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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! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !