ICP, 8:30-10:00 PM EST, 12/3/99

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Hello. Is everybody ready to play?

John Soderberg: hello Isabel

Lou Angeli fire: My assignment, boss?

John Soderberg: ????

EVAL Isabel McCurdy: hi john !!

John Soderberg: as ready as I will ever be

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Tony G yes

fire chief piotrowsk: let the games begin

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Have you all read the scenario and plans?

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: yes

EVAL Isabel McCurdy: yup !!

Lou Angeli fire: yes

fire chief piotrowsk: yes

John Soderberg: yes, I believe

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Outstanding, you folks are great!

Lou Angeli fire: <blush

COMM Daryl Spiewak: When you need to communicate with someone 
outside the ICP let me know what you want and who to send it to.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: I will communicate with the COMMs in the other 
rooms.  Their response will be posted to this room for all to see.

ExControl AmySebring: Ok, Piotrowski is the IC, and Lou Angeli is 
Fire Chief.

Lou Angeli fire: Thanks for the promotion

ExControl AmySebring: Just checking everyone is in right place.  
Will start in a minute.

Jim Acosta: Hi, I'm the senior cop on scene. I'm from Sacramento, 
CA- entrepreneur, former cop and firefighter/EMT

COMM Daryl Spiewak: I will send the first message when Amy gives the 
green light.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT -- An open excavation is observed exposing 
a gas service line to the building.  
http://www.vfre.com/Presentation26/pipe.jpg

COMM Daryl Spiewak: It is 7:05 AM and the EOC has just been notified 
of the incident.  IC, you are on.  What do want to do?

Jim Acosta: comm-contact the gas company to shut off gas supply

fire chief piotrowsk: notify gas co and utilities, activate hi-rise 
plan

COMM Daryl Spiewak: The Mayor, the Fire Chief and the PIO all want a 
status report ASAP.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Request sent to the EOC for the gas company.

fire chief piotrowsk: 8 story bldg flames  floors 1 & 4 hazmat resp 
need to find source of gas main

Lou Angeli fire: Requesting a first alarm assignment...special call 
hazmat

Jim Acosta: comm: to Police Chief at EOC-request County Police and 
Sheriff mutual aid for perimeter and traffic control

fire chief piotrowsk: bldg. being evacuated ems set up command have 
gas co report with hazmat command

COMM Daryl Spiewak: PIO wants to confirm bomb explosion at building.

John Soderberg: Comm, will need at least 3 medic units and 1 Rescue 
truck for now

John Soderberg: Any reported injuries as of yet.,  any entrapment

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Mutual aid request sent.

Jim Acosta: to Lou: I'd like your people to take over interior 
rescue and allow my cops to assist in evacuation

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Haz Mat Command At Staging - Hazmat Chief 
reporting to IC For Briefing

Lou Angeli fire: Companies report entrapment on 3rd floor

fire chief piotrowsk: at this point gas explosion witnesses confirm 
odor-natural gas possibly ruptured

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Request for med units and rescue truck sent.

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat need to find source and size of main 
confer with gas co

Jim Acosta: to IC: your desire for law enforcement?

Lou Angeli fire: Jim, have your members meet rescue company on main 
floor

Jim Acosta: to lou-copy

fire chief piotrowsk: yes have them secure the area  have elec. co 
shut power to bldg.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Confirming with Gas Company will assist them 
with metering in an attempt to locate source of gas. Entry team will 
be in full turnout and SCBA

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Gas explosion data sent to PIO and EOC.

John Soderberg: Two medic units to front of structure

John Soderberg: Triage area in front of structure,

Lou Angeli fire: progress report: three inch and 3/4 handlines in 
service interior

Jim Acosta: comm: to police chief at EOC: we are establishing an 
interior perimeter around building, recommend exterior perimeter 4 
blocks each direction

fire chief piotrowsk: cp set up 200 feet on center Ave. sec 1

John Soderberg: Chief Pio, will we need a forward triage area in the 
structure??

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Reporters going live with helicopter shots of 
scene.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Question for IC do we have an  assigned safety 
officer for this incident

Lou Angeli fire: To IC: Chief we could use two additional truck 
companies

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EOC sending 2 engine companies and 2 trucks to 
scene with 3 EMS units.

