Incident Report

Kern County Fire Department
costco2
Freeborn-Andrew-Flag-Hat

Andrew Freeborn

Costco Incident
DATE: September 8, 2022
TIME: 12:08

Incident Number

2243614

Incident tYPE

Hazardous Material
Location: 3800 Rosedale Hwy
Closest Community: Bakersfield
Cause: Undetermined

Incident Narrative

Thursday, just after 12 noon, Kern County firefighters were dispatched to a reported chemical leak at 3800 Rosedale Highway. The facility with the reported emergency was a Costco Wholesale. Upon arrival, firefighters found that evacuations were already underway as per Costco safety protocols. Costco management on scene explained that a refrigerant leak alarm had gone off, senior Costco management personnel had investigated, confirmed an active leak of an unknown chemical, and began evacuations. Firefighters started to assist, and within approximately 20 minutes from the start of evacuations, 109 employees and an estimated 450 customers were safely evacuated without incident.

 

Kern County firefighters, trained as Hazardous Materials team members, developed a plan to safely make entry into the hazardous area and identify the source of the leak. While using a live video feed, firefighters wearing self contained breathing apparatus found the leak and were directed by Branden Lowrie, a Journeyman Refrigeration Technician with A&J Refrigeration, through the proper steps to safely stop the leak. Once the leak was stopped, fans were setup to ventilate the area. When air monitors confirmed a hazardous atmosphere no longer existed the facility was turned back over to Costco personnel.

Injuries/Fatalities

Injuries: 0
Fatalities: 0

Property Lost/Saved

Estimated Value LOSS: $0
Estimated Value SAVED: $0

KCFD Equipment Assigned

Engines: E61, E64, E65, E66
Patrols: P66
Trucks: _None
Specialty Equipment: BS66, HM66, B6, KPIO, SF6

Total Personnel

25

Assisting Agencies

Kern County Environmental Health

On Call Fire Information Officer

Phone: 661-330-0133

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