MEC&F Expert Engineers

Monday, September 24, 2018

A Union Pacific train derailed in Alton, Iowa, train bridge collapsed, and 20 cars carrying soybean oil and sand fell into the flooded Floyd River










Please avoid traveling through Alton today due to increased traffic and equipment arriving to assist the derailment
 
Train derails in Iowa, dumping sand, railcars into river


No injuries were reported after a train derailed in Iowa and 20 cars carrying soybean oil and sand fell into the flooded Floyd River.


ALTON, Iowa -- 


No injuries have been reported after a train derailed in northwest Iowa and 20 cars carrying soybean oil and sand fell into the flooded Floyd River.

The Des Moines Register reports the bridge beneath the Union Pacific train collapsed as part of the derailment Sunday morning. Officials say no hazardous materials leaked into the river.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Department shot video showing the mangled pile of rail cars and the bridge in the river.


Alton City Administrator Dale Oltmans says the derailment happened around 4:30 a.m. Sunday on the edge of the small town of Alton.

Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza says recent flooding and heavy rain may have contributed to the derailment. The train was traveling from Mankato, Minnesota, to North Platte, Nebraska.


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Reckless and/or drunk speeding driver and his passenger bite the dust in Fresno County when he lost control and crashed into a walnut tree





Sunday, September 23, 2018
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- 


The California Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that killed two people near Walnut and Elkhorn Avenues in Fresno County.

Authorities say the driver was speeding and passing other cars when he lost control and crashed into a walnut tree.

The two men are in their late teens and early 20s.

It's not yet known if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash.  But it is a very strong possibility.  The male brain does not fully mature until the mid- to late 20s.  So, a lot of reckless acts are done by male subjects that end up costing their lives and the lives of others.

All roads in the area are now back open to traffic, after being closed for several hours for the investigation into the deadly accident.

The Paxis 1 sailboat sunk after it struck rockes near the Crescent City Harbor entrance in California






CRESCENT CITY, Calif. —



The Coast Guard continues its response to a sailboat that partially sunk outside Crescent City Harbor after striking rocks, Tuesday evening.

Sailing vessel Paxis 1 crew-members contacted Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders at approximately 9 p.m., Tuesday, requesting assistance after striking rocks near the Crescent City Harbor entrance.

Del Norte County Sheriff’s Marine Unit arrived on scene and evacuated the crewmembers without injury. The Coast Guard was unable to take the sailboat in tow due to the advanced state of flooding and submersion.

The Paxis 1 remains partially submerged outside Crescent City Harbor entrance and is not showing signs of pollution.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Humboldt Bay personnel are working with the vessel owners and their insurance company to salvage the boat.

The submerged vessel is not currently a hazard to navigation for traffic around the entrance channel, but mariners should monitor marine-band VHF radio channels 16 and 22A for regular updates until the vessel is removed.

EXTENSION CORD SAFETY: Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 more.





Extension Cord Safety



Planning to deck your halls with festive lights and decorations this year? Chances are, you’ll end up using an extension cord to help you. While they are a convenient way to supply power right where you need it, they can also create hazards if not used safely.

Follow this simple guidance to avoid a decorating disaster:
  • Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis.
  • Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or device being used.
  • Inspect cords for damage before use. Check for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections.
  • Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way.
  • Do not run extension cords through walls or ceilings. This may cause the cord to overheat, creating a serious fire hazard.
  • Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards.
  • Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.
  • Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard.
  • Insert plugs fully so that no part of the prongs is exposed when the extension cord is in use.
  • Ensure that all extension cords are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, or ETL, and read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fast Facts:
  • Each year, about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Half of these injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords.
  • Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 more.
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Planning to deck your halls with festive lights and decorations this year?  However, before you get ready for your next project, you should keep in mind these several outdoor extension cord safety tips, so that you can avoid an accident involving old or improper use of extension cords.

1. Avoid water exposure

Never run an extension cord through water or snow, and be especially careful when using them around water sources, such as pools, sprinklers or ponds. Since water conducts electricity, an extension cord exposed to water can cause an electric shock, sparks or even a fire.

2. Keep away from high traffic areas

To avoid accidents or injuries, make sure all cords are tucked away from high traffic areas. This includes ensuring that people and animals cannot get entangled in them.

3. Stow them in a cool environment

Extension cords conduct heat as electricity passes through the wires in the center of the cord. To keep them from overheating, make sure they are uncovered, and never run them through walls, ceilings or floors. If a cord feels hot to the touch, unplug it immediately.

4. Do not over extend

Plugging too many devices or appliances into an extension cord can cause complications, which can then lead to overheating or power surges. Make sure to use one extension cord per appliance. Multi-outlet extensions should only be used alone and not in conjunction with another cord.

5. Use it as a temporary fix only

Outdoor extension cords are for temporary use only, and should not be used to replace permanent wiring. If you need a permanent power supply, call an electrician to mount wall outlets on your home’s exterior walls.

6. Check the indoor or outdoor rating

All extension cords are different. Check to make sure that you are using the correct cord by looking at the indoor or outdoor rating. This consists of examining the wattage allotment, length and prongs. Also, always make sure to use a ground three-prong cord for outdoor use.

7. Store them properly

Make sure to store all extension cords properly by coiling or hanging them somewhere indoors. After you store them, check the condition of the cord. If you notice cracks or exposed wires, its time for a new one.

Hazmat situation after massive fire at the metal plating company Gleco Plating in Rowlett, Texas





Hazmat Crews Clean Up After Rowlett Fire

The fire department said the fire started at Gleco Plating


By Diana Zoga

September 23, 2018


Rowlett, Texas

There was heavy smoke in the sky as firefighters battled a business fire in Rowlett Sunday afternoon. The call came into the fire department at 4:50 p.m. Sunday as a building in an industrial area on Grisham Drive burned.

The fire department said the fire started at Gleco Plating.

No one was hurt, but hazmat crews will be on scene much of the night to make sure chemicals released in the fire don't leak into the water.

"As the sprinkler system activated, we had to use a lot of water to put the fire out," said Rowlett Fire Chief Neil Howard. "We still have a lot of runoff and we are working very diligently at containing it and keeping it out of the water system."


The department said it may be a few days before investigators know what caused the fire.


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Providing metal finishing for over 35 years



Gleco Plating, Inc. was founded by Glen Gurley and his wife Jean in July 1979 in Garland, Texas.


Mr. Gurley had been involved in the metal finishing industry for many years in several capacities for other plating shops. It wasn’t until his abrupt departure from one of these companies, and constant encouragement from former associates and customers that he decided to go into business for himself. Hence, the formation of Gleco Plating, Inc.


Gleco started in a small, 1500 square foot facility with a handful of employees to what it is today: 75,000+ square feet contained within 2 facilities located in Rowlett, Texas and McAllen, Texas with over 115+ employees.


After Mr. Gurley’s death in 2002, ownership passed onto his son-in-law, Jeff Fodge, and daughter Glenda Fodge. Since then, their son, Matt Fodge, has become a 3rd generation principal in the company and oversees much of the day-to-day operations.


The business was founded on the premise that all customers, large or small, deserve the best quality, turnaround, and overall service that Gleco could possibly provide. We still hold to those values today.