Chemical Response and Remediation Contractors

The demands placed on emergency response and remediation for environmental protection is immediate and ongoing, requiring swift action in times of crisis and a long-term commitment to readiness. This balance between short-term response and long-term sustainability is where Chemical Response and Remediation Contractors (CRRC) excel.

Delivering a comprehensive suite of environmental services tailored to meet the industry and government's needs, its expertise spans critical areas, such as emergency incident and spill response, asbestos abatement, mold remediation and hazardous waste management. CRRC is also renowned for its 24-hour Emergency Incident and Spill Response and Remediation services, ensuring swift and effective solutions throughout South Texas and Northern Mexico.

“Being ready to respond 24/7 is not an option; it’s necessary. We invest heavily in training, equipment, and certifications, ensuring we can jump into action within one to two hours of an incident,” says David Hanawa, President of CRRC. This ensures that supervisors and workers are always prepared to respond to spills during weekends, nights or holidays. A primary on-call list is maintained, particularly for weekends, to ensure those assigned are prepared for emergency call-ins.

Partnerships that Matter

CRRC’s expertise in emergency response has earned the trust of federal agencies like Customs and Border Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These relationships are crucial when managing environmental crises that require a coordinated, multi-agency response.

In a typical emergency, CRRC is the bridge between the responsible party and various first responders, from fire departments and law enforcement to environmental regulators. The company collaborates with the party responsible for the spill and works closely with regulatory agencies like the Texas General Land Office or the U.S. Coast Guard, depending on the location. The spill is reported to the National Response Center and the response level—whether federal or state—is determined by the spill's size and severity.

Time is of the essence, as delays can worsen the situation, increasing the scope of the spill and cleanup costs. CRRC swiftly assesses the situation, devises a strategy and executes the plan with precision, from stopping the release of hazardous materials to remediating the site. The firm’s responsibilities extend beyond that point to include waste collection, disposal and reporting, ensuring that every step of the process meets regulatory standards.

Expertise in Action

CRRC’s ability to handle a wide range of environmental disasters is tested time and again. One such instance involved a tanker trailer carrying 14,000 gallons of hydrocarbon product (naphtha) that overturned on a busy interstate, sparking a massive fire. The fire department’s efforts to extinguish the blaze led to runoff contaminated with chemicals, eventually entering a nearby waterway.

CRRC’s response?

An Interstate Highway had to be cleared to allow traffic to flow. The runoff of fuel and firefighting foam and water flowed into a waterway. A coffer dam was installed to contain the runoff and removed the contaminated mixture. The firm’s swift action minimized the environmental damage while ensuring that detailed reports were prepared for regulatory authorities.

In another case, a barge offloading diesel fuel spilled product into a waterway. CRRC’s response was immediate. It deployed containment booms, installed surface skimmers, and safely disposed of the collected contaminants. The firm’s prompt actions prevented further contamination, protecting the waterway and surrounding ecosystems.

Each situation highlights CRRC’s ability to efficiently manage complex, high-stakes emergencies.

CRRC’s team is trained to operate in extreme conditions, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that ranges from minimal (Level D) to extreme (Level A), depending on the severity of the situation. Regular training ensures that workers are prepared for the demands of being on call at any time, even if they are accustomed to set hours. Rather than having multiple teams always on standby, CRRC operates with a rotating system, assigning a primary response crew for each weekend. This approach keeps the team ready to respond at all times, maintains scheduling flexibility, and relieves employees from the need to be on call daily.

It is not just CRRC’s people who are prepared—the company’s ongoing investment in equipment ensures its team can respond to spills in bays, wetlands and drainage canals to mitigate environmental impact and remediate the site.

As Hanawa emphasizes, “Preparedness is not just a part of our business—it is our business.”

With this philosophy at its core, CRRC is prepared for today's challenges and is also ready to tackle whatever tomorrow brings.