SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA / Appreciation goes out to SAME Southern California Posts (San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Oxnard-Ventura) for hosting a successful collaborative Camp Pendleton Day event on June 17th. Oneida ESC Group’s Patrick Devericks, PE, Senior Engineer and Director of Investigation and Remediation Services and Board Member for the SAME Oxnard-Ventura Post, took part in organizing a collaborative panel to discuss the quick response toward removal of hazardous waste and lithium-ion batteries following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires in the Los Angeles, California area in January 2025.

The panel discussion, Eaton and Palisades Fires Phase 1 Response Panel: Rapid, Multi-Agency Removal of Hazardous Waste and Lithium-ion Batteries, included representatives from EPA and the Marine Corps Task Force (Camp Pendleton) focusing on the Phase 1 response, which was the identification and quick removal of hazardous waste and lithium-ion batteries from approximately 14,000 properties impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires in a very short, 28-day completion period. The panel discussed the background, quick response, logistics, technical approach to removal, offsite lithium-ion battery processing and disposal, and
lessons learned.

Thank you to the panel for sharing your time and expertise!