CDP grad assists hazmat incident caused by pileup

Training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) helped a former graduate handle a hazardous material issue last month at the site of a deadly pileup on a Louisiana interstate.

A mixture of wildfire smoke and fog reduced visibility on I-55 near New Orleans to about 10 feet on October 24, causing tractor-trailers and more than 160 vehicles to crash.

Fran Webber, who has attended healthcare and hazardous materials courses at the CDP numerous times since 2013, and another member of her team at Southeast Emergency Services, were asked to assist with identifying material carried by one of the tanker trucks involved in the accident. The truck was on fire and compromised.

Webber and her coworker identified the substance as a 10-12 percent solution of formaldehyde and ensured the truck was removed without a secondary incident.

In all, Webber worked the scene for approximately 18 hours, which included decontaminating responders who were sprayed with the chemical while attempting to drain the tanker.

“Basically, we did whatever was needed,” said Webber, adding that her training at the CDP and contacts she established during her time here were invaluable in ensuring her safety and that of other responders.