John Soderberg: Comm, do we know  of numbers of injuries or 
casualties

fire chief piotrowsk: stay well clear off bldg. size of gas main not 
confirmed, feeding fire at this time possible another explosion

Jim Acosta: comm: request air ambulances be placed on standby-
looking for suitable LZ

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Good Call John

Lou Angeli fire: To IC: I'd like to have a RIT team available

Jim Acosta: IC: copy need to move interior perimeter outward re: 
explosion risk

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Police Chief info and request sent.

John Soderberg: based on location of incident and proximity to 
numerous hospitals, no air ambulance will be required

fire chief piotrowsk: have 4th and 5th alarm co standby

John Soderberg: Comm, do we know of any reported injuries and there 
locations

Lou Angeli fire: Priority: Have firefighter down on floor #2

COMM Daryl Spiewak: I don't have any data on that in my notes.  
Maybe ask the Medical people?

fire chief piotrowsk: fire have u sent a rit team in

Lou Angeli fire: rit team is moving him to main lobby

fire chief piotrowsk: is it life threatening

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Air ambulance request sent.

Lou Angeli fire: Chief, negative at this time

Jim Acosta: to IC: attempting to locate residential staff to get 
patient/resident list

fire chief piotrowsk: have 4th alarm co report to fire

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Channel 5 news wants Fire Chief to confirm GAS 
explosion.

fire chief piotrowsk: have pio answer as politically correct as 
possible

John Soderberg: Comm, can you tell how many EMS units on scene

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT -- The gas company rep has arrived and gas 
cannot be shut off at the service line.  He will request that the 
main be shut down, but does not know how long it will take. He will 
inform the EOC and his office. One fatality has been recovered.  
Approx.

Lou Angeli fire: To Comm: Special Request for Air Cascade Unit

Jim Acosta: to LE Chief at EOC: request homicide investigators to 
ICP

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief at EOC: request homicide investigators 
to ICP

John Soderberg: Comm , have EOC notify Public Trans. and request at 
least two buses be sent to scene

fire chief piotrowsk: to hazmat imperative to shut down main, coord 
with gas co

COMM Daryl Spiewak: All three requests sent.

Lou Angeli fire: To IC: Progress Report - Bulk of the interior fire 
has been knocked down

John Soderberg: Comm, will need 3 more medic units to scene and 
stage one block away

fire chief piotrowsk: to ems local hosp. been notified, red cross 
etc.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief at ICP: Advise to have Explosive 
Ordinance team on standby only-do not send to scene

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: TO IC our first in team will continue 
monitoring the area for explosive levels, Do you want me to put 
another team or two out to start checking nearby buildings in lieu 
of projection from gas Co.

fire chief piotrowsk: hold on that no evidence of bombing

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Reports indicate approximately 60 injured.

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat yes

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Air Cascade Unit en route to ICP now.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Received

Lou Angeli fire: Affirmative on the Cascade

Jim Acosta: to IC: just covering the bases...request stands

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Shelters are being identified and readied.  EOC 
is looking for the busses.

Lou Angeli fire: Progress Report: Injured firefighter removed, RIT 
team available

fire chief piotrowsk: have arson standby also with bomb squad

John Soderberg: has area hospitals been notified and disaster plans 
activated??

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Request for arson & EOD sent to EOC.

John Soderberg: Will need an additional MD to the scene

Lou Angeli fire: To IC: Ladder Companies have begun Secondary Search

COMM Daryl Spiewak: What types of MD?

John Soderberg: Emergency Physicians!!!

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat has gas been shut off

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Injured have been found in and around the 
building.  They report smelling leaking gas.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief at EOC: recommend calling in swing 
shift early for extra personnel

Lou Angeli fire: To IC Chief: Secondary search positive on the 3rd 
floor

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: To Com Has Gas CO been successful in shutting 
down gas leak?

COMM Daryl Spiewak: No.

John Soderberg: Main triage area set up in sector 1,

fire chief piotrowsk: get direct line to gas co feel large main 
ruptured they should know how to pinpoint and reroute problem

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Here is event #2 again.  EVENT -- The gas 
company rep has arrived and gas cannot be shut off at the service 
line.  He will request that the main be shut down, but does not know 
how long it will take. He will inform the EOC and his office. One 
fatality has been recovered.  Approx.

John Soderberg: Forward triage areas on floors

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EOC reports mutual aid may be needed for EMS per 
the city plan.

John Soderberg: Coroner office should be notified

John Soderberg: Temp. morgue may be necessary,

fire chief piotrowsk: buses needed 4 temp refuge

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: IC form Haz Mat Gas Co has not yet contained 
leak Continuing to monitor situation will advise when leak 
contained. Where are the locations evacuees are smelling gas, we can 
monitor there.

John Soderberg: Buses have been requested Chief

Lou Angeli fire: Interior: I'm relieving first alarm engine 
companies, where's rehab area?

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat any word on dilution of gas in air

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Gas is being reported by injured in and around 
the building.

John Soderberg: Will need mass casualty unit to scene

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Based on weather conditions I think it's going 
to hang around even though it's lighter than air

fire chief piotrowsk: police need to increase hot zone area by 6 
blocks

Jim Acosta: to Chief: copy

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EOC wants to know why you need a temporary 
morgue if no fatalities have been reported to them?

Lou Angeli fire: To Chief Piotrowsk: Chief I'll need a high angle 
rescue team to remove two of the victims

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Based on report from COMM will re assign teams 
to monitor those areas also storm and sanitary sewers as well as 
other utility undergrounds

fire chief piotrowsk: specialized units r there

John Soderberg: One has been reported, others may be expected

COMM Daryl Spiewak: PIO desperately needs info regarding evacuations 
before reporters go wild with rumors to the public.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief @ EOC: moving interior perimeter out 6 
blocks: urgently need add'l personnel

fire chief piotrowsk: fire chief has bldg. engineers been notified

COMM Daryl Spiewak: LE request sent to EOC.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Gas levels out side are detectable highest 
readings <10% lel Am more concerned about buildup in confined spaces

Lou Angeli fire: affirmative on the engineers chief

Lou Angeli fire: chief

fire chief piotrowsk: evacuation at this time only precautionary

Jim Acosta: to IC: do we need to request the Mayor to order 
evacuations? Voluntary only at this time.

fire chief piotrowsk: fire chief brief status of bldg. fire

Lou Angeli fire: Fire Status - under control - however secondary 
search continues

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat status of gas main

Lou Angeli fire: Fire Status (cont) - significant structural damage 
to the fire building

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: COMM Status of Gas main

fire chief piotrowsk: no request to mayor at this time

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT 3 -- The EOC has requested the electric 
company to shut off the power to the area to reduce the danger from 
the damaged equipment. Traffic signals will be affected 
http://www.vfre.com/Presentation26/map.jpg

Jim Acosta: to IC: copy no evac order request

fire chief piotrowsk: double check with utilities-may be able to 
reroute elec with minor effect to area

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: COMM What is the Condition of the Transformer, 
Is it Leaking, Contact Power  Co see if they know if it contains PCB 
Please.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief: request add'l traffic control, non-
sworn are fine

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Power Company request sent.

Lou Angeli fire: Interior Report: Engine companies are addressing 
spot fires at this time - overhaul has begun

John Soderberg: Number of people still trapped inside of structure??

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Mass care reports that evacuees should be bussed 
to Humber & Bedford.

Jim Acosta: to IC: inner perimeter now 6 blocks out; evacuation 
incomplete, have requested add'l personnel

fire chief piotrowsk: keep in mind cold-request additional alarms 
for rehab

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: IC from Haz mat - No Info received yet from Gas 
Co on status of  main shut down. Will continue to pursue issue and 
monitor area. Conditions still look good all things considered

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Transformer has recently been replaced. PCBs are 
not a danger.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Any confirmation on cause of explosion?

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Hazm Recieved Thank you COMM

COMM Daryl Spiewak: PIO still needs info on evacuations for the 
media.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: COMM any info on status of shut down of gas 
main?

Jim Acosta: to IC: recommend we release 6-block evacuation info

Lou Angeli fire: Request from Interior: Request additional companies 
for cold-request rehab

fire chief piotrowsk: no confirmation at this time of cause still 
investigating

fire chief piotrowsk: release info to media

COMM Daryl Spiewak: What info exactly.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief: IC recommends releasing 6-block 
evacuation area info to press-I concur

fire chief piotrowsk: 5th alarm co to fire, sally wagon full

John Soderberg: Comm, have EOC check status of emergency dept. of 
area hospitals,   Availability to accept number of patients??

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT 4 -- The gas main has been turned off.  
Power is out and an emergency crew is replacing the damaged 
electrical equipment.  The building is clear of victims except those 
in the elevator.

John Soderberg: are they alive??

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Medical request sent to EOC and media release 
sent.

