Scenarios related to the fuel that would require emergency response

The diesel and gasoline underground storage tanks situated below the gas station can be a disaster in waiting, and it makes the surrounding environment vulnerable to fire and health hazards. In one of the scenarios, the fuel from the tanks can spill into the soil and groundwater and the chemicals present be transferred to the water outlets such as underground wells and taps and plants and vegetables. The consumption of contaminated water can have adverse effects on the health of the people in the surrounding areas whereas the plants can die or cause health problems once consumed. Some of the illnesses exposure to contaminated water and vegetables or fruits can cause include: cancer, dermatitis, and paralysis.

Fire is the second scenario likely to require an emergency response. If the underground diesel and gasoline tanks are tampered with and start leaking into the surface area, the vapors can recollect in the surface and risk explosion which can be fatal given that there is a gas station.  The nearby businesses adjacent to the station, the elementary school, and the large housing complex are all at risk of catching fire with its inhabitants.

The third emergency response in this scenario will arise from the destruction of houses in case the underground tanks explode.  Given that the containers are subject to high temperatures, they might rapture causing a massive bang to the surface and end up destroying the building and shopping complexes. Poor maintenance of the given site might end up rendering the place unfit for human settlement due to constant underground as well as plants.

Using the GEMBO Model to identify potential Hazards

The General Emergency Behavior Model (GEMBO) can be used as a tool to determine the imminent hazards in the given case study. Different steps need to be implemented to identify potential risks.

First, any form of stress in the tanks should be identified. Checks should be made on the underground tanks to determine whether compressions or stressing occurs. If so, the tanks have to be replaced to avoid bursting and leakages.

Second, a test has to be conducted to identify if the containers are breached.

Third, the tanks have to be examined to identify whether there is a release of hazardous material through the breach.

If there is a leakage, a prediction has to be made regarding the dispersion of the material. The last step involves identifying the likely harm that can result from the diesel and gasoline breach from underground.

Ways to Reduce the Risks

The spills can be prevented through the following engineering methods. First and foremost, the underground storage tanks must be installed appropriately .if the storage tanks have been underground for long without protection from rust, there is a high probability of them breaking and leaking. Therefore, new corrosive protected tanks coated with cathodic protection have to be installed to prevent spills. The pipes, hoses, fittings, and valves connected to the storage tanks need to be checked on regularly to prevent them from any leakages. The pipes easily break because of corrosion and for that reason; they need to be protected from rusting through the use of non-corrosive material.  Additionally, the tanks and piping system uses electromagnetic instruments and ultrasonic devices to sense the weak spots for repair before further damage. Besides, the tanks and pipes have to be regularly tested through the tightness testing method (statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR) , or automatic tank gauging).

Emergency Response Requirements

In case of a suspected or confirmed spill or release from the underground storage tanks, a report has to be made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authority as soon as possible. Given this is a small town, a report has to be made to the households, businesses, and school to quickly and safely evacuate the people to a more open and safer ground before to avoid more disaster. Short term actions have to be undertaken to stop further release and ensure that the public is safe.

Recommendations for Protective Equipment

In case of emergency response, the local authorities, individuals with the knowledge of dealing with spillage or leakage, firefighters and an official from EPA are the immediate respondents. Protective gear to be worn in case of a spill consists of suits, gloves, respirators, face shields, and boots. All these ensure that the respondent worker’s body is fully covered and free from the risk of contamination.

HAZWOPER Training for the Gas Station Employees

The employees at the gas station need HAZWOPER training given that the station is vulnerable. So, in case of an emergency, they will be the first responders to contain the situation. As a result, they need to know how to; identify imminent danger to the life and health environment; deal with situations that are life-threatening; evacuate people from a hazardous area; ensure that the victims have enough oxygen. In general, they have to be ready to be involved in emergency response operations before the other responders arrive.

 
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