1-01 UNKNOWN SUBSTANCES

Question 0

Members of the department that respond to an incident involving a suspicious package/envelope shall adhere to the following guidelines

Answer 0

• Notify Bureau of Communications to have competent authority respond
• Have the patient walk away from the area of exposure (if possible) to another room or location that is isolated from other persons
• Limit the responders in the area to decrease the risk of exposure

Question 1

Is Anthrax contagious

Answer 1

NO
There must be substantial contact thru a opening in the skin and/or inhaled/ingested in a sufficient quantity to begin the infection. Person to person transmission of Anthrax has never been reported

Question 2

If a package is unopened and believed to present a hazard the unit shall

Answer 2

• Isolate the package
• Move any person believed to be contaminated to another isolated area
• Notify the Bureau of Communications and request the response of a SOD Team for hazard assessment, if the hazard assessment is positive the SOD Team will overpack the package

Question 3

The decision to decontaminate civilians or FDNY members will be made by

Answer 3

The IC in consultation with the NYC Department of Health

Question 4

If the package is opened, its contents will assumed to be hazardous and the unit shall

Answer 4

• Isolate the package
• Move any person believed to be contaminated to another isolated area
• Notify the Bureau of Communications and request the response of a SOD Team and a Squad Company for hazard assessment, the SOD Team shall overpack the package and mitigate the incident

Question 5

The use of masks and goggles are only necessary when operating at incidents

Answer 5

When your assessment tells you PPE is

Indicated

Question 6

If circumstances of the call lead you to a high index of suspicion that the patient has been exposed to an unknown substance released from a container or package members shall

Answer 6

• If the patient has a powder or other substance on their skin or clothing, ask the patient to remove their outer clothing
• If the patient is unable to undress himself put on PPE and remove the patients outer or exposed clothing
• Provide and protect the patient with a disposable garment or sheet
• The patients clothing shall be bagged by the patient (if possible) in a clear plastic bag and left with the competent authority on the scene
• Do not delay patient care
• Wash hands, face and other exposed skin with SOAP AND WATER