Post-fire communication uncoordinated

Two days after a fuel truck explosion sent plumes of choking smoke into the Spokane sky and oil into the city’s river, regional agencies charged with protecting air, water and public health were still coordinating basic communication.

Confusion has lingered since Monday over who should answer questions about pollution and safety, with agencies directing inquiries to each other – or not responding at all.

On Wednesday, a communication team headed by Jani Gilbert, spokeswoman for the state Department of Ecology, was arranged to field questions for that group, as well as the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and the Spokane Regional Health District.

“This is a normal emergency response,” Gilbert said, adding that it was created, in part, “to avoid confusing the public with erroneous information.”

The team also was set up to address problems in initial reaction to the Whitley Fuel LLC fire and spill in northeast Spokane, she acknowledged.

At the health district, for instance, no official was available Monday evening to discuss the potential effects on public health of huge plumes of billowing black smoke.

Cathy Cochrane, a district spokeswoman, said there was some confusion about which government agency should respond to questions. Dr. Larry Jecha, the district’s interim health officer, didn’t answer his cell phone until Tuesday morning.

Torney Smith, administrator for the district, said officials knew that the smoke wasn’t an acute danger and that vulnerable people should stay indoors. But, Cochrane acknowledged, no one from the health district was available to convey that point.

“I think that we have seen some ways to improve our next response,” Cochrane said. “I don’t think anyone does disaster perfectly. In this particular incident, it’s lesson learned.”

Spokane’s emergency disaster plans call for an incident commander to coordinate communication about a potential problem, said Dr. Jim Nania, director of the emergency department at Deaconess Medical Center and a member of the regional emergency planning group.

By that standard, the handling of Monday’s explosion, fire and spill went well, Nania said.

“I think that the fact that there was an evacuation showed that,” he said, adding later: “As near as I can tell, it was a remarkable response to contain the fire.”

But Nania acknowledged that having a designated official to communicate information to the public is necessary.

“If we were at our best, we’d have people who’d answer those questions,” he said.

On Tuesday, Cochrane said the clean air agency was responsible for dispensing information about the effects of air pollution. But Lisa Woodard, spokeswoman for the group, said that’s not their job.

“In terms of our mission, we monitor ambient air and report ambient air levels to the community,” she said, adding later: “If there’s a coordinating health message, we’ll put that out, but we aren’t health experts.”

Late Wednesday, all questions about the aftereffects of the explosion were referred to Gilbert.

“She’s the contact,” Cochrane said.

Gilbert provided several releases updating the public on the status of the Whitley Fuel cleanup, including evidence that more traces of oil and foam fire retardant had been discovered in the Spokane River.

Asked about the possible effects on swimmers, boaters and anglers, however, Gilbert said she couldn’t say.

“I can’t answer health questions,” she said, referring inquiries to the health district.

This time, Jecha was available by phone.

“If there’s any foam or sheen of oil in the river, you should stay away from it,” he said. “I’m sure it’s nothing you want in your body.”