| What’s not so clear is the Army’s process of verification and notification of such an incident, or whether the facility’s overall monitoring system is sophisticated as it needs to be, given the dangers inherent in the handling of GB, or Sarin, one of the deadliest substances known to man. According to a timeline provided by the Army, one of the facility’s highly sensitive alarms indicated a possible agent leak at 4:39 p.m. About three hours later the Anniston Army Depot’s emergency operations center was notified. An hour after that, Calhoun County’s Emergency Management Agency was apprised of the event. That’s four hours from alarm to notification to the public at-large. That’s too long. Being told that such delayed notification falls within the facility’s environmental permit does not make anyone rest easier. A more rapid notification system is preferable, especially if the Army hopes to maintain public confidence in its operation of the facility. As for the incinerator’s monitoring system, no one is disputing its effectiveness. However, the monitors are ultra sensitive, and can be set off by anything from roofing glue to a woman’s cologne. Outside observers have a point when they suggest other technologies might help workers more quickly assess the source of an alarm. Of course new technologies are costly, and there’s no indication that the Army is willing to spend money on them. Even without new technology it’s reasonable to ask facility operators to work on condensing the four-hour lag time in reporting a potential leak to the local EMA, even if it doesn’t actually leave the facility. It doesn’t matter what the permit says; the general public’s peace of mind can’t be regulated or eased by a piece of paper. |
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