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C4 Risk Management Group Ltd

White Powder ScaresUnit Standard 6523

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Respond to Emergencies and critical incidents as a security officer

Introduction

This study guide is designed to prepare you for assessment against NZQA Unit

Standard 6523 Respond to emergencies & critical situations as a security officer.

This Unit Standard is a compulsory requirement of the National Certificate in

Security Level 3 and 4.

This is a knowledge based module with a practical component and can beachieved by completing the following distance learning modules.

1.Introduction to CIMS2.Bomb Threats3.White Powder Threats4.Fire5.Natural Hazards6.Operational Briefings7.Evacuations8.Practical Assessment

Trainer/Assessor

Your trainer and assessor will issue you this module and give a time frame for it tobe completed by.

If you have any questions at any time you can contact your assessor at any time.

Once you have completed this module your assessor will discuss this it with you

to ensure your knowledge is sufficient to pass assessment.

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References

www.police.govt.nz

www.esr.cri.nz

Recommended Study Technique

1.Browse or read through this workbook to get the general idea of what it isabout.

2.Study each section and complete the Self Assessments at the end of theworkbook.

3.Complete the activities indicated at the end of this workbook and handthe evidence to your assessor for marking.

4.You will be advised of any areas that you may require further evidence on5.You will be advised when you have successfully completed this unit

standard.

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What is a White Powder Scare

White powder scares are items of mail or packages delivered to someone which

contain a white powder. The fear is created in the belief that the white powder is

a chemical such as cyanide or biological agent such as anthrax.

The threats must be taken seriously and fortunately many mail items containing

any powder are intercepted by the NZ Postal Service due to their screening

process.

Over the years numerous buildings, ranging from mail rooms, shopping centres,

offices and even parliamentary buildings in NZ have been evacuated because ofthis type of hoax.

In 2008 a Taranaki man was charged with sending a hoax letter containing a white

powder to parliament. The letter was opened by parliamentary staff from the

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Also in 2008 Rotorua hospital staff were evacuated due to the presence of white

powder found on letters. This proved to be a false alarm however the matter was

taken seriously due to the world wide fear of the presence of chemical orbiological agents in the mail.

In 2003 white powder was found in a CD case sent from the USA, police

evacuated a building at Otago University. No anthrax or other toxic agent was

found in the powder.

In 2003 Toboacco products were taken off the shelves after white powder was

found in a packet of tobacco. The incident was related to written threats of

cyanide poisoning made a few weeks before which threatened more poisoning if

war was declared in Iraq. The white powder was found to be baking flour. A 21

year old Tauranga man was charged over the incident and ordered to pay $15,000

reparation.

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In 2001 three letters were sent to various agencies including the US Embassy in

Wellington and the British High Commission offices. All the letters contained

threats of the use of cyanide. One of the letters actually contained cyanide.

What is Cyanide

Cyanide is a chemical mixture and has practical applications particularly in the

mining of gold and silver. However as a poisoning agent it has fatal capabilities. It

effectively replaces oxygen in your blood effectively thereby choking the body of

oxygen.

Historically cyanided has been used for poisonings. The most infamous use of

cyanide was the use of hydrogen cyanide by the Nazis to murder many people

during the holocaust of the Second World War.

Sodium cyanide is a deadly poison and is available and used widely in NZ in the

control of possums.

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium called

Bacillus anthracis. It is generally acquired following contact with anthrax-infected

animals or anthrax-contaminated animal products. Anthrax has received

heightened attention recently because of its use as a biological warfare agent.

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Standard Operating Procedures

Most standard operating procedures contain the advice that is given by the NZ

Police. The following information is available on at www.police.govt.nz and should

be written into all procedures for dealing with a mail threat.

How to deal with a suspicious unopened letter or package

Should any suspicious letters or packages be identified, then:

1.Do not shake or empty contents of envelope or package2.Place the envelope or package into a plastic bag3.If you have been wearing protective gloves then place them into the same

bag

4.If hands or any part of the body may have come into contact with theenvelope or package then wash with soap and water

5.Call the Police.

How to deal with a suspicious opened letter or package

Use the same procedures for unopened letters and packages (above), and also:

1.Put on gloves2.Place opened letter/package in a plastic bag3.If contents spilled

oDon't clean up or wipe spilt contentsoClear the area of peopleo Isolate the area

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oSwitch off air conditioningoWash hands with soap and water.

4.If contents are spilt on clothingoSelect a room for changingoRemove clothing and place in plastic bagoShower with soap and hot wateroChange into other clothes.

5.Call your local Police station.

The NZ Police also give the following list of factors that may help identifysuspicious letters or packages prior to them being opened.

y Excessive postagey Incorrect titlesy Title but no nameyMisspelling of common wordsy

Handwritten or poorly typed addresses

y Oily stains, discolourations or odoury No return addressy Excessive weighty Lopsided or uneven envelopey Protruding wires or aluminum foily Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etcy Visual distractionsy Ticking soundyMarked with restrictive endorsements, such as 'Personal' or 'Confidential'y Shows a city, state or province in the postmark that does not match the

return address.

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Activities

1.Read the attached information.

2.Complete the multi-choice test at the back of the module.

3.Check your business or security work site information and plans and see ifyou can identify the presence of standard operating procedures relating to

mail threats and the response to these threats.

4.Attach all the evidence to your workbook and hand to your assessor oncecompleted.

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White Powder Scares ....

Question 1

A common chemical agent used to poison people

is?a. Anthrax

b. Plague

c. Influenza

d. Cyanide

Question 2

A common biological agent used to poison

people thru the mail is?a. Anthrax

b. Plague

c. Influenza

d. Cyanide

Question 3

Has cyanide has been found in mail sent to

address in New Zealand?

a. yes

b. no

Question 4

Is cyanide easily available in NZ?

a. yes

b. no

Question 5

The process of having lots of water poured over

you after a white powder scare is called;

a. a workplace hazard

b. testing by ESR

c. decontamination

d. Criminal investigation

Question 6

The enquiry conducted by the police after a

white powder scare is called;

a. a workplace hazard

b. testing by ESR

c. decontamination

d. Criminal investigation

Question 7

The acronym ESR stands for;

a. Envronmental secret research

b. Embassy of reasearch

c. Environment of scientific research

d. Environmental Science & Research

Question 8

An example of suspicious mail could be;

a. Excessive weight

b. Stains

c. Unusual smell

d. White powder residue

Question 9

SOPs for dealing with unopebed suspicious mail

include;

a. Do not shake it

b. Place it into a plastic bag

c. Take it to the client for verification

d. Call the police

Question 10

SOPs for dealing with opened suspicious mail

include;

a. Clear the area

b. Put on gloves

c. Take it to the client for verification

d. Call the policed.

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