Donetsk, Oct 25 – DAN. DPR first responders have drilled tackling an ammonia outbreak emergency and evacuating residents of affected areas. The maneuvers were performed on the premises of an ice-cream producing enterprise Vinterprom in Donetsk.
Firefighters treated the drill as a real emergency in which ammonia shipping facility had collapsed during maintenance and the gas leaked into the atmosphere. The operator sounded an alarm prompting staff evacuation and called emergency response teams. According to the exercise script, three people were unable to leave the premises on their own and remained on site.
"We are carrying out the drill on the premises of an ice-cream producing enterprise Vinterprom, where about 10 tons of ammonia are stored. It is hazardous both in liquid and gaseous state. The main task is to rescue people and exercising coordination of actions with enterprise's head staff," deputy head of Emergencies Ministry Dmitry Zakharov told reporters.
The first responders have successfully evacuated mannequins playing the role of 'injured workers' and 'sent them to hospitals'. Dressed in chemical suits they approached the leaking reservoir using water wall and contained the leak sealing it off within 15 minutes. Overall, 57 firefighters and 15 pieces of equipment were engaged.
"The result is estimated as satisfying, the tasks have been completed."
Ammonia is used at industrial enterprises and in trade. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Skin or eye contact with concentrated ammonia can also cause irritation and burns. *ot