On November 7, 2023, a fire erupted at the historic former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Hangar in Tustin, CA. Built in the 1940s, this massive structure was one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, spanning over 1,000 feet in length, 300 feet in width and standing over 17 stories high. The fire not only destroyed this iconic landmark but also unleashed asbestos and hazardous debris across a six-mile radius, affecting neighborhoods, schools, parks, and public spaces. This disaster triggered a local state of emergency, requiring an urgent and large-scale cleanup effort.
Containment and Cleanup Challenges
The fire created an unprecedented environmental challenge, as hazardous materials, including asbestos, were dispersed across a wide area. Strong winds and rain exacerbated the situation, spreading debris further and impacting over 2,500 residential properties, 29 schools, 12 city parks, and numerous public spaces. To top it off, the cleanup happened to fall around the holiday season, spanning from Thanksgiving through the New Year.
Given the magnitude of this disaster, all eyes were on the response, as local officials, residents, and the media were all vocal about their concerns for the health and safety of the community.
“This was an unprecedented environmental challenge,” said Jerry Cielak, President of National Response Services (NRS). “The scale and complexity of asbestos abatement extended across a vast area, putting the safety of both our teams and the community at the forefront. By rapidly establishing a command center and prioritizing cleanup efforts based on ongoing environmental testing, we ensured effective hazard mitigation from the start.”
The scope and complexity of the contamination required a contractor with the resources, expertise, and scalability to respond immediately. ATI Restoration stepped in, quickly mobilizing a workforce and equipment to address the crisis.
Scaling Up
To meet the demands of this unprecedented cleanup, ATI rapidly scaled its workforce to over 500 certified technicians. To supplement their workforce, ATI hosted asbestos certification training, certifying 125 employees within just one week. Equipped with emergency response semi-trailers preloaded with abatement tools, ATI set up a command center, staging areas, and multiple 3-stage decontamination chambers with airlock enclosures to ensure safe operations.
The cleanup spanned:
- 85-acre hangar property
- Over 2,500 residential homes (including single-family homes, apartments, and condos)
- 29 schools
- 12 city parks
- 3 fire stations
- 1 community center
- Open fields and public rights-of-way
Community-Centric Approach
In the wake of a disaster affecting so much of the community, transparency and clear communication with all stakeholders took on unprecedented importance under the watchful eyes of the public. Partnering with the City of Tustin and various agencies, ATI developed a communication strategy to keep stakeholders informed and ensure the project ran smoothly. These stakeholders included:
- City of Tustin
- Environmental inspectors and auditors
- Orange County Health Agency
- South Coast Air Quality Management District
- U.S. Navy
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
ATI supervisors went door-to-door, speaking with residents and explaining the cleanup process, offering free services to remove debris from their properties. This personal touch helped nurture trust and ensured residents felt supported during the recovery.
Reflecting on the effort, Cielak notes, “Our team worked tirelessly through the holiday season, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the Tustin community. One year later, we are proud of our efforts to restore safety across the affected areas and remain ready to support the city as needed.”
Third-Party Testing
Throughout the cleanup, third-party environmental consultants conducted testing and inspections. Each zone was cleared only after the area underwent rigorous air sampling and visual inspections to confirm that safety standards were met. ATI responded to new debris spread by weather conditions, revisiting completed zones to ensure thorough and effective cleanup.
The Outcome
Phase 1 of this extensive project was completed successfully, with all impacted zones cleared and declared safe, and over a year later, ATI remains on call to support the City of Tustin with hazardous debris removal as needed. This response not only highlighted ATI’s expertise and commitment but also reflected the strength and resilience of the restoration community as a whole. When restoration professionals collaborate to prioritize safety, transparency, and community engagement, they demonstrate the collective impact the industry can have in helping communities recover from even the most challenging crises.
Watch the full video recap of ATI’s response here.
