NTSB Safety Recommendation P-88-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-88-010.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA: DEVELOP AND COORDINATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS PLANS WITH LOCAL GAS COMPANY OFFICIALS TO IDENTIFY AND FULFILL THE KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING NEEDS OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES FOR INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE NATURAL GAS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1988-11-21

Adopted Date: 1988-10-25

Overall Date Closed: 1989-02-28

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 18, 1988, A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION DESTROYED THE BUILDING HOUSING THE K&W CAFETERIA AND THE LOBBY OF THE SHERATON MOTOR INN AT 380 KNOLLWOOD STREET, WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA. TWO ADJOINING MOTEL WINGS SUFFERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. OF THE FOUR PERSONS IN THE LOBBY/ CAFETERIA BUILDING AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, THREE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FOURTH PERSON SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE. ONE MOTEL GUEST ALSO SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS BUT REFUSED TREATMENT.

Probable Cause: None

Keywords: Firefighting, Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA88MP008

Report Number: PAR-88-01

Addressee Name: State of North Carolina, City of Winston-Salem

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1989-02-28

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-02-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Thank you for your letter in response to the National Transportation Safety Board's Safety Recommendation P,-88-10 concerning the development of emergency response preparedness plans for incidents that involve natural gas. The Safety Board is pleased to learn that the Winston-Salem Fire Department has met with local gas company officials to review current emergency response plans and to make improvements where needed. Furthermore, we understand that the fire department will make an assessment of its current training requirements and revise its training program as necessary. Based on this information, Safety Recommendation P-88-10 has been classified as "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1988-12-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WITH REGARD TO SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-88-10, THE WINSTON SALEM FIRE DEPT. HAS MET WITH OFFICIALS OF PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS CO. TO CRITIQUE THE HANDLING OF THE K&W INCIDENT. INCLUDED IN THIS CRITIQUE WAS A REVIEW OF EXISTING EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AND PROCEDURES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE COORDINATION OF THE PLANS AND PROCEDURES BETWEEN THE TWO AGENCIES. THE WINSTON-SALEM FIRE DEPT. WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AND MAKE ENHANCEMENTS WHERE APPROPRIATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FIRE DEPT. WILL MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND REVISE OUR TRAINING AND/OR DEVELOP NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS AS DEEMED NECESSARY.