County advisory committee hears landfill fire-safety briefing as neighbors press for better after-hours detection

Summary

Republic Services staff described current fire-prevention protocols at the Coffin Butte landfill and said staff and equipment are the primary defenses; community members and a county commenter said after-hours fires were reported by motorists and called for independent review and improved monitoring.

Republic Services representatives told the Benton County Disposal Site Advisory Committee on Sept. 11 that staff training, daily cover and on-site equipment are the landfill's primary defenses against working-face fires, while residents and community members urged the committee to press the operator and the county for stronger after-hours detection and independent review.

Brett Davis, public services general manager for Western Oregon, said Republic maintains annual training and on-site resources and aims to keep the working phase small. "We take safety of the landfill very seriously. First and foremost, how we handle and deal with fires is with our people. They're our best asset," Davis said during the presentation. He described a designated "hot loads" area where suspected smoldering loads can be dumped and smothered, and noted a 4,000-gallon water…

County advisory committee hears landfill fire-safety briefing as neighbors press for better after-hours detection

Summary

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