HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT IN POCOMOKE SENDS SEVERAL PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL

The Worcester County Special Hazards Response Team responded to a chemical emergency in Pocomoke City, Maryland on Thursday afternoon.

At 12:04 PM, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company and the Pocomoke City EMS Departments were dispatched to RICCA Chemical Company, which is located at 1841 Broad Street in Pocomoke, Maryland for a reported chemical emergency with one known victim. 

Shortly after dispatch, the Worcester County Special Hazards Team, led by the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office, was requested to respond.

Upon arrival of Pocomoke City units, it was confirmed there was one priority patient who had been exposed to Iodine Monochloride. 

It was then learned there were two other victims, an additional employee and a first responder, who encountered the first patient during treatment. 

Initial efforts were to confirm all chemicals involved and identify proper decontamination procedures to treat the patients before they were transported to a nearby hospital.

Iodine monochloride to some extent reacts with water to produce an acidic gas. 

All of the victims at the scene reported respiratory irritation and were decontaminated at the scene before being transported to Tidal Health Hospital in Salisbury, Maryland for further evaluation and treatment.

Hazmat team members made entry in fully encapsulated chemical-resistant suits into the facility to document and render the scene safe before cleanup operations could commence.

The situation was brought under control and turned back over to RICCA Chemical Company staff at 3:45 PM.

Pocomoke City was assisted by Stockton, Snow Hill, Girdletree, Oak Hall and Greenbackville fire and EMS companies. Hazardous materials technicians from the Ocean City Fire Marshal's Office and the Worcester County Department of Emergency Services also responded to the scene.

In addition, a short time later, TidalHealth treated a total of 10 patients for exposure.  There has been no official statement on who came in contact but it is believed a majority of those individuals were first responders, assisting the patients with transport and care.