The Region - News from Oct. 30, 1985

An ordinance requiring companies to disclose the hazardous materials they handle so that firefighters will know what confronts them in the event of an emergency was unanimously approved by Orange County supervisors. The ordinance, which takes effect next week, orders companies in unincorporated county areas that handle more than 55 gallons or 500 pounds of hazardous materials to report their inventory to the county Fire Department twice a year. County officials said companies that opposed a similar law two years ago because it would force them to disclose trade secrets cooperated in drafting the new ordinance, largely because of adverse public reaction to a June chemical fire at an Anaheim warehouse that forced the evacuation of 7,500 people. Robert A. Griffith, head of the county’s hazardous materials program, said, “We expect most, if not all, of the 25 other (cities in Orange County) to adopt this (ordinance) or something like it.”