Episode Overview

In this kickoff to a new mini-series on "First Calls," the team revisits a perplexing chemical incident involving a mysterious white cloud inside a chemical operations building. What starts as a routine product workup turns into an emergency response puzzle involving volatile chemical reactions, PPE decisions, and an operator who noped out mid-incident.

Through firsthand storytelling and expert banter, Steve, Randy, and Jeff dive deep into what happened, how they assessed the situation, and what they’d do differently in hindsight.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

(0:30 – 1:36) Introductions

Meet the hosts – experienced hazmat technicians and specialists from industrial backgrounds.

(1:36 – 2:54) Setting the Scene

Steve introduces the incident: a white cloud appears during a routine process, prompting ERT involvement.

(2:54 – 4:23) Initial Assessment & Suspect Chemicals

The team identifies chemicals involved – including chlorine, butyl lithium, THF, EVE, TFAA, and TEA – and starts evaluating possible reactions.

(4:23 – 6:12) Layout & Room Design

Details about the process room design – including reinforced walls and blowout sections – and its implications for containment and safety.

(6:12 – 9:02) Chemical Reactions & Smoke Source Theory

Randy provides insight into how TFAA and TEA may have reacted in a humid environment, creating an acid-base reaction and generating white smoke.

(9:02 – 11:13) Eyewitness Vanishes

A key operator flees the scene as the night shift arrives, leaving the ERT without firsthand information about what happened.

(11:13 – 13:13) Mitigation Strategy

Without a clear cause, the team decides to finish charging the remaining TFAA to remove a variable and stabilize the situation.

(13:13 – 16:19) PPE Selection & Suit Debate

A debate on Level A vs. Level B protection, and the real-world PPE used by operations vs. emergency response.

(16:19 – 20:23) Steve’s First Call – In the Hot Seat

Steve describes his PPE during this, his very first call, and how he was suited up in a hybrid setup of air jacket and waders.

(20:23 – 21:36) Final Observations & Discovery

After the smoke dissipates, the root cause is revealed: a leaky manway gasket venting vapors into the room.

(21:36 – 25:06) Hypothetical Entry & Decon Talk

The crew discusses how they’d handle an emergency entry: meters to bring (PID, pH paper, colorimetric tubes) and decon procedures (water vs. sodium bicarbonate).

(25:06 – 26:14) Communication Failures

A previous shift had noticed similar smoke events multiple times… and never reported it.

(26:14 – 28:32) Wrap-up & Teasers

Banters, jokes, and what’s coming next – fire extinguishing with chemicals!

Chemicals Discussed

• TFAA (Trifluoroacetic Anhydride) – Hygroscopic and highly reactive with water, produces acids.
• TEA (Triethylamine) – A strong base, highly reactive with acids.
• Butyl Lithium, THF, EVE – Additional hazardous players.
• Reaction Suspected: Acid-base interaction accelerated by humidity.