Attendees will get an overview of the January 2022 response to the Winston Weaver Fertilizer Plant Fire in Winston-Salem, NC. At the time of the fire, there was enough ammonium nitrate on site to create one of the largest accidental explosions in US history.
This session's focus will be on lessons learned and considerations for executive officers to prepare their agency for a non-weather event spanning a week. Information and discussion will include citizen notification, evacuation, access control, media relations, handling dignitaries, drone operations, sheltering, emergency operations center & incident command post location and layout, Tier II reporting & access, and environmental impacts.
Is your department ready to manage an incident over 14 operational periods that involves 43 outside agencies?
Learning Objectives:
Describe the properties of ammonium nitrate when it is heated and confined.
Learn considerations to efficiently conduct a large-scale evacuation, giving due attention to messaging, traffic management, media relations, social media, English translation, GIS support, public health, and transportation.
Be better prepared for sustained drone operations in controlled airspace over multiple operational periods.