APRIL 17, 2015
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
Local emergency responders are still working to get their
money back after the hazardous chemical leak that shut down I-90 at State Line
in Fall of 2014. They are asking for about $80,000 in reimbursement costs.
People throughout the area reported smelling the toxic
fumes. Since then, KREM 2 News has learned the trucking company responsible for
hauling that chemical contends the leak never even happened.
"From their perspective only, since we let them drive
down the highway the next day, then it wasn't, in fact, a leak," said Andy
Hail, the Deputy Fire Chief in Spokane Valley.
Hail has been the point man since last September for
documenting the local emergency response to the haz-mat scare that shut down
I-90 at State Line.
It detoured traffic for more than 19 hours, while hazardous
materials crews worked furiously to fix a leaking valve on tanker truck. It was
hauling dimethylamine anhydrous - a highly toxic, flammable chemical that can
cause respiratory damage if inhaled. It has a trademark odor of rotting fish.
"That was one of the indicators that we've got product
in the atmosphere, because those guys were coming back reeking. And you
couldn't get away from it," said Hail.
Hail has now submitted first-hand testimony to McKenzie Tank
Lines out of Florida to prove the leak and the emergency response it prompted
was real and absolutely necessary.
"I think by the challenge of the evidence that has been
provided, they are, in fact saying, this really was a non-event," said
Hail.
Hail said he is confident in the evidence he has gathered --
time logs, chemical tests, and witness reports to prove the reimbursement
request is valid.
Six separate agencies, including Valley Fire, Spokane Fire,
Fairchild Air Force Base, and the Washington DOT are asking for a combined
total of about $80,000. Because this was not your typical emergency response,
state law clearly says that they are entitled to that reimbursement.
"Most fire situations, most medical situations, even
minor hazardous material situations, that is considered the normal expectation
of a public safety agency to respond to those, and not seek
reimbursement," said Hail. "But this one was different. This one was
different."
Local authorities tell me they have submitted all of their
evidence to McKenzie Tank Lines. Now, it is up to their attorney to respond,
which will dictate the next move.
Source: http://www.krem.com