by justin strawser
MANDATA - Line Mountain Jr./Sr. High School was evacuated and one teacher was treated for minor burns following a chemical spill inside a science classroom cabinet Wednesday morning.
"The response was quick. The procedures were followed and what was needed was taken care of. Everything fell into place," Steve Reiner, director of Northumberland County Department of Public Safety, said Wednesday.
A student standing outside the school said Dr. Shelley Herb-Fausey, who teaches physics and chemistry classes at the high school, was the teacher involved, but Superintendent Dave Campbell would not confirm a name.
Campbell said the teacher was first treated by the school nurse then examined by Dr. Edward Dempsey, Herndon. The teacher was taken home at approximately 11:50 a.m. by another faculty member.
Campbell and Reiner both provided details of the incident, which occurred at 9:30 a.m.
According to Campbell and Reiner, the teacher was retrieving a bottle of hydrochloric acid for a storage closet adjacent to a classroom where 11 students studied. The bottom came off and at least a gallon of acid spilled on her feet and the floor.
"She was preparing for a (science) lab. The bottom came off, it didn't shatter," Campbell said.
Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid often used in chemistry classes.
No student had any contact with the acid.
School officials were notified and approximately 585 students and 60 teachers, faculty and staff members were evacuated to the football stadium using fire drill procedures. The ventilation system was shut down and the building was placed on complete lockdown.
All events scheduled for Wednesday at the school were canceled.
Dalmatia and Hickory Corners fire companies arrived on scene to take control of the building. Traffic was not allowed to enter the school grounds.
Northumberland County's hazmat team and Reiner arrived at 10:30 a.m. and followed clear and detailed instructions and protocol, Campbell said.
Students, who were not allowed back into the school to retrieve keys or other personal items, were dismissed and the district's Alert Now system contacted parents, Campbell said.
Buses and student drivers began leaving the school at approximately 11:15 a.m.
There were 11 students plus two staff members who were evaluated by a hazmat team, but released at 11:05 a.m. to board their buses.
Parents wait, worry
Near the school, in the parking lot of Modern Reflections by Angela and Randy Phillips Constructions, Paul O'Brien was trying to contact his son, the school or anyone with more information.
The Dalmatia man's son, Shawn O'Brien, a 17-year-old senior, was not answering his phone.
"I'm not worried. I know he's OK. None of the students were hurt," he said, noting he had heard from a relative that his son was fine.
Later, the younger O'Brien was dropped off in the parking lot by friends, but didn't want to comment.
Another parent, Rebecca Lenig, was emotional as she talked about her 3-year-old daughter, Kylie, who was in pre-school at the building.
"I heard on the radio, and I did 70 (mph) trying to get here," she said.
If she was loaded on a bus, her sister was at home to pick the child up, but Lenig didn't know if her toddler was safe. She left a few minutes later from the parking lot.
Seniors Alexis Glosek, 17, of Hunter Station and Taylor Shepley, 17, of Pillow, were both in the school at the time of the incident, and said they were impressed with the efficiency of the evacuation.
"I wanted everyone to be safe. Everything was under control," Glosek said.
Glosek was on the other side of the school in physical education class, but Shepley was in an adjacent classroom in the science wing. When Shepley heard what was happening, he went to check on Herb-Fausey and the class.
"I heard the teacher yell "Call the nurse, call the nurse.' She was already washing when I came in," he said.
Thankfully, Glosek said, "she (the teacher) knew what she was doing."
Shepley agreed. "That stuff can eat through your clothes and skin," he said.
Because he entered the classroom, Shepley was one of the students who had to be evaluated by hazmat.
"We didn't have to hose down," he said. "They said if I feel light headed or have blurry vision, to go the hospital."
School today?
At 3 p.m., Campbell said the hazmat team was finished. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends an additional party to evaluate the clean up and give a second clearance of safety.
Northridge Environmental, Northumberland, was called in to review the building, and they will dispose of the clothing and objects in the closet affected by the spill.
The school received an "all clear" from all agencies Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell said school will be in session with no delays today.
Since many students and faculty had to leave without their cell phones, notifications will also be sent out via land-line phones and e-mails.
The school day will not have to be made up, Campbell said.
He said the emergency responders, which included Dalmatia, Hickory Corners, Pillow, Herndon, Americus Hose and a hazmat unit from Shamokin, were well-organized and outstanding.