An example of why pre-planning and effective communication is so important

The caller requested an ambulance but told dispatchers that he was not allowed to give specific information. For the first six hours, firefighters did not know that the plant fire involved burning pesticides and that 80 feet from the involved structure was a tank containing more than 13,000 pounds of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC), the same poison that killed thousands in Bhopal, India on December 2, 1984.

Due to the lack of communication, firefighters were injured, and the potential release of the MIC could have killed or injured many more. It is important to note that in this incident, the facility refused to provide critical information to emergency responders due to a mistaken belief about chemical security.

Pre-planning contacts with facility managers should clarify that the facility must not withhold hazard information and stress that facilities may be prosecuted for withholding information from emergency responders.