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RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT Ramsey County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | July 2012 4-43 Vulnerability Terrorism Frequency of Occurrence Unlikely Warning Time None - Minimal Geographic Extent Community-wide Potential Impact Negligible to Major Multijurisdictional Concerns All of the County is subject to events and therefore should be included in any prospective mitigation projects. Hazard Summary Although there have been no terrorism events in Ramsey County, multiple attacks in different areas of the United States remind us that terrorism is always a threat. Ramsey County officials work with state and federal officials on domestic preparedness efforts, the details of which go beyond the scope of this plan. The community should always remain vigilant to the threat of an attack, whether it is via explosives, agriculture, or a cyber-attack. 4.4.3 Hazardous Materials Spills Hazard Identification Historical data from Ramsey County and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows incidents involving hazardous materials spills in Ramsey County. Hazardous materials are substances that are harmful to the health and safety of people and property. Hazardous materials spills often occur along roadways, highways, and railways. Facilities that produce, process, or store hazardous materials are at risk, as are facilities that treat or dispose of hazardous waste. Ramsey County is required by the State of Minnesota to regulate generators of hazardous waste. Hazard Profile Hazardous materials spills occur occasionally within the County. In February 2007, the North Suburban Hazardous Materials Response Team (NSHM) responded to St. John the Baptist Church regarding a mercury spill. A custodian moving a box un-knowingly spread mercury throughout the school. Crews from the Fire Division and the NSHM screened 642 people for mercury contamination over the course of two days and screened over 500 bags the following two days for mercury contamination. As a result of the efforts of the school, county, state, and emergency personnel, contamination was contained to fewer than 10 residences and 11 percent of the people and bags20. The City of White Bear Lake experienced an Anhydrous Leak at the Kohler Mix (now KMS Dairy) plant in 2005. Many of the hazardous materials incidents in the County are a household gas or carbon monoxide leak. In the past five years, the Lake Johanna Fire Department responded to 200 hazmat calls for assistance, Vadnais Heights Fire Departments has responded to 21 incidents, and the New Brighton Fire Department, including the NSHM, has responded to 160 hazmat incidents. It should also be noted that anhydrous ammonia is used for refrigeration in the area. 20 http://www.ci.new-brighton.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={7CF82283-F08F-4C4D-849A- 298B91A6AF3E}