JB MDL partners with DLA to cap fuel-spill exercise

Published Sept. 22, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst partnered with the Defense Logistics Agency to conduct a fuel-spill exercise Sept. 16 here.

The exercise began at 9:18 a.m. when an Airman discovered a leak on a fuel-storage tank.

The Emergency Operations Center was activated once the simulated leak was discovered. All organizational representatives reported to Building 1821 to brief the EOC commander on the situation.

Simulated flying debris from a tornado created a crack in a fuels-storage tank allowing approximately two-million gallons of fuel to escape. Emergency crews arrived on scene to asses and secure the area while JB MDL security forces members blocked the area off from the public.

Players simulated cutting power to the area the spill occurred in. Weather specialists monitored the direction and speed of winds as well as any approaching storms.

Crews from JB MDL Emergency Management, fire department, environmental office and the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron were on scene within 15 minutes of the discovery of the fuel leak.

"The urgency was there," said Lawrence Bowers, Defense Logistics Agency. "If I have to come here in response to a spill, I'm confident JB MDL personnel know what they're doing."

The first priority for the JB MDL Fire Department and the environmental team was to demonstrate the ability to contain the spilled fuel.

"The key is to stop fuel from traveling off base and hitting water basins," said Bowers.

"These guys know where the water goes and the impact a spill would have on the water supply if it's not stopped."

Responders stretched barriers across streams downhill from the spill to soak up any fuel leaked into the water.

"A quick response is key to the safety of people, environment, property and overall conservation," said Lenny Dotson, JB MDL Fire Department captain. "How fast we arrive on scene also determines the extent of medical care people may need as well as the amount of clean-up."

Crews simulated recovering fuel after the spill was contained and the threat of water contamination was eliminated. The process of recovering fuel requires crews to skim any contaminated water as well as remove any contaminated soil. The recovered fuel is then taken off base where it is recycled.

An estimated 80 percent of fuel was recovered from the fuel spill, according to Charanjit Gill, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Pollution Prevention supervisor.

"This exercise tested the ability of people to respond to a catastrophe such as this fuel spill," said Senior Master Sgt. Jon Kritof, 87th LRS flight superintendent. "I feel the response time and protection of the JB MDL community members, as well as the environment, was impressive."

This exercise was one of several conducted by the installation to enhance personnel readiness and response to real-world disasters.

"These exercises are meant to prepare the base emergency services as well as test the capability of equipment needed to address such disasters," said Bob Scherer, JB MDL Exercise and Plans chief of exercises and evaluations.

Base personnel can expect more exercises in the future ranging from active-shooter scenarios to simulated chemical and biological attacks.

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