This is a bigger problem than most people realize. There are tanks and drums full of toxic, highly flammable, and explosive chemicals located all over communities of all sizes. Wherever there is industry, such chemicals are frequently present.
Unfortunately, fire departments are often not aware of what is being stored in shops, warehouses, and small manufacturing businesses. They should be, but often just don't know what's lucking behind roll-up doors everywhere.
My father was the fire chief in the small town i grew up in. It was a volunteer fire department. My Dad know a lot about a lot of things, but not everything about everything.
I went with him one time as an adult on an inspection of a small factory in that town. I was just along for the ride, really. After we left the building, I told him that I had noticed some chemical drums stored in the building. Lots of them. I noted the contents in my mind and was thinking about them as we toured the building. My dad was also an auto mechanic, and was familiar with some chemicals and their storage needs. This, building however, went way past his information.
So, I listed the chemicals I had noted in my mind and described what might happen if there were a fire in that building that led to the drums being emptied out together from the heat of a possible fire. The combinations of chemicals could have presented a lethal cloud in the area. I didn't remember the details now, but I knew the risks.
The little factory was right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It was surrounded by houses. Anyhow, I voiced my concerns. My Dad didn't know the dangers. He contacted the county fire department for a fresh inspection. They had professionals who could provide more information about the risks. All I had done was give him a clue to follow.
In the end, the factory was shut down. The chemicals were removed from the area and the business had to move to a different zoning area.
We don't know what's next door to us. We should.
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