Syracuse, N.Y. – Firefighters mitigated three hazardous materials incidents last week.
On October 31st at 3:32 p.m., Syracuse firefighters were called to 109 S. Warren St., the State Tower Building, for a carbon monoxide (C.O.) detector activation. Crews arrived at the 20-story, mixed-use building and investigated the alarm. Using haz-mat metering devices that measure the concentration of different gases, firefighters confirmed elevated levels of C.O. in the structure. They assisted occupants in evacuating the structure. A team of 15 firefighters worked to systematically ventilate the large structure, removing the air contaminated with C.O. and bringing in fresh air. The C.O. was suspected to have come from the exhaust of a generator used by a contractor in the parking garage that day. The building representative contacted the contractor to make provisions to prevent this from occurring again. Crews were on scene for about 3½ hours to complete ventilation of the building. There were no reports of illness or injury to occupants.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that is the byproduct of incomplete combustion, such as from gas engines. In general, it is recommended homeowners install C.O. detectors on each level of the house, near natural gas appliances, and as a reminder: never run generators indoors.
On November 3rd, the Solvay Fire Department was on scene of a suspected refrigerant leak at China Towne Furniture. Solvay’s incident commander requested that Syracuse Fire’s Regional Haz-Mat Response Team deploy to assist them at the incident. Syracuse Fire Haz-Mat technicians arrived and, using their specialty air meters, confirmed that there was a refrigerant leak. They investigated the origin of the leak and worked with Solvay Fire to successfully ventilate the structure. There were no injuries and the scene was turned over to a property representative.
On November 5th at 5:29 a.m., Syracuse firefighters were called to a fire alarm activation at 801 University Ave, the Sheraton SU hotel. They arrived on scene to the 8-story hotel and determined that the alarm system was activated due to a refrigerant leak from a walk-in cooler’s copper tubing. The SFD Haz-Mat team responded and successfully sealed the compromised tubing, preventing further refrigerant release. They used specialty air meters to detect what areas needed to be ventilated.
After bringing in fresh air and ensuring no more hazards, the scene was turned over to maintenance for repairs to the refrigerant system. No occupants were at risk during this operation.
Syracuse firefighters, and their Regional Haz-Mat Response Team, are highly trained and equipped to handle many types of haz-mat incidents, from small C.O. leaks to major rail-car accidents. The Syracuse Fire Department said, ” We thank our partners at the 911 Center and the respective property representatives for their assistance at these alarms.”
