CFA and other emergency services worked together on a hazmat incident at Longwarry last Thursday, 4 August.
CFA was called just after 5pm to reports of a smoke alarm operating at the Longwarry Food Park on Mackey Street.
Upon arrival firefighters were made aware of a vapour leaking from a container, which Longwarry Food Park staff had removed from the plant room.
Firefighters from Longwarry, Drouin and Bunyip brigades attended the call, with the Warragul Hazmat and FRV Hazmat 88 vehicles called in for additional support.
CFA Commander Emma Conway praised the work of all personnel on scene and said this was another example of the various emergency agencies working together in challenging circumstances.
“The challenge for crews was to determine why a non-toxic material was reacting the way it was,” said Commander Conway.
“Through collaboration with CFA, FRV and a scientific officer, they discovered the vapor was caused by a reaction of two unrelated products combining.
“Once the plant room and container were determined to be safe, the site was handed back to the plant managers.”
Ambulance Victoria was also on scene to assess onsite staff and support firefighters wearing gas-suits.
Commander Conway said the debrief by brigades at the end of the incident identified some great lessons around the use of the Warragul Hazmat vehicle as well as an increased interest from surrounding brigades to be more involved in hazmat response.
“There was overall agreement on the night that all parties worked constructively and positively to resolve the incident.”