Post on 05-Jan-2016
transcript
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Mark Bowes, Safety Programs Coordinator
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Life has changed Forever.
Life has changed Forever.
Effective 9/11/2001Effective 9/11/2001
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Introduction
• How did we get here?
• Background of Anthrax.
• The Threat.
• What are our chances of becoming a target?
• How to prepare.
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Introduction
• What to do if you find something suspicious.
• What is the process if something is found?
• What should I do next?
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Health Department says -
• History of Anthrax as a naturally occurring disease and as a weapon.
• Two types – Naturally occurring and man-made.
• How does anthrax infect us?
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Health Department says -
• How do we test for Anthrax?
• How do we treat exposures?
• What is being done to improve our response capability to these biological threats?
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The Threat• As of today there have been no biological
agents identified in Washington state.
• Not a single spore of Anthrax or human case
of anthrax.
• Our overall threat is extremely low to a
terrorist attack in Jefferson County.
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The Threat
• Remember – there are 280 MILLION people
in this country.
• We may see copycats and hoaxes.
• We live in an information age, sometimes
we get too much information to process
emotionally in a short period of time.
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What are my chances of becoming a target?
• Are you a national figure?
• Do you work for a national figure?
• Do I work in a building for such a person?
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What are my chances of becoming a target?
• Do I handle the mail for such a person?
• Do you work in a Postal service distribution center?
• Do I work in a building that is a national symbol?
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How do I prepare?
• Be open to changes.
• The mail should be inspected before it enters your building.
• Clear the area where mail is inspected.
• Cover the work surface with a disposable cover.
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How do I prepare?
• Each person inspecting the mail should be
wearing vinyl or Nitrile, powder less
gloves, optional will be - N-95 or N-100
mask, and shoe covers.
• The mail should be examined for outer
signs of contamination.
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What am I looking for?
• Let’s go over the handout.
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How do I prepare?
• The mail should be opened and
examined for powder.
• If nothing is found distribute the
mail.
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What do I do if I find something?
• If anything seems suspicious it should be double bagged immediately.
• Place the bagged material on a flat surface.
• Write down the return address, the postmark, city and date.
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• Do not shake or empty the contents or sniff, touch or taste the contents..
• Do not carry the envelope, show it to others or allow others to see it.
What do I do if I find something?
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What’s next?
• Leave the room and close the door.
• Remove protective shoe covers, mask and gloves just outside the door.
• Anyone who touched the items should wash their hands.
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What’s next?
• Avoid contact with those not exposed.
• Go to your designated evacuation point and keep everyone together Leave the room and close the door.
• Evacuate all persons in the immediate area.
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What’s next?• Keep everyone together. Make a list
of everyone in the room.
• Close the air handling system.
• Have someone call 9-1-1.
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Call 9-1-1• Describe the item and where it is.
• What made you suspicious about the item?
• What did you do to isolate the item?
• How many people have come into contact with the item?
• Has the area been evacuated?
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Call 9-1-1• Where are those people right now?
• Does anyone have anything on their clothing or person?
• Does anyone appear ill?
• What number can you be reached at.
• Where are you at in the building right now?
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What happens now?
• Law enforcement will arrive.
• They will ask questions.
• They will call in needed resources to meet the threat.
• The item will be removed.
• You will be given instructions on what to do next.
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What should I do?
• You will be informed of the results of the investigation.
• If the item tests positive you will be told where to go for more information and treatment.
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REMEMBER:• Being exposed does not automatically mean
contamination!
• Being contaminated does not mean you have contracted anything! It only means that you have been exposed.
• Your chances of winning the Washington's State Lotto are greater than contracting Anthrax at this time, provided you buy a ticket.
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We must adapt our thinking
• Change to meet the times -
• Don’t live in fear -
• Be prepared -
• Have a plan -
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Responding to a threat
• Have a plan!
• Act on that plan!
• Follow the plan!
• Communicate as directed in the Plan!
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Thank You!
Be safe and live your life every Day! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !