At 4:35 am on Thursday, February 13, 2020, the Chestertown VFC was dispatched to 300 Washington Avenue, at the Washington College Dining Hall, for a reported Gas Leak. We responded with an Engine Company and Rescue Company.

Because of the weather conditions... cold, damp and rainy with only a slight breeze, the odor of propane outside around the building was prevalent. It should be noted that, by necessity, the odorant added to liquified petroleum gas (propane) is "extremely" strong. A very small amount goes a long way. Upon arrival, crews ascertained one of three underground propane storage tanks had a leak at the container relief valve. It was determined the leak was not very large and posed no threat to public safety. The college's propane supplier, Tri Gas & Oil, was requested to respond to the scene.

As a precaution, during the interim, a crew from our engine company used a gas meter to clear Hodson Hall (the dining hall) and the kitchen. No readings were picked up inside. Additionally? Because propane vapor is heavier then air and collects in low places, i.e., would run downhill, the crew also screened the side parking lot of the Casey Academic Building, located down the hill from the leak. There were zero readings at this location as well. Because there was no threat to public safety, and given the hour of the day, Washington College Public Safety agreed to stand guard at the scene until the arrival of Tri Gas & Oil.

Subsequently? At 6:23 am, we were again dispatched to Hodson Hall, this time for the odor of gas inside the building. Upon arrival, we were informed that a faint odor of propane was detected in the building. As part of our investigation, we again cleared the building with our gas meter. Zero readings were monitored. It was also ascertained the rear overhead door of the kitchen, basically just around the corner from the the culprit tank, had been opened. As previously stated, the "smell" of propane was present in the area. The smell had migrated into the building through this open door, triggering the second concern and subsequent request for service. We cleared with no action taken.

At approximately 9:20 am, Washington College officials contacted the county dispatch center, requesting the Chestertown VFC respond back to Hodson Hall in order to clear the structure for safe occupancy. As this was not technically an "emergency", the county dispatch center privately contacted Chestertown VFC Deputy Chief James Russum, who had been the Incident Commander on the two previous calls for service, to see how best to handle the request. Deputy Chief Russum advised county dispatch not to dispatch the call. He would respond to the college with a gas meter in order to clear the building.

Side Bar Story: Because of the uncertain situation and the inevitable disruption of propane service to the college kitchen, college officials made the decision there would be no hot breakfast this day. Arrangements were made to provide a cold breakfast to students, faculty and staff at a different building on campus.

Additional Incident;

At 10:16 pm on Friday, February 14, 2020, we were dispatched to the Washington College Dining Hall in the 300 block of Washington Avenue for the Odor of Propane inside the building. We responded with an Engine Company and Truck Company (Tower Ladder).

Upon arrival, there was an odor of propane inside the structure. We cleared the building with a gas meter and got zero readings. Upon further investigation, we ascertained there was a problem with the underground propane tank which had been the source of previous trouble. This time, the container fill connection was leaking, allowing vapor to be discharged into the air. The odor had migrated inside the structure where it was noticed.

Tri Gas & Oil, the college's propane supplier, was requested to respond. With no threat to public safety, responsibility for the situation was turned over to Washington College officials and the representative from Tri Gas & Oil.