This morning at 1:58am, Yantic Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 222 Otrobando Ave (US Foods) for a fire alarm activation with reports of an ammonia leak.
At approximately 3:23 am, Yantic, along with Taftville & East Great Plains Volunteer Fire Departments, requested assistance from the Connecticut Eastern Region Response Integrated Team (CERRIT) for a HAZMAT response to mitigate the ammonia leak.
At roughly 3:37am, the Connecticut Eastern Region Response Integrated Team (CERRIT) requested the City of Norwich Fire Department to respond with the Submarine Base Fire Department to complete the Hazmat team.
The City of Norwich Fire Department Hazmat technicians, along with the Sub Base Fire Department and an on-site US Foods Hazmat Materials Specialist, suited up in Level A protection (the highest level of firefighter protection) and made entry into the building. The team located and shut off the leaking ammonia from its source and ventilated the building. This Hazmat team found ammonia levels inside the building to be 6,700 parts per million.
The City of Norwich Fire Department has certified Hazardous Materials Technicians on duty 24/7/365. We regularly train on our procedures for Hazmat responses and routinely check and calibrate our meters. Today, Firefighters Marc Landy and Chris Paige of Platoon 1-Squad A conducted a refresher for all shift members on the uses of the meters we carry. Here’s a couple shots of us training today.
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