On March 15, 2009, SAFER Systems, the global technology leader in chemical emergency management solutions, participated in an annual emergency drill conducted by the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA). Performed as a means of testing communication and operational readiness and efficiencies of the transportation corridor in an emergency, this is the eighth drill SAFER Systems has been involved in with ACTA.
The emergency drill simulated an apparent fire in a railroad car that could potentially release 20,000 pounds of Chlorine, a toxic inhalation hazard. Drill participants included multiple first response teams from Los Angeles City and County fire, police departments from the surrounding areas, railroad representatives from Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), members of ACTA and personnel from SAFER Systems. Using the SAFER STAR® product, SAFER Systems personnel were able to provide real-time chemical emergency management data to police, hazmat teams and the Incident Commander.
The SAFER Systems contribution to the two-hour exercise allowed the Incident Commander to make critical, more-informed decisions about safe locations for command posts, routes that would keep equipment and personnel from entering into hazardous environments and about how to best respond overall to the incident—whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate select areas. SAFER Systems monitored and analyzed the simulated release situation to provide estimates of the potential impact of the release using a variety of meteorlogical, sensor, chemical, GIS, topographic data and more.
"Drills are critical not only for testing chemical emergency management plans, but for allowing forward-thinking agencies like the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority to work with our system in their unique environment," says Chris Cowles, global marketing manager at SAFER Systems. "SAFER STAR® has unique capabilities that protect property, communities and lives in chemical release situations, and we're proud to work with ACTA in ensuring the future safety of the surrounding community."
Both SAFER STAR® and SAFER Homeland Responder ™ are in use in the U.S. for national, regional and local emergency planning, management and response use.
Contacts:
SAFER Systems
Jill Bassett, 805-383-9711 x172
Marketing
Communications
jbassett@safersystem.com
or
Mustang
Marketing
Angie Sparks, 805-498-8718 x104
angie@mustangmktg.com
