News & Updates

10/18/2023 - FIRST RESPONDERS TRAINING 10-18-2023

Today is the DAY Bethany Town Officials and 1st Responders are training to respond to a HAZMAT Spill
HAZMAT is an abbreviation for “hazardous materials”—substances in quantities or forms that may pose a reasonable risk to health, property, or the environment. HAZMATs include such substances as toxic chemicals, fuels, nuclear waste products, and biological, chemical, and radiological agents. HAZMATs may be released as liquids, solids, gases, or a combination or form of all three, including dust, fumes, gas, vapor, mist, and smoke.
HAZMAT spills have caused health problems, injuries, and even death in people and animals, and have damaged buildings, homes, property, and the environment. Given such dire consequences, it is reasonable to conclude that one may not encounter HAZMATs on a daily basis. The truth, however, is that many products containing hazardous chemicals are routinely used and stored in homes, and are transported every day on the nation's highways, railroads, waterways, and pipelines.
What to do if you see or are notified of a Hazardous Materials Incident
• Call 911 immediately if you see or smell a hazardous materials incident.
o Monitor media for emergency information.
o Stay away from the incident scene to minimize the risk of contamination.
o Follow instructions from public safety officials.
• If asked or ordered to evacuate:
o Do so immediately.
o If specific evacuation routes are given, follow these routes because alternate routes may not be safe.
o Take only essential items and bring your pets if safely possible.
• If asked or ordered to shelter in place:
o Bring pets inside.
o Close and lock exterior doors and windows. Close or turn off vents, fireplace dampers, exhaust fans, heating or cooling systems, and as many interior doors as possible.
o Go into your pre-selected shelter room with your emergency kit. This room should be above ground and have the fewest openings to the outside.
o Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape.
o Close drapes, curtains, and shades in the room if you are warned of a possible explosion. Stay away from windows.
o Remain in the room until authorities advise you to leave.
• If you are caught outside
o Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind.
o Try to go at least half a mile away from the area.
o If possible, cover your mouth with a cloth and try not to inhale gases, fumes, and smoke.
• If you are in a vehicle
o Stop and seek shelter in a safe building.
o If you must remain in your car, keep windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner and heater.
o Remain in the car if you cannot drive away call 911 follow the directions of the dispatcher.
• Safety Training and Why Do You Need It,
o Because it saves lives and keeps people safe.
o It’s the same reason teaching children to look both ways before crossing the street is important.
o Or why learning how to drive before you get behind the wheel is important.