Hazardous Materials are substances or a combination of substances, which because of quantity, concentration or characteristics may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in death or serious injury or pose substantial hazards to humans or the environment. Hazardous Material incidents differ from other emergency situations because they are unpredictable and can cause long-term effects.
According to the State of California Office of Emergency Services, the most common release of Hazardous Material is the release of petroleum products, such as diesel fuel or gasoline. The most common release locations are fixed facilities, which involve 25% of all incidents. Frequently the release is due to abandonment or an intentional act.
The County of Marin has developed a comprehensive Hazardous Materials Area Plan. In addition, the County has adopted and maintains a Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program. These plans (maintained by the County of Marin CUPA
) are the source of specific information contained in this Threat Summary. The County of Marin Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program serves to provide information essential to fire fighters, health officials, planners, elected officials, and workers in meeting their responsibilities for the health and welfare of the community.
Emergency Response
The City of San Rafael participates in the Marin County Fire Chiefs Hazardous Materials Response Team. This team is created through a Joint Powers Agreement between all fire departments within Marin County. Members of the team come from each member department. In the event of a Hazardous Materials incident the response team may be activated, dependent upon the degree of hazard.
Highways and Roads
Hazardous Materials incidents in the City would most likely occur on the access roads along Highway 101 as well as on, Highways 1, 580, 37 and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. An incident involving a gasoline tanker truck is of greatest concern. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of gasoline are delivered to service stations in the City monthly.
Natural Gas High Pressure Transmission Lines
PG&E has two natural gas transmission lines traveling through San Rafael: 36-inch low-pressure line and a 16-inch high-pressure line.
Coast and Bay Waters
The coast and bay waters that surround the City of San Rafael are susceptible to an oil spill, due to the extensive number of tankers, freighters, marinas and recreational boaters. A Marin County Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been developed and is on file in the San Rafael Fire Department.