Chlorine Leak Requires Special Operations Team Response

On Friday evening at approximately 8:30PM, Westchester County’s all-volunteer Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to a chlorine leak at what’s known as the “Shaft 18” water treatment plant near the Kensico Dam in Valhalla. Once notified, the Team responded as a mutual aid response with the Valhalla Fire Department and an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The leak, apparently cause by either a failed pipe or fitting, was back in service about 24 hours after the initial chlorine leak forced its shutdown.

A master stream from a Valhalla FD engine is applied to a
door of the facility. Security issues prohibit more
detailed photos.

While the cause of the leak remains unknown, officials have narrowed the failure to one section of a pipe in “Shaft 18”. Entry was attempted by the Hazardous Materials Response Team and DEP personnel in level B response suits to get readings and evaluate the damage. As the responders got close to the building, their readings were found to be at such a high concentration, the entry team was forced to withdraw and change into level A response suits. This change of suits would allow them entry into the hazardous atmosphere to do their assessment. While the readings were extremely high, the chlorine spill was contained inside the building and the public was never at risk to exposure.

According to DEP representatives, chlorination operations were resumed to normal operations shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday. Crews spent much of Saturday replacing equipment, as well as alarm sensors, which became damaged because of the leak. After testing all of the plant’s systems, and everything was certified, the systems were put back on line. 

ABG asked if this plant was even necessary after the new RV Water Treatment Plant on Walker Road was put on line. The explanation was that most of the water is treated at the new plant but still requires final treatment with chlorine beyond just the UV treatment. As such, the Shaft 18 facility is still required for water treatment but used in a more reduced capacity than before. The plants process drinking water for a variety of communities in Westchester, as well as for most of New York City’s clean water supply. But officials said that the leak did not affect water service, and that there was never a threat to public safety.

Other water treatment plants in the Westchester water purification system increased their chlorination operations of water during the Valhalla facility’s shutdown. Water going to New York City was chlorinated at a separate, alternate site farther down the water-line system. Residents may have smelled a slight bleach-like odor on Saturday as the facility was being aired out.

The Valhalla FD and the County’s Special Operation’s Response Teams encompasses Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue response professionals from many walks of life. Their dedication, training, and responses help to keep everyone’s taxes low and safety at an all-time high level.

St Baldwick’s Cuts It Close

Banner in front of the Valhalla Fire Company #1

On a beautiful end-of-summer Sunday morning, the last thing any family wants to think about beyond that final summer barbecue, starting school, and working around the yard is cancer. Those six letters, that one word used to automatically be a death sentence. Not any more. Cancer screenings and cancer treatments have progressed tremendously. In part, the St Baldwick’s Cancer Research Foundation has played a big part in that.

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events began as a challenge between businessmen and have grown from one event in 2000 to over 1,300 events in 2012, raising critical funds for childhood cancer research. Events take place in pubs, restaurants, schools, churches, parks, malls, military bases, firehouses and any other place you can imagine.

Event Coordinator Kristine DeRezis, far left, addresses the crowd before
the Riguzzi family gets their heads shaved. Second from left is cancer
survivor 12 year old Joey. His Mom is the second from the right with blue
hair and “Patriots” written on her forehead. 

The Valhalla Fire Department, along with numerous other area fire departments has hosted a head shaving event for four years now, with this year’s event raising a “pre”-event amount of $20,000. The goal today was to raise a mere $1,000. In fact, one woman we spoke with, Sandy Riguzzi, had a friend from Boston pledge $1,000 for her to shave her head. Not to be outdone, the friend’s husband pledged $1000 and 1 if she would dye her hair (Boston Patriots) blue and write Patriots on her forehead –which she did. She insisted on telling us that even though she dyed her hair blue and wrote patriots on her forehead, she is a diehard NY Jets fan! She is shaving her head to support her son Joey, age 12 who  has Downs Syndrome and is a cancer survivor as well. The family has raised $7,000 for today’s event.

Maddie Manfredi, 12, sings the National Anthem.

Maddie Manfredi, 12 years old, sang the Star Spangled Banner national anthem a capella before a crowd of about one hundred people. She was spot-on and would give many contestants on American Idol or America’s Got Talent a run for their money. The crowd erupted with loud applause when she finished. Someday we may be paying to hear her sing!

It would be terrific if we didn’t need an organization like St Baldwick’s; but until we can find a cure for cancer, its great to know there are so many volunteers willing to make the effort to help such a small portion of society. And after the laughter of seeing our friends with shaved heads passes, its also nice to know that they too are willing to help with this simple, and yet impactful gesture. Thanks to everyone for helping out.