Chemical Complex Incident

The Delaware City refinery and chemical complex uses many hazardous materials. If an incident occurs, tune immediately to the emergency broadcast station for instructions. In most (but not all) incidents you will be instructed to “shelter in place.” This means to get indoors, close all doors and windows, and turn off any air conditioning or ventilation system.

Delaware City government and the Delaware City Fire Company are both active in DC-CAER, which stands for Delaware City – Community Awareness and Emergency Response. The informal organization is made up of representatives of all the chemical facilities in the complex, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, DEMA, DNREC, Delaware State Police, and DEDO. DC-CAER meets regularly to share information, facilitate emergency planning, and holds annual exercises. In 2006, the exercise was a simulated explosion and fire at the refinery port facility and included the U.S. Coast Guard and the Wilmington fire boat.