Responder Safety Advisory - Response to Known/Suspected WMD Incidents (Non-Anthrax Specific)
By C. L. Staten, ERRI Executive Director and Senior Analyst
A recent rash of anthrax "hoaxes" have occurred throughout the Mid-West, Northeast, and Southeast. In consideration of a review of the currently available information regarding the emergency response thereto, ERRI would like to respectfully suggest the following generic operating procedures when responding to a threat of or to a known or suspected incident involving "biological, chemical, or nuclear agents":
1> The
first arriving unit, be it from a police, fire, or EMS agency, should attempt to isolate
and evacuate the area where the suspected mail/package is found. Treat the area where the
mail/package is found as a "hot zone" until proved otherwise by competent
authorities. All personnel evacuated from this "hot zone" should be
decontaminated, medically evaluated, and debriefed by law enforcement authorities
before being transported to the hospital for further evaluation. 2>
Handling of mail or packages that are suspected of containing potential chemical or
biological materials should be kept to a absolute minimum. This is important from both an
evidentiary standpoint, as well as trying to reduce the number of people that are
potentially exposed to a toxic agent. This particularly true of emergency responders, who
in past incidents have reportedly handled suspect letters or showed them to other
personnel/agencies on the scene. Emergency personnel should also be cautious that the
letter/package could be "booby-trapped" or of the possibility of a secondary
explosive device in the vicinity. 3> At
the earliest opportunity, activate a response of local and/or mutual aid hazardous
materials units. Unless proven otherwise safe, personnel handling any suspected chemical,
biological, or nuclear materials should wear fully-encapsulated suits and self-contained
breathing apparatus (Level A). Institute a complete hazardous materials management plan.
Depth of resources becomes paramount in extended operations involving chem/bio
reconnaissance and decontamination, Call for help soon and request sufficient numbers of
the needed resources. 4> In
incidents involving a known or suspected "weapons of mass destruction" (WMD), it
is recommended that an early response of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) be
requested. According to the national response plan and Presidential directives, the FBI is
the lead federal agency in crisis management concerning chemical, biological, or nuclear
weapons. In most jurisdictions, the FBI can be easily contacted by local police agencies.
FBI offices can also contact and activate needed federal agencies and personnel, like the
CDC, USAMIIRID, Army Technical Support Unit, National Guard RAID teams*, or Marine CBIRF,
if needed. 5> A
review of the B'nai B'rith Anthrax hoax incident that took place on April, 24, 1997 in
Washington, DC would suggest the necessity of setting up an effective
multi-jurisdictional command post to coordinate the actions of all the agencies on the
scene. Set one up at the earliest opportunity...you'll need it. 6>
Although several recent incidents, allegedly involving "anthrax," have all
proven to be hoaxes...do not become complacent or take any suspected WMD incident lightly.
Every incident must be treated as though it were the real thing until proven fraudulent.
To do otherwise could easily result in the unnecessary illness or death of citizens or
emergency responders. 7> Be
prepared for massive interest by the media. Past incidents have drawn reporters,
helicopters, and mini-cams from miles around. Institute an effective Public Information
effort early in the incident. This will help to minimize panic on the part of civilians
and be beneficial to better overall scene management activities. Particularly in urban
areas, ensure that someone contacts the FAA to "clear the airspace" over a
potential or real WMD release scene. Hovering news helicopters could rapidly spread a
chemical or biological agent to a much larger area. 8> It
should be remembered that 911 dispatchers must be involved in this entire process, as they
will take the initial reports and are in a vital position to ascertain details that will
aid investigators and/or alert responders to the possibility of a potential WMD incident.
They will also be in the midst of recording and coordinating an effective
multi-jurisdictional response to the incident. Dispatchers must be trained in WMD
recognition and be familiar with responders' objectives and responsibilities, if they are
to effectively and professionally assist in the managed command, communications, and
effective mitigation of the incident. 9> Above
all, once an incident is underway, it is far too late to formulate an effective
terrorism/WMD plan. This is a task that will require months of assessment, training,
planning, and the purchase of appropriate equipment. Obviously, a real WMD release will
quickly become a complex and difficult task involving far more than the brief
information contained herein. It is strongly recommended that awareness and
preparation for this eventuality should be underway in all communities at this time.
ERRI
would like to thank the following personnel, who provided peer-review and recommendations
for these advisories:
Some Related References/Additional Information