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Emergency Response to Terrorism TC: Hazardous Materials

Unit 6: Product Control

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Terminal Objective

The students will be able to identify appropriate product control methods as they relate to tactical operations at a terrorist incident.

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Enabling Objectives

Identify steps required to maintain the chain of custody.

Identify considerations for the haz mat technicians in the preservation of evidence.

The students will:

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Enabling Objectives (cont'd)

Identify the impact of agent physical properties on product control.

Identify uses of conventional and innovative engineering controls in the response to terrorism.

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Evidence Collection

Cooperation needed with law enforcement agencies.

Preplanning will help. Develop partnership with bomb squad. Expect terrorist events to be more

complicated. Evidence collection should never

outweigh personnel safety.

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Evidence Collection (cont'd)

Not a hurried operation Collect evidence before it disappears or is damaged If you can’t collect it, photograph it and mark the

time and location

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Evidence Preservation

Primary area of focus. Photos and videotapes must be produced

for the prosecution during “discovery.” For fire incidents it is sometimes best to

let the fire burn rather than wash away evidence.

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Evidence Management

Develop procedures that simultaneously provide Agent detection Chemical sampling Evidence collection

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Evidence Collection Stock

Keep equipment used in the collection of evidence solely for that purpose Sample jars must be certified clean and kept sealed to

prevent tampering. Variety of sizes and types of collection mediums must be

kept. To cover all the bases, stockpile chemical, glass, poly, steel,

and others. Need ability to collect solid, liquid, and gas.

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Collect to Prosecute

Collection of evidence by trained personnel.

The fire investigator is a logical choice. Unless you have specific training, best left

to law enforcement. In an incident involving a chemical, EPA’s

collection protocols must be followed.

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Bomb Scene Evidence

Use all new tools, containers, shovels, and brooms

Transport must prevent contamination from past jobs

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Explosion--What to Look for:

Evidence may be barely discernable to the naked eye.

Evidence can be several thousand feet away, even hanging in trees.

Body parts may not be readily recognizable.

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Collection Media

Chemicals in uncompromised containers can remain in those containers. If they are in the container and it’s not leaking, leave them there. If the outside of the container is evidence, you may need to overpack.

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Collection Support

Local/County/State police, fire investigation agencies, environmental agencies, health department

State-level environmental crime units Other agencies that collect chem

evidence: FBI, Coast Guard, EPA Chem facilities with quality control

division

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Ensure Evidence Usability

Chain of custody Document who, when, where collected Sample is the responsibility of person who

collected it until secured in proper location

Anyone who handles should sign attached log sheet

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Ensure Evidence Usability (cont'd)

If not logged in and tracked, it may be disallowed by law

Collection best done by several people but responsibility of one One should photograph, one collects, one

documents

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Product Control

Conventional Product Control Direct product control

Unconventional Product Control Air-handling systems Vapor control

Overview

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Product Control (cont'd)

Situation will dictate control measures. Faced with thousands of potential

casualties, standard haz mat tactical objectives may need to be modified.

Sometimes evidence must be destroyed when lives are at stake.

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Conventional Product Control

Adsorption Absorption Covering Dilution Neutralization Overpacking Solidification Vacuuming Vapor dispersion/suppression

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Unconventional Use of Building Controls

Part of vapor dispersion. Ventilation as an option (but presents

public relations problem). PPV. Most agents’ vapor pressure is low;

therefore less air flow may be better. Monitoring is essential.

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Unconventional Use of Building Controls (cont'd)

Use of other chemicals as a possible vapor dispersant.

A garden sprayer with a vinegar solution will alter mace chemically.

Chemical additives can make quick work of an otherwise unsafe environment.

Consult with chemist prior to making this choice.

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Air-Handling System

Can disperse vapors Each system different Consult with maintenance person Most HVAC's draw in little outside air

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Air-Handling System (cont'd)

Typical system for large buildings not usually helpful to terrorists.

Amount of air exchanged is very small. Outside air is not generally used. Very little adjustment or access to the

system from the outside.

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Highrise HVAC Systems

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HVAC System HVAC System (cont'd)(cont'd)

Return air

Fresh air

Mixing box

Chiller/Heater

Distribution point

Filter

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Air Intake

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Intake Controls

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HVAC System HVAC System (cont'd)(cont'd)

Return air

Fresh air

Mixing box

Chiller/Heater

Distribution point

Filter

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Filtration System

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HVAC System HVAC System (cont'd)(cont'd)

Return air

Fresh air

Mixing box

Chiller/Heater

Distribution point

Filter

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HVAC Systems Summary

Most highrise systems work against terrorists.

Knowledge of the system is critical. Use of the HVAC system can benefit

responders.

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Summary

Standard haz mat product controls have some applicability.

Biggest concern is preservation of evidence and that is usually with law enforcement.

Evidence collection done poorly lets the accused go free.

Use of HVAC has benefits for the good guys.