Press Release from Gov. Rell: We received the following press release from Gov. Rell’s office this afternoon at 3:45 p.m.:

Governor Rell Assembles Experts to Review Cause of Middletown Blast, State Safety Codes

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is assembling a panel of state agencies - to be chaired by Senior U.S. District Judge Alan H. Nevas - to identify the cause and origin of the Kleen Energy power plant explosion in Middletown on Sunday, including any potential contributing factors such as construction problems, worker safety issues and licensing or permitting matters.

Governor Rell said she is forming a second group of state agencies, local officials and subject-matter experts to review the disaster and the findings of the Nevas-led panel and other investigations. The second panel will determine whether any changes should be made to Connecticut laws, state and local regulations or building and fire codes to protect both workers and residents living in the areas surrounding construction projects.

“The explosion in Middletown not only shattered the peace of a quiet Sunday morning, it led to the tragic loss of five valuable lives and devastated their families,” Governor Rell said. “There are so many unanswered questions: What led to this disaster? What were the contributing factors? Could anything have been done to prevent it? These are the questions that we must answer now, not only for the sake of the victims and their families but to avoid tragedies like this in the future.

“Our response to the Middletown explosion must follow two distinct but critical paths,” the Governor said. “We must first identify what went wrong and then determine every measure we can take to prevent future catastrophes. The reviews must be thorough, impartial and swift. And if there are concrete steps we can take in the meantime, we must be equally swift in putting those new measures into place.”

Governor Rell said the Nevas panel will include representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor, the Connecticut State Police (including the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of the State Building Inspector), the Department of Consumer Protection and the Department of Public Utility Control.

The group will examine issues such as whether all necessary permits were obtained, whether there was sufficient on-site supervision at the time of the explosion, whether all applicable labor laws were followed, whether all safety measures were followed, whether all employees were properly licensed and trained and whether fire and building code provisions were followed.

The second panel is to be chaired by James “Skip” Thomas, recently retired Commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and former Glastonbury police chief. State agencies to be represented on the panel include the Department of Public Utility Control, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Office of the State Building Inspector and the Department of Public Works. Representatives from engineering and architectural firms, as well as municipal engineering and fire officials, will also be asked to participate in the review.

The Thomas panel will review state and local permitting processes, building codes and construction oversight methods as they relate to the construction of power plants and large industrial facilities with on-site generating facilities, as well as training and safety protocols for testing power systems - including maintaining accurate lists of personnel who are present during such tests.

“Like safety on the job site, these reviews must be a group effort,” Governor Rell said. “All of us must share a single goal: To avoid a repeat of Sunday’s terrible explosion and the resulting loss of life, injuries and property damage.”

_____________

Monday, February 8, 4:00 p.m.: The name of a second person who died in the explosion was released today. He is 42-year-old Ronald Crabb of Colchester. According to Mayor Giuliano of Middletown, everyone who was on a list of those working at the site on Sunday has been accounted for. In addition to the five killed, 12 people sustained injuries serious enough to require hospitalization.

Monday, February 8, 5:00 a.m.: There are reports in the media that workers from O&G Construction and Ducci Electric were working at the plant on Sunday morning.  Both these companies are from Torrington.  As of 5:00 a.m. this morning, only one of the 5 workers killed in the explosion has been identified.  He is 57-year-old Raymond Dobratz of Old Saybrook.

The Red Cross has opened a line for families of workers or families who were close by and impacted by the blast: 860-347-2577.

We will update this report as more information becomes available.

_______________

Gov. Rell’s office issued the following statement at 8:15 p.m. regarding the explosion at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown plant:

Governor Rell Announces No-Fly Zone Over Middletown Plant Site

Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced tonight that the state has secured a temporary no-fly zone over the site of the Middletown plant explosion because of the instability of the heavily damaged building. The Governor, who was at the scene for several hours today, said the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) worked through the Federal Aviation Authority to request the flight restrictions.

The flight restrictions are in effect until 5:21 p.m. Monday, February 8 and extend to a three nautical mile radius below 3,000 feet.

“We cannot have the safety of our first responders jeopardized,” Governor Rell said. “The safety of the search and rescue workers is essential in order for them to carry out their work. I appreciate the cooperation of the federal government in helping us secure these restrictions. The state’s efforts to support the city of Middletown and the families and victims profoundly affected by this tragedy are ongoing.”

The Governor said the state has also dispatched a four-person Behavioral Health Team to help provide counseling for the families, workers and others affected. The state’s search and rescue team, which includes specially trained dogs, will remain on the scene as long as needed. DEMHS personnel are continuing to staff Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which the Governor activated shortly after the explosion. Other state-coordinated responses today include:

• Part of the state’s mobile field hospital was set up at the site for triage.
• Meriden Mobile Command Post was deployed to the scene under Mutual Aid to provide on-scene command and control.
• DEMHS Region 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) from the Hartford area was activated at request of Incident Command, activation approved by DEMHS, and the IMT is on scene providing support to Incident Command.
• The Mass Casualty trailer from DEMHS Region 2 from the New Haven area (containing medical supplies and equipment, including a generator and lights) was deployed and has now been de-activated.
• East Hartford has activated its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) through DEMHS to assist with canteen services on the site.
• Family assistance center set up by the Red Cross at Middletown City Hall.

_______________

Statement by Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano

Mayor Giuliano said in a statement made at 6:15 p.m. this evening that 5 people were killed in the blast, 12 people injured and the number of people missing and trapped under the rubble is not known.

Statement by Gov. M. Jodi Rell

We have been receiving regular statements from Gov. Rell’s office regarding the explosion at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown plant this morning.  Here is the Governor’s latest statement issued at 4:42 p.m.

“The scene in Middletown is still very active and dozens of state, local and other officials are working tirelessly. Their efforts are expected to continue through the rest of the day and night and into tomorrow. As details are confirmed, Middletown officials, who have control of the scene, will brief the community and the media.

“I thank the many first responders who are braving the very cold and windy conditions. I ask the people of Connecticut to keep those working at the plant at the time of the explosion and their families in their prayers.”

As you go through your evening’s activities, whatever you may have planned, please spare a thought for all those who are dealing with this tragedy.  Our prayers and thoughts of solidarity are with them,  Maria and Bob Moore

For more information: The Red Cross has opened a line for families of workers or families who were close by and impacted by the blast: 860-347-2577.