Breakout Session - Unified Command Really Works!-Sunoco Refinery Explosion and Fire-May 17, 2009

Instructors:  Dave Carpenter, New Castle County OEM, Chief Bill Kelly, Sunoco Refinery, and Chief Mark Harris, Claymont Fire Company

On Sunday, May 17th at 10:15 pm, an explosion and fire occurred at the Sunoco Refinery in Marcus Hook in the Ethylene Complex. The explosion was heard and felt up to 7 miles away and was initially reported to 911 in Delaware County, PA by residents. The Ethylene unit resides in DE. The unified response and command and actions by the initial responders from Sunoco, Claymont, DE Fire Company and Marcus Hook-Trainor FD, PA were outstanding and commended by Delaware Gov. Markell in reducing any further impact from the incident. Several strengths were recognized in the response, along with after action improvements in media coordination and liaison integration.