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10.C.A. - Page 2 <br /> control in 17 hours and extinguished in 18.5 hours. For the December incident, it took <br /> 6.5 and 9.25 hours, respectively, to control and extinguish the fire. <br /> Extensive resources were required in order to respond to the fires, including: multiple <br /> fire engines and firefighting and command personnel from Redwood City and <br /> surrounding jurisdictions; numerous police officers to establish a perimeter and provide <br /> traffic control; staff from the City's Public Works division to ensure water supply, fire <br /> apparatus fueling and other logistical support; and on-site and follow up support from <br /> the City's public communication staff to provide information to the media and <br /> community. <br /> Fire Investigation <br /> The cause of the fires is still under investigation by the Redwood City Fire Department. <br /> The Council and community will be apprised as soon as information regarding the <br /> investigation becomes publicly available. As discussed below, other regulatory <br /> agencies are also investigating the fire. To-date, BAAQMD has issued violations <br /> against SMM in association with each fire. <br /> Operational Requirements and Monitoring <br /> Following the November 2013 fire, SMM began to further segregate the shredding <br /> source materials in order to reduce the risk of fire. <br /> After the December fire, clear that additional operational changes were needed, the City <br /> leadership was in immediate communication with SMM and within three days had <br /> secured agreement with a set of conditions aimed at improving safety during a sixty-day <br /> period of review (with the possibility of extension), during which the City and other <br /> regulatory agencies would continue their investigations and determine any operational <br /> changes that would be required of SMM. <br /> The City's requirements of SMM, which were put in place on December 20, are that <br /> they: <br /> • Staff the facility around the clock with a minimum of three qualified operators to <br /> enable timely reporting and assistance in the event of a future fire incident. <br /> • Allow the City to review the qualifications of facility operators, contractors and <br /> subcontractors. <br /> • Cooperate fully with frequent, random City inspections. <br /> • Report immediately any hazardous conditions, fires, industrial injuries or illnesses. <br /> The City is inspecting the SMM facility on a daily basis and has thus far found SMM to <br /> be in compliance with the above requirements. <br /> SMM has identified and instituted additional operational improvements to reduce fire <br /> risk, including a reinforcement of their inspections of incoming shipments, more frequent <br /> equipment maintenance and a practice of shredding to the ground" so that there are no <br /> piles left at the end of the day. <br />