The September 11th attack
Increase in calls keeps hazmat units busy
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Since the Mainland terrorism attacks, heightened concerns about dangerous chemicals have kept the Honolulu Fire Department's two hazardous materials units busy.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
The department's "hazmat" teams have responded to 17 incidents from Sept. 11 to Oct. 11 compared with nine incidents for the same period last year, according to Capt. Richard Soo, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman. Yesterday alone, hazmat teams responded to six calls.
Firefighters with the Honolulu Fire Department's hazardous-materials units yesterday set up a decontamination tent outside the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel to wash down guests after fumes sent 35 people to the hospital. Police also closed part of Kalakaua Avenue as a precaution. However, the substance turned out to be pepper spray, so there was no need to wash down guests and others entering the Waikiki hotel.
"I think it's enhanced awareness from the public," Soo said. "People are recognizing different odors and they're contacting emergency responders. That's fine."
The 26 total incidents required a fire engine and battalion chief, and used chemical-detecting devices and protective suits, Soo said. The 26 incidents do not include normal traffic accident cleanups that hazmat units normally respond to, Soo said.
Yesterday, an apparent pepper spray prank inside the Sheraton Moana Surfrider hotel in Waikiki sent 35 people to the hospital and forced police to close lanes of Kalakaua Avenue as a precaution. On Wednesday, a toxic spill in Pawa'a sent 10 people to the hospital and forced the evacuation of Foodland Super Market and the Mormon tabernacle next to it. The spill was determined to be a petroleum-based product.
"I think public awareness has moved to new level," Soo said. "A case in point is the Foodland incident. I've never seen five drivers with trucks return to be decontaminated. The drivers heard the news and came back to the scene. I find that enhanced awareness. I think that's good."
The petroleum-based liquid that spilled out of a dumpster Wednesday contained a chemical commonly found in mothballs, a state health investigator said.
Terry Corpus, an on-scene coordinator for state Hazardous Evaluation & Emergency Response, said the chemical composition of the dark brown-colored substance recovered from a 5-gallon paint container found in the dumpster included naphthalene, which is flammable and could produce a poisonous gas. Corpus said someone improperly disposed of hazardous household waste in the dumpster.
"People need to be more prudent about dropping hazardous waste into the trash," Corpus said. "The city has a program for hazardous disposal." The number to call for information is 527-5091.
Soo said the increased responses by the hazmat units have not taxed the fire department. He said the department has an additional 150 trained hazmat workers if an incident overwhelms the 60 daily hazmat workers. The last time the department called for additional hazmat workers was the massive Thanksgiving Day 1999 sulfuric acid spill at Brewer Environmental Industries' Campbell Industrial Park facility.
Soo said the key to a successful hazmat operation is cooperation between law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, hospitals and other public safety agencies such as Civil Defense and the National Guard. In Wednesday's Foodland incident, the state Department of Health responded along with police, fire and EMS.
"We need to get as many agencies involved," Soo said. "It's a unified command."
Yesterday, the hazmat units responded to incidents at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider hotel in Waikiki and a chemical leak in Pearl City.
Three fire companies responded to the 4:30 a.m. alarm at the Waikiki hotel after guests reported a "strong chemical odor" and complained of watery eyes and throat irritation, Soo said.
The odor, confirmed as pepper spray by fire officials, drifted through the ninth floor's air vents, said Erica Neves, the hotel's director of public relations.
In total, 33 guests and two security guards were taken to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment.
Neves said police and security searched the ninth floor but found no suspects or witnesses to the prank. The "all clear" was given at about 6:30 a.m.
About two hours later, hazardous materials units responded to 98-151 Pali Momi Street in Pearl City for a methane leak. Police closed a portion of Pali Momi Street between Denny's Restaurant and American Savings Bank so sewer crews could fix the leak that was coming out of a manhole.
