Short First Day

A chemical spill sent Horton High students home early on their first day back and brought firefighters, paramedics and a Hazmat team to the Greenwich school.

Around 9:30 a.m. Sept. 3, “what we understand happened is some materials for the chemistry lab were delivered,” said Annapolis Valley Regional School Board superintendent Margo Tait. “There was a spillage or a leak in the hydrochloric acid package in the office area. “The spill was contained and the students were safely evacuated from the building,” Tait added. Approximately 1,000 high school students plus children from an onsite daycare were evacuated. Bus students were moved to the Old Orchard Inn for dismissal and students with cars were dismissed from the school parking lot.

There were no injuries and “no immediate threat to the student population,” AVRSB communications secretary Karen Sotvedt told The Kings County Advertiser. However, the school remained closed for the rest of the day for clean-up, reopening to staff at approximately 2 p.m. “The ventilation system was shut down when the spill was noticed and hazardous material team was in cleaning up,” Tait said. “When they determined the situation was safe they handed the building back to the principal.” The ventilation system will be run through the night as a precaution, she added.

Strong emergency response

Paul Maynard, spokesperson with the province’s Emergency Health Services, said EHS sent two ambulances, four paramedics, two supervisors and a disaster trailer to the scene. The trailer carries additional medical supplies “for significant events where there is a potential for a large number of patients.”

None of those extra supplies were needed, he noted. “We were fairly lucky. We assessed four patients with very minor exposure concerns. All four students were assessed by paramedics on scene and released to their parents.”

Greenwich firefighters were called first, followed by the Hazmat team. Tim McLeod, Wolfville Fire Chief, said the Kings County Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to the scene around 9:30 a.m. “Our Hazmat guys cleaned it up and turned it over to the school board,” he said.

Smooth evacuation

McLeod praised the school’s response to the emergency. “Staff and students did an excellent job. They were fully evacuated when we were onsite.” “Staff had just reviewed and practiced evacuation procedures the day before,” Tait said. “That was a very good thing, so the procedures were fresh in their minds and things went smoothly.”

Buses were recalled at approximately 10 a.m. and directed to pick up students in the Old O next door, allowing emergency vehicles better access to the school. While waiting in the parking lot, student Nick Alkenbrack said the fire alarm rang shortly after the acid spill and everyone left the building. Alkenbrack’s mother, Claire Mallin, was onsite to pick him up after receiving a call at work about the evacuation. “The Old O also provided washrooms for the students and meeting space for the teachers to debrief after the students departed,” Tait pointed out. “We are very grateful to have them as neighbours and thank them for their kindness.”

Tait also lauded the leadership of new principal Brad Stokes, formerly of Annapolis West Education Centre, who did a great job managing the emergency on his first school day.

Horton is a P3 school, operated and maintained by the Hardman Group. Tait said the company’s building manager worked with school officials throughout the day.

The school will open as usual Friday, Sept. 4. The school’s website says student belongings left behind during the evacuation will be secured, but may not be retrieved until school begins in the morning.