Fire Commission Meeting Focuses on Propane Tank Safety Issues

— by Susan McBain —

The “hot topic” for the July 17 meeting of the Orcas Board of Fire Commissioners wasn’t on the agenda.

The public wanted to talk about Inter-Island Propane’s proposed location of a 30,000-gallon propane tank on Aeroview Lane near Seaview St., and the capacity of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) to deal with a propane leak, explosion or fire there. Commissioner Amanda Montague proposed that their input be added to the agenda, after the regular agenda had been addressed.

Thirteen speakers urged Fire Chief Scott Williams to fully discuss safety issues in his recommendations to the San Juan County Hearing Examiner, Sharon Rice, who will make the decision on whether to approve a permit for the tank. Although the location of the tank is legal according to the zoning, the speakers raised a number of safety concerns about the proposed installation.

Most of the concerns were also raised at the July 13 initial permit hearing in Friday Harbor. After that meeting, Rice issued an order requiring the County to provide written responses to all public testimony presented at the hearing. OIFR will also provide comments and recommendations in response to that order.

Paul Kamin, manager of the Eastsound Water Users Association and member of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee, listed several major concerns in his comment:

• The location of at least five residences within 150-200 feet of the tank, although the official zoning of the location is light industrial;
• The inability of many residents to evacuate from Seaview St. (a dead end) in event of a street closure;
• Insufficient water flow for cooling and fire suppression from existing hydrants in the area; and
• The fact that OIFR staff do not have advanced levels of training in responding to a propane fire.

Kamin said his research showed that a tank of this size has a minimum evacuation distance of over a mile. The entire Eastsound Urban Growth Area (UGA) would thus be affected by an explosion, including the fire station. He also noted, “The opportunity for public comment has expired; citizens can’t weigh in further. We are dependent on the fire department to make sure that conditions make it as safe as possible.”

Other speakers were concerned with difficulties in communicating and carrying out evacuation orders, the presence of both another large propane tank and a large gasoline tank within half a mile of the proposed tank, increased traffic of heavy trucks on neighborhood roads with no curbs, sidewalks or shoulders, and the possible effects of an earthquake. Another concern was whether a problem with the tank might require closure of the airport, eliminating one method of receiving aid and conducting evacuations.

In response to all the comments, Chief Williams noted that OIFR is bound by the law and the requirements of the district, county and state. He also noted that OIFR has no code enforcement capabilities but can only make recommendations on this issue. He is re-evaluating all aspects of the issue, including water supplies, alarm systems, training and certification, and evacuation plans. He will also use tonight’s comments in developing his recommendations to the Hearing Examiner. The Fire Marshal, R.J. Myers, spoke briefly near the end of the meeting and stated that he will also be making recommendations.

Commissioner Tim Fuller concluded, “One of our roles as a commission is to provide this forum for all the comments on safety issues, and to support the Chief in responding to this issue. He has put together information that will be forwarded to the hearing examiner, and we appreciate all this input.”