Firefighters assess an unidentified patient at ACS in Tualatin. Evacuated employees can be seen in the background.
TVF&R responded to a mass casualty incident in Tualatin this morning. At 8:22 a.m., employees at ACS, located at 18277 SW Boone’s Ferry in Tualatin, called 911 complaining of nausea and light-headedness. The building was quickly evacuated.
Firefighters arrived to find more than 100 people outside the building, more than 20 of whom complained of respiratory symptoms including burning noses, coughing and watery eyes. Firefighters quickly declared a Mass Casualty Incident and called for more resources as they began assessing employees for injuries. Firefighters determined that 12 patients should be transported to local hospitals.
As additional resources arrived, firefighters made entry into the building and located the source of the problem. TVF&R has determined that a computer backup system’s battery (about the size of a car battery) boiled over and the sulfuric acid particulates spread into some areas of the building. Firefighters removed the battery and used HazMat monitors to check the air and ensure that the building was safe to re-enter. At no time during the incident was there a danger to any of the surrounding community and no additional evacuations were necessary. TVF&R advised ACS managers that the building was safe to occupy three hours after arriving on-scene.
Firefighters consider a Mass Casualty Incident any incident involving more than 10 patients. “Although Mass Casualty Incidents don’t happen often, this is something we train for on a regular basis,” says TVF&R’s Brian Barker, “so that when the real thing happens, we’re ready.”
Total emergency personnel involved:
16 Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue
4 Lake Oswego Fire
8 Metro West Ambulance
