8/31/2011 Queens HazMat Box 9302

[firebuffkevin]

HARPER ST at NORTHERN BLVD W SVC RD

Around 09:20

Overturned tractor trailer leaking fuel on the southbound entrance ramp to the Van Wyck Expressway (678).  This is near the Grace Asphalt Plant and the NYC Highway Dept. Gararge, not far from CitiField.

B 52 requests EMS for the driver of the rig.

B 52 requests HazMat 1

HazMat 1, E 274 HazTech and HM Batallion are assigned

B 52  we are using 3 and 2 and awaiting the HazMat team. This rig is a gravel transport unit.  Two saddle tanks leaking fuel. We are roping off the area

B 52  Fuel has been removed.  Haz Mat units are taking up.  E 273 and L 129 will remain on scene until the gravel truck is uprighted.

 

[memory master]

They still whip off of Northern Blvd onto that ramp, which as you may or not know, goes uphill and on a sharp curve. Just proves once again that common sense is not common.

 

[firebuffkevin]

Know it well.  Know it before the Van Wyck was constructed,  now that is dating myself

 

[memory master]

Know it well.  Know it before the Van Wyck was constructed,  now that is dating myself

Oh, you mean when the Northern Blvd. bridge was a draw bridge (as was the Whitestone Pkwy bridge) and there was a large lumber yard on the south side of Northern on the Corona side of Northern Blvd.? We are both dated!

 

[68jk09]

Many overturns on this ramp thru the years.....the location should be clarified during an ongoing operation (not just on Harper St but also on any small street of 1 or 2 blocks).......the majority of special units responding to a major event might not be familiar w/the 1 block intersection such as Harper St however changing it to something for example like on Northern Blvd  coming off the Van Wyck on Harper St would gear the Units into the more well known intersection...to repeat an insignificant cross street over & over during progress reports & transmission of higher alarms seems to result in constant requests for clarification of a better known location......giving the 2 nearest major cross streets would get the Units into the area w/less confusion...JMO.

 

[memory master]

Chief, you are 100% correct. Unless you know where Harper street is and how to access it, you are out of luck. The same goes for many streets in Queens, i.e. Boker Court, Beech Court and on and on and on. If it's not in the company's response area it's going to be tough.