Pubdate: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Tom Wilemon, The Sun Herald Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n297/a09.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?203 (Terrorism) LEAK SHOWS VULNERABILITY OF CHEMICAL SITES GULFPORT - If someone stealing anhydrous ammonia can inadvertently release the potentially deadly substance, what damage could a terrorist cause? Before daylight Sunday, while the nation was at an "orange alert," someone walked up to a Gulfport storage tank and opened the valve, releasing a toxic cloud. Had someone been bent on terrorism, serious casualties, even deaths, could have occurred. But despite the scare, no coordinated meetings between emergency response or law enforcement agencies have been called to discuss ways to improve security around chemical tanks or to identify other vulnerabilities. Harrison County officials said they will take cues from the Gulfport Police and Fire departments once the agencies complete their investigation. When Gulfport files an incident report with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the report will be shared with authorities in the state's other 81 counties. "We would hope that the local law enforcement and managers would take this lesson and learn from it and also share it with surrounding cities and counties," said MEMA spokeswoman Amy Carruth. The Harrison County Local Emergency Planning Committee should review the incident, she said. However, the committee has no such plans, according to its chairman. "No sir, we wouldn't meet to discuss that situation. It's in the city of Gulfport," said Harrison County Fire Services Director George Mixon, the committee's chairman. The committee serves as an information depository for data on hazardous chemicals and usually meets only twice a year, he said. Any reports from the Gulfport Fire Department would probably be shared with the committee, he said. "Any time anything like this happens, it raises your awareness," said Harrison County Sheriff George Payne Jr. Anhydrous ammonia, which is a refrigerant, can also be used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. Biloxi Police Chief Bruce Dunagan said there have been three to four thefts at seafood plants in the past year. There is no requirement for businesses with the outside tanks to erect fences or install locks. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D