Oneida Health reopens after Hazmat incident
ONEIDA, N.Y. — Emergency personnel addressed a hazardous materials incident at Oneida Health Tuesday morning and have restored access to the hospital after securing the area.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, officials said hospital staff were alerted to a mechanical safety alarm initiated on an oxygen storage tank in the rear hospital employee parking lot. The alarm indicated high pressure within one of the tanks and performed as intended by releasing excess oxygen into the air to decrease the pressure safely.
Oneida health staff then alerted the Oneida Fire Department and Oneida City Police of the event. As a safety precaution, the Oneida Fire Department put the campus on lockdown for approximately 30 minutes while emergency personnel assessed the incident.
"At no time was the safety of our patients, residents, visitors, or staff in jeopardy," Oneida Health CEO Felissa Koernig said.
The area was secured and full access to Oneida Health was restored by 10:48 a.m. The hospital campus is now reopened. The west parking area will remain closed for the time being.
"This morning, the Oneida Fire and Police Departments, along with Madison County Emergency Management, responded to a report of a large leaking oxygen tank on the Oneida Hospital campus. As a precaution, the campus was temporarily shut down while the situation and equipment were assessed for potential hazards," the city fire and police departments said in a joint statement.
"Fortunately, Oneida Healthcare and the respective service providers have effectively managed the situation, and all hazards are now under control. There is currently no immediate threat to safety at Oneida Hospital, which remains open and operating normally," they continued.
Koernig said hospital staff will work closely with the oxygen storage vendor to determine the cause. The Oneida Fire Department and Oneida City Police will secure their rear employee parking lot as a safety measure.
"All Oneida Health services remain open and are ready to serve the community," she said.
