EPA to Take Lead of Emergency Response at Smitty’s Supply Fire in Roseland
Roseland, LA — With first responders continuing to fight the fire at the Smitty’s Supply Inc. site, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will serve as the lead agency on-scene. Previously, the responsible party (Smitty’s), was coordinating these efforts. To support these current operations, EPA is mobilizing Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors to coordinate response efforts and continue operations seamlessly during the transition.
EPA plans contain any remaining onsite hazardous materials and recover unburned material from the facility in ditches, ponds, and the Tangipahoa River. The recovered materials will be transported and disposed of in an EPA-approved facility.
“EPA understands that no single agency can tackle a response like this, and we provided support as soon as the State of Louisiana requested it,” said EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “We are stepping in to lead the effort now at the state’s request to ensure that the work is completed quickly so the community can get back on its feet as soon as possible.”
Within hours of the notification, EPA deployed an EPA on-scene coordinator and technical assistance contractor (START) personnel to the response command post in Roseland to conduct community air monitoring and document the facility’s efforts to secure the release. Currently there are 18 EPA employees and contractor staff supporting this effort, including 10 onsite. EPA is in the process of increasing the number of mobilized personnel.
EPA will continue to work closely with the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Tangipahoa Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the National Weather Service (NWS), and other local, state, and federal agencies.
EPA will continue to provide updates on the response effort. Additional information about the response is available at https://response.epa.gov/SmittysSupplyFire.
For media inquiries or further questions, please contact:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Ed Mekeel, Public Information Officer Email- mekeel.edward@epa.gov and R6Press@epa.gov.