Fear over terrorist activity in the United States has prompted the Wisconsin State Patrol to tighten security for truckers transporting hazardous materials and waste within the state.
Sgt. Dave Pabst of the state patrol said the patrol has been working for the past month to enhance security because of the potential dangers of transporting hazardous materials.
“Our state inspectors are doing compliance reviews and making security sensitivity visits,” Pabst said. “[They are] going into carriers and reviewing their security precautions and habits overall.”
The hazardous wastes and materials being transported include commodities from fuel products such as gasoline to other flammable materials such as paints and detergents.
The primary concern of the state patrol is fuel carriers.
If a terrorist were to hijack one of these fuel carriers, the vehicle could immediately become a serious threat.
Mike Duesing, service center manager for Vitran Express, which transports hazardous materials, said there is a definite risk with these trucks because they usually contain flammable substances, making them potentially dangerous weapons.
“The vehicles can have an extraordinary high capacity for products both legal or illegal,” Duesing said. “Their engines allow them to go through barricades, and they can get access because [a truck carrying hazardous materials] is a fairly normal thing.”
Gasoline is brought into Wisconsin through pipelines and is deposited at one of the state’s ten terminals. Trucking companies then transport the gasoline to retailers.
Although other hazardous materials and wastes such as chemicals and fertilizers are being transported within the state, Pabst said they are not as much of an issue.
“We are not as concerned because they are less likely and there are a less number of carriers,” Pabst said.
The state patrol currently has 100 inspectors assigned to handle transportation security within the state.
Pabst said they have been working with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, which is aiding security inspectors in other states nationwide. While the state patrol can only oversee matters in Wisconsin, the federal government has increased security throughout the nation.
Bob Bartlett, executive vice president of the Petroleum Marketers Association of Wisconsin, said the transportation industry has always had a rigorous security procedure in place, but the events of Sept. 11 make increased measures a necessity.
“Obviously we were concerned for fire, safety and environmental reasons,” Bartlett said. “This gives us a heightened awareness.”
Duesing said the Department of Transportation has rigid qualifications for truckers who transport hazardous materials, doing extensive background checks before giving them a license.
Pabst said they have not yet received any complaints from the trucking industry over the increased security.
“Most have been more than happy to cooperate,” Pabst said.
Bartlett said trucking businesses understand the concern of government officials and are willing to cooperate.
“Our industry, like most, support reasonable precautions which make our country more secure,” Bartlett said. “We’re going to have to live with inconveniences.”
Duesing agreed the delays caused by increased security are trivial compared to the benefits.
“It’s a cost of doing business,” Duesing said. “We would prefer to have a high level of security rather than having a national disaster.”