8/13/2016 Port Incident. By Bob Lehmann and Greg Forgea.

At approximately 8:00 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2016, the East Greenbush Emergency Communication Center dispatched the East Greenbush Fire District No. 3 to the Buckeye fuel terminal located on American Oil Road in the Port of Rensselaer for a reported large fuel spill. Upon arrival, Chief Lehmann was advised by terminal staff that approximately 600 gallon of gasoline spilled in the containment area around the holding tanks and an active fuel leak existed. Complicating the situation, the entire terminal was out of power and the on-site supplemental water system was inoperable due to the power outage.

Chief Lehmann requested a second alarm for additional apparatus and manpower as well as the Rensselaer County Hazardous Materials team and foam trailer as a severe thunderstorm approached the area. Members from the East Greenbush Fire District No. 3 and the Clinton Heights Department established a water supply and foam operation while terminal staff and their cleanup contractor worked with representatives from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Rensselaer County Hazardous Materials team to stop the leak. Due to a lack of water in the area, Car 1 requested large tankers from West Sand Lake (43-9) and South Schodack (34-9).

All apparatus were cleared at approximate 1:30 AM on Sunday, August 14 after working for 5.5 hours to help control the spill and mitigate the hazards. The cause of the leak is still under investigation. No injuries were reported.

East Greenbush responded with Engines 7, 8, and 9, Rescue 11, Truck 11, and Utility 11 as well as members from the Fire Police Unit. Mutual Aid was provided by members from the Clinton Heights Fire Department, Best Luther Fire Department, Castleton Fire Company, Defreestville Fire Department, Schodack Valley Fire Department, South Schodack Fire Department, West Sand Lake Fire Department, Rensselaer County Hazardous Materials & Decontamination teams, Rensselaer Fire Department, Troy Fire Department, Bruen Rescue Squad, Castleton Ambulance, NYSDEC, Albany Port Commission, Rensselaer Police and the East Greenbush Police.

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