Germersheim Army Depot receives German permit to store up to 1,900 tons of packaged oil, petroleum products

by U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Public Affairs Office
A newly renovated Defense Logistics Agency warehouse increases the storage and distribution capacity for packaged oil and petroleum products at Germersheim Army Depot. The depot is part of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, headquartered in Kaiserslautern. The German government approved the building for full use up to the permitted 1,900 tons on Aug. 16. (Courtesy photo)

The Defense Logistics Agency warehouse at Germersheim Army Depot was recently renovated to increase the storage and distribution capacity for packaged oil and petroleum products. The depot is part of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, headquartered in Kaiserslautern.
The German government approved the building for full use up to the permitted 1,900 tons on Aug. 16. Current and future hazardous materials stored on premise follow all applicable German and American environmental, safety, industrial health and fire prevention requirements and poses no threat to the health or safety of the surrounding community.
The existing types of inventories stored within the warehouse will remain the same — no new materials will be added to the inventory. Existing inventory will go from 70 tons to a new capacity of 1,900 tons.
Most of the items are similar to materials stored at local retail and automotive centers and are considered “low hazard” items. Items stored in the warehouse are common-use automotive and weatherproofing products, to include lubricating oil, deicing fluid, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze cleaning compounds, grease, brake fluid, fog oil, sealant, charcoal soap, lavatory antifreeze, dust control agent inhibitor, tire foam liquid, fire extinguisher batteries, and fluorescent and metal halide lights.
The items in building 7915 are stored in approved manufacturer packaging. If a package is compromised while being handled by equipment or personnel, the package is segregated from the storage site and repackaged or disposed of. Another important safety consideration is that the entire building is constructed as a secondary containment unit that can contain any spill and also serve as a water retention system for fire response.
Regular inspections are performed by the German Armed Forces using the same safety and environmental regulations applied to German military installations. Should an emergency response be required, the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Fire Station on Germersheim Army Depot has personnel trained on hazardous materials operations and has all the necessary equipment to respond to any hazardous materials incident on the installation. In addition, resources and personnel from other garrison fire stations would be available to support any incident at Germersheim Army Depot.
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz also has a Mutual Aid Agreement with both the county and city of Germersheim and the communities of Lingenfeld and Bellheim to provide mutual support and through the Status of Forces Agreement, garrison fire responders can request additional resources from the nation partners.
The warehouse is located within the Germersheim Army Depot perimeter with entrance points protected by security personnel. The facility itself is protected in accordance with all U.S. Government regulations, to include ID card access.

Questions can be directed to the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz public affairs office at usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.id-europe.mbx.garrison-public-affairs@army.mil.