Possible Chem/Bio Contamination Incident in Wichita. KS

EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Report

08/18/98 - 16:00CDT

Possible Chem/Bio Contamination Incident in Wichita. KS

By C. L. Staten, ERRI Sr. Analyst

Wichita, KS (EmergencyNet News) -- Preliminary reports are coming in of a possible chemical or biological contamination incident in Wichita, Kansas. The incident, which happened late this morning, reportedly caused the evacuation of the Finney State Office Building in downtown Wichita.

According to John Coslett, Sedgwick County Emergency Manager, a "unknown white powdery substance" was found in three elevators in the state building. Sources close to the investigation say that a "threatening note" was also found at the scene that describes the white substance as being the bio-warfare agent "anthrax." The actual identity of the powder has not been established according to investigators.

About two hundred people were evacuated from the scene and as many as several dozen may have come in contact with the substance. According to local emergency service officials, a number of people were medically evaluated at the scene by local EMS personnel; none required immediate treatment.

Officials from McConnell Air Force Base and Ft. Riley reportedly responded to the scene and have taken samples of the unknown substance for testing and identification. An investigation is underway to determine how or why the substance was in the building.

EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Wichita and will provide additional details as circumstances warrant.

Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Wednesday, August 19, 1998-Vol. 4 - 231

TERRORISM/POLITICAL VIOLENCE

UNITED STATES

WICHITA, KANSAS (EmergencyNet News) - In a story that was first broken nationally by the EmergencyNet News Service, a state office building was evacuated on Tuesday when a note warning of a dangerous substance was found in a stair-well and a white powder was smeared in elevators. According to a FBI spokesperson, twenty to 25 people may have been exposed to the powder found in the envelope and on control panels in three elevators at the Finney State Office Building.

FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza in Kansas City, Missouri, said, "The people that have been exposed to the substance are receiving medical attention, although no one has reported any symptoms consistent with exposure. We're taking it very seriously."

Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Maddox said about 15 people went through decontamination procedures at the scene as a precaution. About 200 people were evacuated and the building remained closed pending an FBI investigation. The substance, said to be anthrax in the note, was sent to McConnell Air Force and Fort Riley for analysis. No demands were made in the note. Preliminary tests indicated that the substance was not hazardous, but more tests were being conducted.

ERRI analysts said that the preliminary information that is available would seem to indicate that the incident was probably "some sort of a sick hoax," but added that they were sure that every precaution would be taken by local, state and federal agencies to ensure the safety of the public. One senior analyst did, however, note that the incident in Wichita again points out the current vulnerability of almost any type of government building and he suggested that additional preventive and precautionary security measures might be undertaken.

The ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT is a subscription publication of the EmergencyNet NEWS Service, which is a part of the Chicago-based Emergency Response and Research Institute. This publication specializes in Security/Terrorism/ Intelligence/Military and National Security issues.

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