Fire in a Tire Recycling Facility (Nebraska City, Nebraska - January 23 to February 3, 2001) » Lessons Learned

1. Small towns can muster the resources to handle a major incident.

   A considerable effort was expended by members of the local fire department as well as its neighbors in their efforts to manage and extinguish the incident. Agencies worked well together and relieved upon the local emergency operations plan for guidance. The use of a fire watch was a very proactive step and helped minimize fatigue that is common at incidents of long duration. The overwhelming majority of the emergency responders were volunteer, which necessitated a great deal of time away from their families and jobs. Emergency planners should consider this possibility when preparing or revising their plans.

   Functional emergency operations plans provide for the appropriate division of labor prior to an incident and take the guesswork out of the details. People and agencies know what is expected of them and can readily accomplish their assigned tasks with little, if any direction.

2. Most local zoning and building codes do not adequately address facilities of this type.

   Traditionally, volunteer fire departments do not become involved in local zoning issues and often lack the resources to properly preplan target hazards. The facility in this incident was not designed for its use, nor were there adequate safe guards built into the process since the complex already existed and was modified to accommodate this particular process. Fire departments should become more proactive in the permitting and zoning process and should endeavor to ensure appropriate code enforcements in facilities of this type, whenever it is possible to do so.

3. EMS standbys are tedious.

   In the vast majority of all incidents, EMS standbys are routine, non-events. They are tedious at best, but most are boring. It is easy to become complacent and forget that something real can occur. The local rescue squad was, in this instance, mobilized from a routine situation to a multiple casualty event with thirteen injured and the potential for many more.

4. Documentation is vital.

   An excellent documentation process was followed by the local fire and EMS agencies. Such record keeping is essential for effective and efficient operations. Also, if the incident is ever declared to be a disaster and reimbursement efforts are necessary. Proper documentation also establishes historical records in the event of future litigation and provides a baseline in the event that there are any long-term health care problems involving emergency responders.

5. Communications continues to be an issue.

   Inadequate communications systems and equipment as well as the incompatibility of neighboring jurisdictions continues to plague emergency responders as they respond to major events. The radio systems in Iowa and Nebraska were incompatible and an equipment failure during the most critical portion of the incident essentially shut down the fire department’s radio system. More planning and resources need to be given to updating communication systems and ensuring their interoperability with mutal aid assets.