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Public Safety Message from
York County Sheriff's
Office
Sheriff J. D. Diggs
&
York County Department of Fire and Life Safety
Fire Chief Stephen P. Kopczynski
In the
aftermath of recent events around the United States public
concern has grown regarding the potential exposure by citizens to
Anthrax. In response, the Center for Disease Control has provided the
below:
CDC
HOW TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL AGENT
THREATS
Many facilities in communities around the
country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes;
some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines
is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.
DO NOT PANIC
Anthrax organisms can cause
infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do, so
the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as
a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the
anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics.
Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.
For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must
be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and
requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these
small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur,
but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.
Suspicious unopened letter or PACKAGE MARKED WITH
THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH AS "ANTHRAX":
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Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious
envelope or package.
-
PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or
some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
-
If you do not have any container, then COVER the
envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can,
etc.) and do not remove this cover.
-
Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section
off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others
away).
-
WASH your hands with soap and water to
prevent spreading any powder to your face.
-
What to do next…
-
If you are at HOME, report
the incident to local police.
-
If you
are at WORK, report the incident to local police, and
notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
-
LIST all people who were in the room or area when
this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to
both the local public health authorities and law enforcement
officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
Envelope with powder and powder spills out onto surface
-
DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder. COVER the
spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing,
paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover!
-
Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or
section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep
others away).
-
WASH your hands with soap and water to
prevent spreading any powder to your face.
-
What to do next…
-
If
you are at HOME, report the incident to local police.
-
If you are at WORK,
report the incident to local police, and notify your
building security official or an available supervisor.
-
REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon
as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other
container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be
given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
-
SHOWER with soap and water as soon as
possible. Do Not Use Bleach Or Other Disinfectant On Your
Skin.
-
If possible, list all people who were in the
room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the
powder. Give this list to both the local public health
authorities so that proper instructions can be given for
medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for
further investigation.
QUESTION OF ROOM CONTAMINATION BY AEROSOLIZATION:
For example: small device triggered, warning that air
handling system is contaminated, or warning that a biological agent
released in a public space.
1. Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the
area.
2. LEAVE area immediately.
3. CLOSE the door, or section off the area to
prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
4. What to do next…
- If you are at HOME, then dial
"911" to report the incident to local police and
the local FBI field office.
- If you are at WORK, then dial
"911" to report the incident to local police and
the local FBI field office, and notify your building
security official or an available supervisor.
5. SHUT down air handling system in the building, if
possible.
6. If possible, list all people who were in the room
or area. Give this list to both the local public health authorities
so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and
to law enforcement officials for further investigation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS
Some characteristics of suspicious packages and
letters include the following…
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Excessive postage
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Handwritten or poorly typed
addresses
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Incorrect
titles
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Title, but no name
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Misspellings of common words
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Oily stains, discolorations or
odor
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No return address
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Excessive weight
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Lopsided or uneven envelope
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Protruding wires or aluminum
foil
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Excessive security material
such as masking tape, string, etc.
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Visual distractions
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Ticking sound
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Marked with restrictive
endorsements, such as "Personal" or
"Confidential"
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Shows a city or state in the
postmark that does not match the return address
Family
Emergency Preparedness
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