Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Emergency management raises alarm over surge in lithium-battery fires at county landfill; requests PAPRs and screenings
Summary
County emergency management reported a sharp increase in lithium-battery fires at the county landfill—rising from one or two per year to about 60 annually—and recommended purchasing powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for landfill workers and cancer screenings for first responders.
Iron County's emergency management office told commissioners it has seen a rapid increase in lithium-battery fires at the county landfill and proposed buying powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for landfill staff and pursuing medical screening to identify cancer risk among personnel exposed to toxic smoke.
"We're now having 60 a year," the emergency management presenter said, describing a jump from one or two fires annually. The presenter said landfill crews have inhaled toxic fumes from burning lithium batteries and that self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) would not be practical for continuous landfill operations because of tank refill and operational limitations. Instead, the presenter recommended PAPRs with appropriate filters and proposed using existing departmental funds to buy the equipment if the commission agreed.
Emergency management also said FEMA had extended a deadline to December to submit receipts for the 2023 floods and reported receiving an initial FEMA check of one small payment. The office said it had applied for a mitigation grant to build retention ponds and had toured sites with state officials.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether the county's indemnity pool (USIP) and other insurers could assist with medical screening costs. The emergency manager recommended screening landfill workers for cancers on a periodic basis to detect occupational illnesses early.
No formal vote was recorded on procurement of PAPRs during the meeting; the emergency manager asked for commission approval to proceed with the purchase.
