CTA Report, Draft 1, ISP Review - US Chemical Safety and Hazard ...

5.3.3 Firefighting Activities
5.3.3.1 Initial Fire Attack and Treatment of Injured
The West Knox Fire Department arrived at the CTA facility within 10 minutes. Knox County responders
set up triage for the injured, and additional ambulances were called.
The Laurel County Emergency Management Director became the incident commander (IC) and
established a command post. One of the first priorities of the IC was to find out what chemicals were
involved and release accurate information to the media. CTA provided copies of MSDSs and a floor
plan, and answered the IC’s questions concerning materials and equipment.
5.3.3.2 Community and Plant Site Evacuations
The IC set an initial evacuation zone around the plant of 660 feet based on the rising smoke plume and
local weather conditions. This required only removal of employees from the plant property. Telephone
discussions with Borden Chemical—the phenolic resin manufacturer—revealed that trace quantities of
hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, formaldehyde, phenol, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide could be
released as the phenolic resin burned.
The IC then increased the evacuation zone to 0.5 mile, and nearby residents and businesses were ordered
to evacuate. Police moved employees away from the plant site; rerouted traffic and blocked off roads;
and went door-to-door to evacuate businesses, homes, and apartment complexes. As a precaution, an
elementary school outside of the evacuation zone was also evacuated. At the request of the IC, the
Federal Aviation Administration restricted airspace around the facility.
Due to a misunderstanding in radio communication between the incident command center and other
responding emergency agencies, the evacuation zone was inadvertently extended to 1.5 miles. This
prompted the Kentucky State Police to temporarily close a portion of Interstate 75.
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