Speakers:  Marilyn Bardet, Benicia Good Neighbor Steering Committee; Greg Karras, Citizens for a Better Environment; Andres Soto, CBE;  Matt Krough, Stand Earth; Charles Davidson, resident of Hercules; Janet Pyegeorge, RCA Non prrofit; Maureen Brennan; Isabella Zizi, Stand; Vincent Wells, Local 1230; Jackie Garcia, contra Costa Interfaith Climate Action Network; Nancy Reiser, Crockett Rodeo United To Defend the Environment; Dan Torres, Local 483.

Randy Sawyer, Director of Hazardous Materials Program, and Lewis Broschard, Contra Costa County Fire Protection Chief (ConFire) addressed the Board. Mr. Sawyer provided a slide presentation (attached).

On October 15, 2019, NuStar, a fuels storage facility in Crockett, reported a fire and explosion to the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department via the 911 system, involving petrochemical storage tanks and said that they were evacuating.  

Engine 78 of Crockett-Carquinez fire responded. The engine crew reported that there were tanks on fire and a vegetation fire as well. They reported that on-site fire suppression equipment was not functioning. Additional engine companies joined the effort.  

En route to the scene, the Fire Department requested additional resources from the Petrochemical Mutual Aid Organization (PMAO) and East Bay Incident Management team (EB-IMT) to assist ConFire. All groups responded swiftly.   The vegetation fire was extinguished, no structures were lost, and no loss of life.  

Chief Broschard emphasized the vital role of PMAO in providing the resources, especially additional foam that cooled the fuel tanks. In excess of 30 thousand gallons was used in the incident. He was also pleased with the very swift response from EB-IMT, getting experts on site, including personnel from Contra Costa County and Alameda County.  Chief Broschard noted the assistance from the Fire Chiefs of Phillips 66, Marathon, and Shell.

The Community Warning System was activated, nearby residents evacuated, air monitoring initiated, and nearby roads closed to traffic. The call came into the 911 system at 1:48 p.m., the all clear activated at 9:30 p.m. No lives were lost, and no structures outside the original tanks involved in the incident. ConFire is not aware of any chemical products leaving the site.

Three Public Information Officers worked to keep the public informed via many media outlets.

The Board inquired about the incident training of personnel in these small facilities, the equipment standards on the sites, whether the staff were able and/or trained to activate the community warning system, and whether they were included in facilities guided by the Industrial Safety Ordinance. 

There will be a very detailed After Action Report following the fire investigation. Many agencies will take part in the investigation, including but not limited to Cal OSHA, ConFire, Bay Area Air Quality Management, Fish and Wildlife, the Hazardous Materials Division, and the ATF. A search warrant has been issued to protect the property scene and access for officials as the investigation goes forward. It will take time before the tanks are safe to approach. 

Supervisor Gioia and Supervisor Glover will meet with the Industrial Safety Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee to look into whether the ordinance should be extended to the 16 storage facilities in the county, discussion of land use permits and regulations, and actions taken before resumption of business.