Text Box: New England Environmental, Inc. (NEE) was hired to conduct a subsurface investigation of a municipal fire station and training facility in Pittsfield, MA to evaluate a potential release of oil and/or hazardous materials (OHM). The scope of work was later expanded to include preparation and implementation of a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan to remove identified petroleum and PCB-impacted soil. NEE then conducted a Method 1 Risk Characterization and prepared a Class A-2 Response Action Outcome (RAO) Statement to close the Site with MA-DEP.

Weekly training for a 10-year period in the 50s and 60s reportedly included the use of “trans oil” supplied in 55-gallon drums by a local manufacturing facility in Pittsfield, MA.  The drums were stored in an unpaved area next to the parking lot. Unburned gas/oil mixtures that remained at the end of training were reportedly drained into the parking lot storm drain adjacent to the fire training area.  This storm drain discharges to Onota Brook on the opposite side of Pecks Road. 

Text Box: NEE supervised the drilling of twelve soil borings, and collection of soil, sediment, and PCB wipe samples for laboratory analysis. Soil samples were collected continuously using a direct-push Geoprobe rig. Headspace screening of the soil samples was conducted using a PID to measure relative concentrations of total organic vapors. Concentrations of contaminants were reported above the applicable S-1 Reportable Concentrations for nine of the twelve samples collected. This constituted a 120-day reportable condition, and NEE recommended RAM activities to remove the impacted soil and test groundwater at the Site. NEE completed Bill-of-Lading forms for off-Site disposal of 84 tons of PCB-impacted soil and 295 tons of petroleum-impacted soil. The petroleum-impacted soil was used at the Northampton Municipal Landfill for daily cover material. NEE prepared a Class A-2 RAO Statement for this facility, allowing it to exit the DEP system. A subsequent DEP Audit of this RAO found no issues requiring further action.

Release Abatement Measure (RAM) & RAO Statement

Municipal Fire Training Facility

Pittsfield, MA

Five-story brick and concrete fire training tower with a basement built in 1951/52.

Petroleum and PCB-impacted soil excavation  areas adjacent to the station and Fire Training Tower.

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