Motor Vehicle Collision with Hazmat
 
By Firefighter/EMT-B Brad Saunders
October 26, 2020
 

On October 26th 2020 at 5:56 PM Benedict Volunteers along with Hughesville VFD, La Plata VFD, Mechanicville VFD, Prince Frederick VFD, Waldorf VFD and Charles County DES Hazmat Team were alerted to Prince Frederick Road and Animal Shelter Road (Benedict VFD 1st Due) for the Motor Vehicle Collision involving a tractor trailer over a guardrail. Squad 2, Engine Tanker 2 and Ambulance 27 responded. Squad 2 arrived on scene to find a tow truck off the roadway and down an embankment after going through the guard rail. Squad 2 assessed the scene and determined there were no injuries related to the collision. A small leak was discovered in the diesel exhaust fluid tank and transmission. Squad 2 set up containment for the leaking fluids. Rescue Engine 5 arrived on scene and established command. It was determined the scene would be managed with Rescue Engine 5 and the Hazmat team. The Hazmat Team arrived and offloaded approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel from the saddle tanks of the tow truck to prevent the tanks from rupturing during recovery efforts. The transmission fluid and diesel exhaust fluid were cleaned up by the tow company.