Industries encouraged to plan for accident response

MARK FLEMING

Updated: 09.22.09
The state of Texas and the Coast Guard are encouraging industries to plan ahead for what role, if any, volunteers may play in responding to industrial or ecological accidents involving their facilities.

Maren Harding, an oil spill response officer for the Texas General Land Office, told the Southeast Regional Local Emergency Response Committee the request was driven by a California oil spill in which people volunteering to assist in the cleanup instead became a hindrance in the effort.

Speaking at the group’s Monday meeting, she said planning in advance of catastrophic events is the only way to effectively use available resources and prevent problems.

David Gray, of the group’s Emergency Warning System committee, said they are working with the Pasadena Municipal Channel to produce a public information segment about notifications in instances of industrial accidents.

The Southeast Regional Local Emergency Response Committee brings citizens, industry and local government together to plan for and coordinate responses to chemical emergencies.

It includes the cities of Pasadena, El Lago, Seabrook and Taylor Lake Village.