Stockton Firefighters Prepare For Chemical Fire Disaster
STOCKTON (CBS13) - If a large chemical fire breaks out in Stockton, there's a good chance firefighters will know what they're up against.
That's because first responders inspect industrial businesses in town so firefighters are familiar with what could possibly spark an explosion.
Stockton firefighters trained Thursday for a chemical fire emergency coincidentally scheduled for the day after a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
Dozens gathered at Station No. 2 where responders learned vital firefighting skills.
"When a fire does occur, everyone knows their role. We aren't getting to a fire and then trying to come up with a game plan," said Stockton Fire Captain Brian Jones.
The knowledge of what's inside a building is critical to firefighters' plan of attack, said Battalion Chief Rick Stubstad.
"The first thing I'm going to do as a battalion chief is I'm going to find somebody who's in charge of the plant," he said. "Sometimes the best call is to do nothing at all until we figure out what's going on, so we don't get anyone more people hurt."
Stockton firefighters trained for possible ammonia emergencies, a chemical often transported by ships at the Stockton port. Unlike what exploded in Texas, it's in gas form, meaning there's no real threat of an explosion.
"It's an inert gas. The only hazard we have is inhalation," Stubstad said.
Firefighters have been relying heavily on mutual aid. Training allows departments to work together ahead of an emergency.
