Chapter 16 Flashcards
MIssion-Specific illicit laboratory incident training have the following responsibilities (9)
Implement scene control procedures
Select and use PPE
Select detection, Monitoring, and sampling equipment
Implement technical decontamination for personnel
Secure an illicit laboratory
Identify and isolate hazards
Identify safety hazards by conducting a joint hazardous materials/Hazardous devices assessment operation
Decontaminate potential suspects and tactical law enforcement, personnel, weapons, and law enforcement canines
Complete required reports and supporting documentation for illicit laboratory response operations.
A successful response also requires establishing
Unified command and developing the IAP accounting for potential hazards and jurisdictional responsibilities
The most common location for illicit or clandestine laboratories include (7)
Private residences
Motel and hotel rooms
campers/RVs
Vehicles
Rental storage facilities
Commercial establishments
Rural outbuildings, barns, and other structures that may appear uninhabitable
According to the DEA and ATF the most common laboratory waste dumpsites are (5)
Campgrounds
Vacant lots
Creek Beds
Dumpsters
Residential Parks
Booby traps can be inside or outside of the lab and they may include any of the following (6)
Explosives
Weapons tied to doors
Bottles that will break mixing their chemical contents to produce toxic fumes
Holes in floors (Trap doors)
Exposed wiring, electrified door handles
Motion triggered devices
Properly trained public safety bomb technicians should clear potential anti-personnel devices. take the following actions to avoid booby traps (8)
limit personnel entering a suspected hazardous area
use intrinsically safe equipment
take aerial photographs for reconnaissance prior to entry
Avoid Complacency
Refrain from handling, touching or moving items in or around the lab
Check doors and openings for wires and or traps before opening look for alternative means of egress and entry
Avoid powering lab equipment on or off
Consult with subject matter experts (SMEs) prior to handling or dismatling unknown or unfamiliar equipment ( Such as chemistry glassware)
If you are the first to discover or detect the presence of an illicit lab uses the following 9 guideline
Do not disturb the lab in anyway
Do no alter utilities by turning them or or off
remain mindful of the potential for booby traps
Evacuate the surrounding area
Request appropriate personnel or SMEs evaluate scene safety
Do not operate switches or turn lights on or off
use extreme caution in your movements
Back out the way you entered
Request appropriate resources
According to the DEA the following 5 examples are drugs and their derivatives that are manufactured in illicit labs within the U.S.
Cocaine
Designer drugs and New psychoactive substances NPS
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids
Marijuana/THC extraction/Cannabinoid
Methamphetamine
3 most common varieties of NPS available and abused in the U.S.
Synthetic cannabinoids- Synthetic cannabinoids (K2 or spice) consist chemicals commonly applied to plant material designed to be smoke or suspended in a oil form to be used in e-cigarettes
Synthetic cathinones- Synthetic cathinones (bath salts) are powdered or crystal chemicals usually consumed in powder, tablet, or capsule form
Hallucinogens- Hallucinogens (LSD) ecstasy and MDMA, may be produced in illicit laboratories or found in plants
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is
A schedule 1 drug, is a biosynthetic precursor of THC present in live marijuana plants
THCA is Extracted from undried cannabis plants and is typically
Clear or white with texture of crystals powder or oil
THCA converts to THC when
Heated
3 Potential hazards to firefighters or police officers responding to the residence in an emergency situation include
Overloaded or altered electrical systems with loose and entangled wires
Flammable fertilizers and solvents
Holes cut into subfloors for venting
Large Laboratories AKA Superlabs produce
10 pounds of drug per production cycle
Smaller laboratories AKA one pot generally produce
two ounces or less of meth per production cycle making them easy to conceal
The Red P method of cooking meth Produces
By product phosphine gas, a highly toxic flammable gas some other byproducts include oxidizers
Individuals exposed to meth lab before decontamination and ventilation may experience the following 9 Symptoms
Headaches Nausea
Dizziness Fatigue
SOB Coughing
C/P Lack of coordination
Burns
The Following 3 clues may indicate a chemical lab
Reference materials
Chemicals that manufacturers would not typically use to make meth or other illegal drugs such as
Organophosphate pesticides
Cyanides or Acids
Methyl iodide and phosphorus trichloride which may indicate attempts to make sarin
Lab equipment sophisticated enough to conduct the chemical reactions needed to make chemical agents
4 Types of Detectors available for CWAs include
Chemical agent monitors and detectors
Chemical agent detector kits
chemical detection papers
Ticket detection devices
Illicit biological agent manufacture falls under three categories
Bacteria
Viruses
Biological toxins
Biological labs will have equipment that my include (7)
Microscopes,
petri dishes
growth media
autoclaves
gloveboxes
incubators
refrigerators
Some common ingredients that responder may find in peroxide-based explosives lab include the following (5)
Acetone
Hexamine (solid fuel for camp stoves)
Strong or weak acids (such as sulfuric or citric acids)
Ethanol
Hydrogen peroxide
4 Examples of radiological materials may include
Industrial radiography sources
Radiopharmaceuticals
Radiochemistry materials
Smoke detectors
Specially trained personnel and equipment mitigate and detect the hazards in radiological laboratories equipment must include
A dose rate meter and contamination survey meter
Law enforcement may complete the following (5)
Neutralizing tactical threats
Rendering safe and explosive ordnance or booby traps
Taking full accountability and identifying all personnel in the crime scene
Documenting any items disturbed within the crime scene
Protecting evidence from potential damage or destruction
Operations level responders will support law enforcement when trained with (7)
Investigative law enforcement leadership
Search warrant requirements
Rules of evidence
Crime scene documentation
Photography policies
Evidence of custodial requirements and chain of custody
Specific requirements set forth by the prosecuting attorney
Monitoring and detection equipment may include (6)
LEL sensor
Multigas mete
PID
TIC or Temperature gun
Reagent papers
Radiological monitoring equipment that can detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
Agencies should anticipate the following potential 6 sources requiring decontamination
Uninjured tactical operators Uninjured suspects
Injured tactical operators Injured suspects
Canines Tactical equipment
Responders should follow the AHJ to develop a remediation plan assistance and information should come from (6)
Local or state health departments
Emergency management agencies
DEA
EPA
State/Local environmental agencies/Departments
Some jurisdictions may hire private contractors to perform remediation activities
Agencies should write a After Action Report (AAR) after each incident this report
Summarizes the incident and provides recommendations for correcting problems based on the lessons learned.
