Smoke was visible for many miles; as a result of an accident which caused an overturned gasoline tanker truck to explode.   The incident occurred Tuesday February 7, 2012 on Shady Grove Road near the intersection of Highway 247 at about 10:15 in the morning.   Officials stated that power lines came down on top of the tanker, as a result of the wreck, which in turn ignited the fuel that was on board.

In the past, firefighters would have had to rely on conventional fire extinguishing methods, which can present their own set of hazards.   This particular tanker carried approximately 9000 gallons of gasoline, which presents not only the fire hazard, but serious environmental risks as well.

To put this fire out, a relatively new technology that utilizes compressed air and fire retardant foam was used.  These systems, known as CAFS, are far more effective than traditional water or conventional foam systems.  Very few fire agencies have such technology at their disposal.  

In Anderson County, as in other counties, we have a local emergency planning committee (LEPC).  This committee works with county emergency management and first responders to understand the chemical hazards in our county.   Together they develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent or effectively respond to accidents.  The LEPC is funded by fees that are paid by companies that store large quantities of hazardous materials.

It was from those funds that this new type of fire suppressant technology is available in Anderson County.    Once on scene, this particular blaze was put out in less than 15 minutes.  These systems are capable of putting out a fire using 75 percent less water than traditional firefighting methods. That can mean less property damage and less fatigue for firefighters.  After the blaze was put out, about 4,000 gallons of gasoline was left in the truck.  Anderson County Hazmat teams worked to remove the fuel and clean up the scene.

Anderson County Wins National Award.  

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) recently announced that that Anderson County, in its participation with the Western Piedmont Regional Emergency Management Task Force, is the winner of the IAEM-USA "Partners in Preparedness Award." This award recognizes programs or processes that demonstrate innovative, multi-participant involvement between local governments and governmental entities along with the private sector  which have resulted in effective and efficient incident management, emergency management or homeland security processes.  This award was for the Palmetto Shield/Red Dragon exercise held in June of 2010.  Participants included the counties of the Western Piedmont Regional Emergency Management Task Force, which includes Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenwood, and Abbeville counties, along with Clemson University, and the U.S. Army Reserve.  

Above Picture Taken at the IAEM Conference held in San Antonio, Texas November 2, 2010

 Anderson County Wins Award at S.C. Association of Counties Conference

Western Piedmont Emergency Management Task Force, which includes Anderson County, wins Barrett Lawrimore Award for Palmetto Shield / Red Dragon Training Exercise.  This exercise included over 105 agencies in a full scale diaster drill.   Click Here for more information.  The story is near the botom of page two of the press release.

Above picture taken in September 2010 in Clemson, SC.  Paticipants from Anderson, Abbeville, Oconee, Pickens & Greenwood Counties receiving their awards.