Upon arrival at 2000 on 5/11/18 a fire crew was working to secure the disposal site digging, mopping up, cold trailing, breathing in smoke. This level of exposure persisted two more operational periods when on 5/14 we identified the need for heavy equipment and some miscellaneous metal and barrels that might indicate hazardous materials. The crew passed this up to DIVS and proposed moving the bulk of the crew out with one to two individuals working heat along the perimeter including digging, cold-trailing, and breathing smoke to ensure containment and eventually establishing at the direction of the IC and DIVS; a sprinkler system, which involved a squad of 4-7 individuals. On a daily basis during this period Gannett Glacier communicated concerns with the plan for the pit with proposals for the use of equipment and identifying specific type and history of hazmat. This continued through to the 16th. On the 17th we were informed of the potential for more Hazmat then originally thought and we stopped placing people at the disposal site. We pulled all hose and left sprinklers in place to reduce further exposure. We requested and provided input regarding research into the extent of hazmat and a real plan to deal with what we saw as a significant control issue almost daily from 5/12-5/16. It was not until 5/17 that we received confirmation that there was significant amounts of hazardous materials and that an investigation was being initiated. |