“Our emergency services partners were stellar in taking steps to keep our patients and staff safe,” said Lesley Ogden, MD, CEO of Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. “I’m relieved to know that we do not have hazardous materials at our job site or our new hospital, and so pleased at the quick response by all involved.”
Out of caution, a Code Orange (hazardous materials spill) was called at the hospital at about 2:15 p.m. to alert staff to avoid the old hospital demolition zone.
A hazardous materials team from Salem arrived at the hospital at approximately 2:30 p.m. to begin searching for potential radioactive materials in the demolition zone and assess for safety in the hospital building. The team declared the perimeter of the demolition zone “clear,” with no detectable radiation, and they proceeded into the interior of the demolition zone which was also found to be clear. At about 3:45 p.m., an all-clear was announced to conclude the Code Orange
Meanwhile, teams were attempting to locate the source of radiation inside the truck being held at the Coffin Butte Landfill.