On Wednesday Dec.6,at approximately 2:30 p.m. Station 16 (Salisbury) was alerted for a two vehicle wreck on Pemberton Road, on the city's west side. While units were enroute, Wicomico Central gave additional information that a fuel truck was involved and had flipped onto its side, leaking its contents.
After receiving this information Assistant Chief Chief Rick Hoppes requested the assignment be upgraded to a HazMat incident. Stations 1, 2 (Salisbury), 5 (Hebron) and the Maryland Department of the Environment were alerted to fill the assignment. He established a city wide command (used when all Salisbury stations are operating at one incident) and began to assign sectors and tasks. Deputy Chief 2 (Salisbury Deputy Chief Bill Gordy) and Truck 16 were assigned "Recon".
The drivers were treated by Paramedic 16 and Paramedic 161, who transported them to Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Upon the arrival of HazMat 1 and HazMat 2 containment operations continued and kept the fuel from entering into a small creek less than 150 feet away from the spill. A second tank truck from the oil company was brought in to off load approximately 1,500 gallons.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. Assistant Chief Hoppes reported the incident under control.
A and A Environmental Services were contacted by the fuel company for cleanup. Personnel from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the State Highway Administration assisted.
The Maryland State Police investigated the crash. At approximately 6:52 p.m. command was terminated and the last units cleared the scene.
