Martinez, CA — Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston issued the following statement following the release of the independent investigation into the February 1st fire at the Martinez Refining Company (MRC):
“The release of this report confirms what residents of Martinez and nearby communities already knew in their hearts—the February fire was avoidable. It happened not because of a single error, but because of systematic failures that put lives, health, and safety at risk.
As Supervisor for District 5, where MRC is located, and as a member of the Industrial Safety Ordinance Subcommittee, I take this matter personally. The findings from JEM Advisors are stark: inadequate oversight, broken lines of communication, and outdated protocols allowed a preventable fire to burn for days, stirring panic and damaging public trust.
This should never have happened. We cannot allow it to happen again.
I also want to recognize the refinery workers impacted by this incident. Six individuals were taken to the hospital following the fire, and thankfully, none sustained serious injuries. But we cannot overlook the broader issue this incident highlights—worker safety on industrial sites must be a top priority. Every employee deserves to feel secure in their workplace, and every employer has a duty to maintain that security through proper training, oversight, and emergency preparedness.
I am calling on MRC to implement every recommendation in this report with urgency and transparency. That includes increasing oversight of contractor work, ensuring clear and enforceable safety procedures, and eliminating barriers that prevent the right people from getting the right training at the right time.
The people of Martinez deserve more than apologies—they deserve accountability. As your Supervisor, I will make sure that this report is not shelved. I will continue to ask hard questions, demand measurable progress, and work with community members and experts to ensure MRC lives up to its responsibility.
I encourage residents to take part in the 45-day public comment period starting June 10. Your voices matter. Your health matters. Your safety matters.”
For more on Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/Supervisor-Scales-Preston
Related
- June 3 – Report Highlights Root Cause of Martinez Refining Company Fire
- April 3 – Martinez Refining Company to Restart Refinery Process Units
- Feb 11 – Martinez Refinery Discloses Toxic Chemicals Released During Fire
- Feb 5 – Joint Statement on the Martinez Refinery Fire
- Feb 4 – Martinez Health Advisory Lifted
- Feb 4 – Scales-Preston Issues Statement on Martinez Refining Company Fire
- Feb 4 – Contra Costa Fire Releases Incident Report from Martinez Refinery Fire
- Feb 2 – Bay Area Air District Releases Report on Martinez Refinery Fire
- Feb 1 – Update: Martinez Refinery Fire Injures 3, Shelter-in-Place