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat give readings when avail

Jim Acosta: to IC: establishing in-out log at building 
entrance...access now restricted to emergency personnel

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Unknown about the victims in the elevator.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: IC from Haz Mat Gas CO successful in shutting 
down main. Continuing to monitor, levels dropping significantly gas 
still can be smelled though Another big Stink this makes #4 I think

Lou Angeli fire: Interior report: Rescue companies continue working 
on elevator

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief: building secure, investigators may 
respond to scene

Jim Acosta: to IC: OK to shrink perimeter now?

fire chief piotrowsk: yes, watch bldg. collapse zone

Jim Acosta: to IC: copy. 1 block perimeter until Fire/EMS clears.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT 4 being sent again. -- The gas main has 
been turned off.  Power is out and an emergency crew is replacing 
the damaged electrical equipment.  The building is clear of victims 
except those in the elevator.

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief at EOC: OK to release County Police 
and Sheriff. Can handle with units at scene

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Release sent to EOC.

fire chief piotrowsk: ETA on elec. equip to be fixed

fire chief piotrowsk: can elec. be restored to area with the 
exception of a few blocks

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EOC wants total number of evacuees, injuries and 
deaths. Do you have that data?

fire chief piotrowsk: fire status of elev. rescue

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Maybe EMS has the data on injuries, etc.

John Soderberg: Do we have an actually occupancy number for the 
building

fire chief piotrowsk: comm data to be forwarded, ic aide is 
compiling will notify when finished

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: IC form hazmat Am Requesting notify  local 
(County Health agency been notified They have regulatory oversight 
of assisted living and nursing homes also would want to visit and 
monitor shelters.

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT 5 -- There is an unverified report of 
looting in the blacked out area.    Law enforcement at the IC 
reports no looting is occurring.  Three firefighters have been 
injured.

fire chief piotrowsk: received that hazmat

John Soderberg: Are there still uninjured evacuated residents in 
temp.housing buses

Jim Acosta: comm: to LE Chief at EOC: request helo overflight to 
assess possible looting activity

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: COMM from Haz Mat Request you notify 
local(county health Agency of situation and advise of location of 
shelters. They have regulatory oversight of assisted living and 
nursing homes and would also want to visit shelter from housing, 
sanitation and food service safety standpoint.

fire chief piotrowsk: comm at this time 5ffinj 1 death 60 residents 
inj 150 people evacuated

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Helo request sent.

fire chief piotrowsk: to police-limit pers to looting too cold not 
to many people on streets

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Injury report sent to EOC.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: IC from hazmat all gas readings are non 
detectable LEL.

fire chief piotrowsk: rec

Jim Acosta: to IC: copy, probably just another bunch of Steelers 
fans

COMM Daryl Spiewak: What should I tell the EOC?

fire chief piotrowsk: at this time cause of ruptured gas main cold 
weather being further inv-to pio

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Time is now 0900 per the scenario.

fire chief piotrowsk: sit-under control-start reducing forces

John Soderberg: Only minor injuries remain in Triage,  all critical 
injuries transported

John Soderberg: Buses utilized to transport minor injuries

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Public Health wants to know if you are talking 
about natural as only?

fire chief piotrowsk: yes

COMM Daryl Spiewak: EVENT 6 -- Power has been restored but the gas 
company workman state that it will take another 2 hours to isolate 
the service line and restore gas service.

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: EMS From Haz Mat - putting my real life Health 
Department hat on - Do any of the evacuees need to go to care 
facilities or could they be sheltered in a normal shelter setting. 
If so What facilities are available to take them in since I don't 
think there going to be going home soon.

fire chief piotrowsk: hazmat red cross has taking care of them all

John Soderberg: Red cross

John Soderberg: handling

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Status of folks in elevator?

fire chief piotrowsk: all chief can start reducing forces to 
minimal-standby mode

COMM Daryl Spiewak: Is the fatality citizen or public safety person?

fire chief piotrowsk: folks in elev. injured reported earlier

Hazmat Chf Gaglierd: Comm from Haz  Mat If your asking about natural 
Gas The readings are for natural Gas. We are also going to start 
looking at CO levels in some of the buildings with all the Equi0ment 
running

fire chief piotrowsk: fatality citizen of residence name being 
withheld next of kin

COMM Daryl Spiewak: What is status of fatality?  where is body?

John Soderberg: County coroner

COMM Daryl Spiewak: ALL CLEAR.  ALL CLEAR.  Return to the Media 
Room.  Good job everyone.