Western Salisbury Fire Department was dispatched for a “spill” at the Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest campus about 9:30 p.m. May 22. Such calls are usually routine and indicate that anti-freeze or other fluids are leaking from a vehicle after a fender-bender.

What WSFD Chief Joshua Wells found, as the first responder to arrive at the campus, was definitely not routine.

Hospital staffers caught in the midst of the spill inside the lobby and hallway at the main entrance to the hospital, were complaining of respiratory and eye distress and Wells quickly realized the call was more than routine.

Immediately calling for help from Lower Macungie Fire Department and a “full response” from Eastern Salisbury Fire Department, Wells asked the 911 Center to call out the Lehigh County Special Operations Team, which has specialized equipment and personnel trained in hazardous material response incidents, and for the dispatch of several EMS units from Cetronia Ambulance Corps and Emmaus and Macungie Ambulance Corps. ESFD fire police closed the roadway leading to the hospital main entrance. Fortunately, visiting hours had ended previous to the problem and no visiting family members appeared to be involved.

Wells ordered all firefighters entering the structure to use self-contained-breathing-apparatus and a “hot zone” exclusion area was established and cordoned off. Firefighters helped establish a safety corridor to shield anyone from further exposure. The irritating substance turned out to be a spilled cleaning agent.

ESFD firefighters set up a makeshift decontamination area and several hospital staffers got a full wash down as part of mandatory hazardous material response protocols. Ambulance crews gave the soaked staffers blankets and determined if anyone needed further treatment in the hospital emergency room.

Hazmat technicians suited up in full decon safety gear to enter the hot zone to determine the extent of the problem area, then to begin the cleanup process. Cleanup material was sealed in containers for safe disposal and the technicians went through a water shower and a soap and water cleansing. Firefighters leaving the structure to replenish air tanks were hosed down just outside the entryway.

Macungie Ambulance Corps personnel set up a rehab area to check firefighters’ vital signs and provide hydration and energy bars.

Hospital officials said operations of the hospital remained normal throughout the incident, with the exception of the main entrance being closed as a precaution. There were no injuries but a couple of staff were checked out as a precaution, the hospital’s media department said.

With a news helicopter hovering overhead, and onlookers gathered at a safe distance on nearby parking decks, it was certainly not a routine fire department call, but Wells said he was pleased with the response. “Everyone performed as they were trained to do and we got through the incident with no injuries and with minimal disruption to hospital operations.”

The final first responder units cleared the scene shortly before midnight.