On Monday, July 25, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, Fire and Life Services, Environmental Heath and Safety and Syracuse University Ambulance teamed up with the Syracuse Fire Department and American Medical Response for a HAZMAT drill at the Steam Station.
The mock scenario involved two individuals puncturing a 55-gallon drum of sulfuric acid while operating a forklift. A third individual witnessed the incident and immediately called the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety for assistance.
DPS Officers arrived at the Steam Plant and quickly secured a perimeter. Syracuse University Fire and Life Safety along with Environmental Health accessed the situation and provided more accurate information to the Syracuse Fire Department who was en route.
Once the Syracuse Fire Department arrived on the scene, due to the nature of the spill, as a precautionary matter, a 150 feet perimeter was set.
Dressed in HAZMAT suits, the Syracuse Fire Department rescued the two victims and put each individual through the decontamination process. Once the decontamination was complete, the victims were transferred to the care of the Syracuse University Ambulance and American Medical response for treatment.
Once the drill was complete, Chief Maldonado held a mock press conference with students from Newhouse as part of an assignment for their class.