Wednesday, October 18, 2000
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Wednesday, October 18, 2000 |
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team reduces industry risk, receives kudos
By DAVE
HAMRICK
Fayette County's program to reduce the dangers from hazardous chemicals is a model that other public safety agencies are studying and emulating. County commissioners and a state official last week presented special recognition to all of the people who make the program successful, particularly Capt. Pete Nelms of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, who heads up the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Resource Council. "I'm thrilled to see them getting the local recognition," said Kent Howell, chemical risk management program manager for the state Environmental Protection Division. When Fayette safety officials first organized the program as a cooperative effort of all local agencies as well as private industries, Howell said he was skeptical. "I didn't think that they or anyone else would be able to accomplish what they were setting out to do," he said. But the program not only accomplished its mission, but "is used as a model for other communities in Georgia and other areas of the country," he added. Commissioners presented a declaration of appreciation to the committee. In accepting the commendation, committee Chairman Nelms praised the 40 industries and organizations that comprise the committee. The committee maintains relationships between safety agencies and industries to prepare for industrial accidents and coordinates responses to those accidents. In a recent case, Nelms said, a hazardous chemical was spilled, but because they had prepared and had adequate information, emergency workers quickly contained the spill. "It could have been a significant leak otherwise," he said. During their business meeting last week, commissioners also gave special recognition to Wal-Mart for its support of the County Animal Shelter. Shelter director Bill Newman thanked the store for providing food for animals at the shelter for the last 15 years. "They've provided about four tons of food each year, amounting to tens of thousands of savings to the taxpayers of Fayette County," he said. Commissioners presented a plaque to Nancy McAvoy, support manager for Wal-Mart.
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