TB 180 - Drug Labs: Recognition and Hazards Flashcards

1
Q

Clandestine drug labs (“clan labs”) generally cause three main types of harm:

A

(1) physical injury from explosion, fire, chemical burns, and toxic fumes

(2) environmental hazards

(3) CHILD endangerment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

According to LAPD sources, the following are some common indicators of an illicit drug laboratory:

A

• Uninhabited structures and presence of toxic fumes or excessive amounts of trash, particularly chemical containers

• Robust security systems including video surveillance.

• Doors and windows are concealed, blackened out, or covered with aluminum foil.

• Large ventilation fans for fume dispersal, odor removal, and cooling processes.

• Presence of 55-gallon steel drums.

• Delivery of large amounts of ice or cooling agents.

• Strong distinct odor of ether or other volatile fuels/solvents.

• Illegal electrical wiring or the presence of large generators for power needs.

• Destruction of plant life may be noticeable due to dumping of chemicals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Fentanyl substances are reported to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

One of the most potent fentanyl analogues known as CARFENTANIL has a potency of ______ times that of morphine.

A

10,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Firefighters could inadvertently make entry into pill production sites and can potentially become exposed to the hazardous nature of narcotics (fentanyl).

The following SOG’s and Procedures must be considered:

A

• Hazard recognition.

• PPE requirements (per Department Bulletin No. 18-14).

• Rapid removal of personnel from hazardous area.

• Potential rescue or rapid extraction of viable victim(s).

• Rapid recognition of exposure: early signs of watering eyes or nose, to late signs of difficult respirations.

• Rapid treatment of naloxone (Narcan) and emergency decontamination for responders’ (including law enforcement officers) who feel symptomatic.

• Notification to JHAT.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

It has been estimated by the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area that _____% of illegal PCP laboratories are found because these volatile chemicals tend to EXPLODE or CATCH FIRE

A

30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Some of the lethal chemicals in production of PCP are potassium cyanide and hydrochloric (which when mixed creates HYDROGEN CYANIDE GAS).

Also, phenyl magnesium bromide is so volatile that it will explode when it comes in contact with ______.

A

Water

(This substance is usually recognized by the presence of magnesium turnings in a flask or container which is packed in ice (or dry ice). It is important to maintain this ice pack and not let any water enter the flask.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In the Los Angeles area, PCP is most commonly found in one of 3 forms:

A

(1) crystalline, which is inhaled or sprinkled on another substance

(2) liquid, which produces “angel dust” when mixed with leafy substances and dried tablets

(3) cigarettes dipped into the liquid often called “Kool” sticks or “Sherm” sticks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Every pound of methamphetamine produced generates _____ or more pounds of hazardous waste.
Illegal dumping of meth waste has contaminated sewers, septic tanks, fields, soils, and surface water. Treat these locations as a hazmat incident.

A

5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Of all the emerging threats in the drug manufacturing industry, and perhaps most dangerous is the process of _________.

These incidents pose a great danger to first responders due to the possibility of FIRE and EXPLOSION.

A

-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction.

(This process results in a drug commonly referred to as hash or honey oil, shatter, wax, or butane honey oil.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Butane Honey Oil Extraction:

A

-Extraction devices look like PIPE BOMBS with holes drilled into the end caps
-often 1-3/4” pipe approximately 1-1/2ft long
-Presence of butane canisters. (Propane, hexane also possible)
-Butane is:
-2x heavier than air
-explosive range of 1.8%-8.4%
-colorless, oderless
-high potential for ignition in enclosed spaces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Regardless of the legality of the operation, responses to MARIJUANA cultivation operations are inherently dangerous.

The three main hazards to responders include:

A

-Electrical Hazards

-Atmospheric Conditions: fertilizers and CO2

-Physical harm: “booby traps”, hostile persons (request LAPD when realizing grow op)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Due to the explosive potential of the materials used to manufacture a Pipe Bomb or BHO any device of suspicious nature SHALL NOT be touched, moved, or handled in any manner by _______. All devices shall be considered extremely dangerous and treated as such.

