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the event of extensive surface water and soil contamination. However, if contaminated soil is <br />removed quickly, ground water sampling may not be necessary, Soil samples collected from <br />areas of run-off and nearby stream beds may be useful in determining the extent of <br />contamination, what contaminanu may have entLred the ground water and air, and whether <br />clean-up and disposal of the soil is necessary. Samplc collection locations and the frequency <br />of sample collection should be deurmined on asite-specific basis. <br />Chemical detection in different media and azsuring the health and safety of workers and nearby <br />residents are major challenges during a tine fire incident; however, often the greater challenge <br />is effectively communicating with the media and the citizens about the potential risks of the <br />situation. Open and honest communication must start immediately. ]3e prepared to answer <br />who, what, where, when and how questions the press will have. Keep the information simple <br />and concise. In terms of communicating with the public, one of the best methods to control <br />their "outrage" is by involving them in the decision process from the beginning and <br />communicating with them regularly through fact sheets or other methods. <br />The environmental health risks from a fire fire are both significant and controllable. The risks <br />can be controlled using proper sampling and analyses to identify and quantify the chemicals, <br />wearing the correct personal protective equipment, and effectively communicating the risk to <br />the media and the public. The best method to minimize environmental health risks is by <br />planning ahead. <br />~i~ <br />