL ON SCENE PRIOR TO THE RECOVERY OPERATION BEGINNING. 21:15 - THE FIRST TECHNICIAN CREW FROM SEACOAST OCEAN SERVICES ENTERS THE "HOT ZONE" AND BEGINS NEUTRALIZING THE CHEMICAL. FIREFIGHTERS ARE PLACED IN POSITION TO MAN HOSE LINES IN THE EVENT OF AN IGNITION. 01:11 - CLEAN UP IS COMPLETED AND THE INCIDENT IS TERMINATED. FIRE DEPARTMENT BEGINS PICKING UP EQUIPMENT AND RELEASING CREWS. 02:03 - LAST FIRE DEPARTMENT CREW CLEARS THE SCENE. ESTIMATED COST OF INCIDENT: $2,000