A

untrained Fire Department personnel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Best practices for drug lab safety include:

A

-Evacuating the immediate area

-Eliminating all potential ignition sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Drug Lab Safety:

Members on scene should consider using the department GAS METERS to monitor ________ in areas that must be occupied for hazard control or rescue operations.

A

lower explosive limit (LEL) levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Drug Lab Safety

Notify MFC of the hazards and consider requesting the following internal and external resources:

A

-Hazmat Squad/TF: atmospheric monitoring, aid in notification process, decon

-Joint Hazard Assessment Team (JHAT): offer expertise, make notifications, coordinate external agencies

-LAFD Arson/Counterterrorism: investigate post fire or explosion

-LAPD Bomb Squad

-LAPD/LASD(Sheriffs) HazMat Unit

-LA Impact/LAPD lab squad: invest clandestine drug labs

-LAFD “Cannabis Unit” of FPB: determine legal/illegal grow ops

-LAFD “Legal Unit” of FPB: deal with illegal ramifications of unlicensed ops

-LAFD “Fire Department Services” of FPB: control permitting of cannabis processing/extraction facilities.

(DOES NOT mention any kind of CHIEF)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

With the complex and dynamic nature of incidents involving drug manufacturing, many different public and private agencies will be responding.

In these situations, contact _______ to act as a liaison and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME).

A

JHAT

17
Q

When LAFD resources are requested by LAPD or other Law Enforcement agencies to assist at a drug lab scene, RISK MANAGEMENT and firefighter SAFETY shall be considered, including:

A

(1) Always make contact with the Law Enforcement (LE) Officer in charge of the incident. Best practice is to communicate with a Unified CP and ensure any assistance request has IC approval

(2) Ensure from the Law Enforcement “Officer in Charge” (OIC) that the target location is “Code 4” or “all clear” with the suspect in custody.

(3) In addition, if performing forcible entry into a potential cannabis or drug manufacturing location, ensure that no threat (person, gas, IED…) is present within or around the structure.

(4) If the incident includes an active shooter or barricaded suspect, follow the operational guidelines provided in Training Bulletin No. 135, “Fire Department Operations at Tactical Law Enforcement and Active Shooter Incidents.”

(If the above considerations are not met, STOP your actions and delay engagement until the LAPD supervisor makes contact with LAPD Metropolitan Division for assistance)

18
Q

If there is any disagreement between LAPD and LAFD onscene of a drug lag operation, request shall be made through MFC to have an LAFD _______ attached to the incident. In addition, consider JHAT on-call member for SME or liaison.

A

battalion commander

19
Q

The immediate role of the LAFD is to work within our _______ priorities.

A

-Tactical

(Rescue, Hazard Control, Loss Limiting, Victim/Occupant Stabilization, and SAFETY).

20
Q

LAFD members shall remember drug lab incidents have LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS.

Care shall be taken to protect ______ needed for possible prosecution.

A

-evidence

(Any fire department contact with evidence has the potential to weaken prosecution efforts and break the chain of custody for booked evidence.)

21
Q

At the scene of a structure fire, exploding gas canisters can contribute to fire intensity, and become rocket projectiles upon B.L.E.V.E.

What does B.L.E.V.E stand for?

A

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

22
Q

To enhance the growth of plants, cannabis cultivators utilize fertilizers and CO2 (carbon dioxide).

The use of CO2 is hazardous to first responders because?

A

CO2 can displace O2 (oxygen) creating an oxygen deficient atmosphere

23
Q

If the presence of fentanyl is suspected, members must take protective measures: considering the “TIME, DISTANCE, and SHIELDING” principles.

At a minimum:

A

-wear gloves

-avoid actions which could cause powders to become airborne

-use a properly fitted NIOSH respirator mask and eye protection

-minimize any potential skin contact.

24
Q

The number one priority in dealing with drug labs is _______.

A

SAFETY

25
Q

Heroin is not produced in the US, but is commonly “MILLED” (wholesale quantities broken down and packaged into mid-level and retail quantities).

This is usually done in _________.

A

private homes and apartments.