UPDATE: Hazmat Incident in Pocomoke City, MD
The Worcester County Special Hazards Response Team responded to a chemical emergency in Pocomoke City this afternoon. A patient had been exposed to Iodine Monochloride. Two other victims were exposed– an additional employee and a first responder– who encountered the first patient during treatment. Initial efforts were to confirm all chemicals involved and identify proper decontamination procedures to treat the patients before they were transported to a nearby hospital. All of the victims at the scene reported respiratory irritation and were decontaminated at the scene before being transported to Tidal Health hospital in Salisbury for further evaluation and treatment. The situation was brought under control and turned back over to RICCA Chemical Company staff at 3:45 PM.
Additional Information from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office:
At 12:04 PM the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company and the Pocomoke City EMS Departments were dispatched to RICCA Chemical Company located at 1841 Broad Street in Pocomoke for a reported chemical emergency with one known victim. Shortly after dispatch the Worcester County Special Hazards Team led by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond.
Upon arrival of Pocomoke City units, it was confirmed there was one priority patient who had been exposed to Iodine Monochloride. It was then learned there were two other victims, an additional employee and a first responder who encountered the first patient during treatment. Initial efforts were to confirm all chemicals involved and identify proper decontamination procedures to treat the patients before they were transported to a nearby hospital.
Iodine monochloride to some extent reacts with water to produce an acidic gas. All of the victims at the scene reported respiratory irritation and were decontaminated at the scene before being transported to Tidal Health hospital in Salisbury for further evaluation and treatment.
Hazmat team members made entry in fully encapsulated chemical resistant suits into the facility to document and render the scene safe before cleanup operations could commence.
The situation was brought under control and turned back over to RICCA Chemical Company staff at 3:45 PM.
Pocomoke City was assisted by Stockton, Snow Hill, Girdletree, Oak Hall and Greenbackville fire and EMS companies. Hazardous materials technicians from the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office and the Worcester County Department of Emergency Services also responded to the scene.
Earlier Post:
A hazmat incident on Broad Street in Pocomoke City, MD has led to a road closure, according to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The closure includes Pocomoke Beltway and 8th Street. This hazmat incident is contained, however, due to precautionary reasons the elementary and middle school students are being kept inside. Law Enforcement are also asking neighborhoods in the surrounding areas to limit outside activity during this time. Pocomoke City Police Department is handling this incident.
