Concerned Exposure to Anthrax
(Unknown Substance)
IMPLEMENTED 10/19/01
Purpose:
Kitsap County Emergency Management held an emergency meeting with fire, law, hazmat, public health and military on Saturday, October 13, to develop guidelines to provide additional support and coordination in responding to the numerous calls from Kitsap County citizens concerned with exposure to anthrax after a nationally televised press conference by Attorney General, John Ashcroft, Friday, October 12th, stating if any citizen receives a suspicious package, mail, etc., they should contact their local authorities.
Our initial response on October 13th was to provide as much assistance to citizens as possible. After a weekend of concerns, suspicious packages and many false alarms, we feel we can better handle the concerns from our citizens in the following manner.
Upon implementation, all response agencies in Kitsap County need to develop guidelines and training to respond according to the recommended process.
Suspicious Letter/Package – Not Opened – Law Event
- CENCOM receives a 911 call of a suspicious item. They will first determine if the caller received a threat with letter or package. If yes, they will screen the call. If no, they will refer the call to the automated screening system( note: businesses, schools or government facility’s will not be referred to the automated screening system). During this screen the caller will be walked through a credible/non-credible threat process. If the caller answers no to the questions asked, they will be instructed to dispose of envelope/package in garbage and wash their hands with soap and water
- If during this screening process the caller answers yes to any of the questions listed, or they require assistance, they are instructed to press 0 for the operator. The operator will then continue to screen the call to determine if this is a "credible/non-credible threat". (see attached new screening questions). If deemed "credible" or gray area, CENCOM will refer the call to local law enforcement for further investigation. If non-credible, request caller to clean up spill with soap and water, change clothes and take a shower or wash hands, just as a precaution. If refuses, refer to law enforcement for assistance and further investigation.
- Law Enforcement - Credible threat or citizen requests assistance a Police Officer contacts (phone) caller to further screen and identify package/letter is not open and continues the process of determining credible/non-credible threat. Police Officer determines from phone conversation, non-credible threat, will request caller to throw package/envelope away and wash hands. No further action required. If caller refuses to throw package/mail/substance away and requests assistance, Police Officer will arrange to pick up at officer’s convenience (not a priority call) during normal business hours.
- If police officer determines "credible threat" – continues to investigate, determines need to contact FBI (should be done by Supervisor), maintains evidence per agency procedures – removes package and follows agency’s protocols for evidence.
- If unsure credible and wants to open package/mail etc., before determining to contact FBI, arrange with bomb tech. Jon Sandberg, KCSO, to open package during Jon’s "normal" scheduled hours.
Suspicious Letter/Package – Opened/Spilled
- CENCOM receives a 911 call of a suspicious item. They will first determine if the caller received a threat with letter or package. If yes, they will screen the call. If no, they will refer the call to the automated screening system( note: businesses, schools or government facilities will not be referred to the automated screening system). During this screen the caller will be walked through a credible/non-credible threat process. If the caller answers no to the questions asked, they will be instructed to clean up spill and dispose of envelope/package and wash their hands with soap and water. If anything spilled on them, ask them to wash clothes.
- If during this screening process the caller answers yes to any of the questions listed, get confused or requires additional help, they will be instructed to press 0 for the operator. The operator will then continue to screen call to determine if this is a "credible/non-credible threat". (see attached new screening questions). If deemed "credible" or gray area, CENCOM will refer to local law enforcement for further investigation. If non-credible, request caller to clean up spill with soap and water, change clothes and take a shower or wash hands, just as a precaution. If caller refuses, refer to law enforcement for investigation.
- Police Officer contacts (phone) caller to further screen and identify package/letter and continues the process of determining credible/non-credible threat. If Police Officer determines from phone conversation non-credible threat, officer will request caller to clean up spill, remove clothes (if home), wash clothes and shower with soap and water. If caller will not clean spill and insists on response, Police Officer request local fire duty officer and fire will assist. Fire Duty Officer will determine appropriate personnel to respond.
- If Police Officer determines "credible threat", officer will initiate hazmat response through local duty fire officer. Fire Duty Officer will contact Bangor Hazmat for assistance. Police Officer will investigate and determine need for FBI notification.
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