Chemical plant in Riverview, Michigan: report is of a methyl mercaptan release which ignited engulfing a tank car. The fire damage has also caused failure to transfer hoses on an adjacent tank car resulting in a chlorine release. Three fatalities are reported along with several other injuries, most of which are inhalation injuries. Approximately 2000 residents have been evacuated from their homes for 10 hour duration.

• Local authority or DOT-PHMSA notifies fusion center staff


• Fusion center staff contacts the Incident Command or Unified Command responsible for managing the response for approval of RIST presence


• Fusion center staff begins the process of selecting the appropriate number of RIST members available to respond


• Fusion center staff will make any flight arrangements, hotel accommodations or vehicle rental reservations necessary


• Selected RIST members assemble and report to local Incident/Unified Command Post for a briefing.


• RIST leaders assign tasks. For example: in this particular incident RIST will want to collect data according to the NHMFC SoW from the following:
  • Jurisdictional authorities; law enforcement, fire, EMS, health and environment agencies, plant employees, rail/train operator. Any other agency who participated in the emergency response
  • RIST members must explain our purpose clearly each time an individual/agency is approached for information and should defer any public media questions to the designated Public Affairs/Information Officer


• Fusion center staff may request a meeting with RIST members on location for and after action report


• RIST members will meet upon completion of survey and begin there porting process


• RIST leaders will submit reports to fusion center staff for review, analysis and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices