philadelphia police department directive 45. ensure department emergency plans are readily available...

PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVE 4.2

SUBJECT: HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENTS

INDEX

SECTION TITLE PAGE NUMBER

1 Purpose 1

2 Policy 1

3 Definitions 2

4 Procedures 3

5 Supervisory/Command Responsibilities 6

6 Incident Reporting – Investigation 7

Documentation

7 Decontamination/Exposure Procedures 9

8 Security at Hazardous Material Incidents 10

Clean Up Sites

Appendix “A” Hazmat Identifiers

Appendix “B” Cost Recovery – Hazardous Materials Incident

Hazardous Material Cost Recovery Sheet

Appendix “C” Chempack Deployment

Issued Date: 01-22-02 Effective Date: 01-22-02 Updated Date: 04-01-13

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 1


SUBJECT: HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENTS

1. PURPOSE A. The purpose of this directive is to provide basic guidelines for police officers to follow

in the event of a hazardous materials incident, in order to maximize the protection of

life and property. Knowledge is an officer’s greatest tool in defense against a

hazardous material injury or death. Unnecessary exposure to, or poor response to, a

hazardous materials incident could prove fatal to police personnel and or civilians.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. POLICY A. Police personnel responding to, or arriving on the scene of any incident suspected of

involving, or having the potential of involving any unknown chemical, will treat the

situation as a Hazardous Material Incident, hereafter in this directive referred to as a

HAZMAT incident, and will comply with the procedures outlined in this directive.

B. Personnel will initiate the procedures outlined in this directive to obtain the

identification of the chemical(s) on the scene and immediately notify Police Radio.

When situations are suspicious and the substance(s) are not known, personnel will

contact Police Radio who will notify the Fire Communications Center (FCC).

C. The Philadelphia Fire Department is the lead agency at all HAZMAT incidents. The

highest-ranking fire officer present will be the overall incident/scene commander.

*1 D. The Inspector, Counter-Terrorism Bureau, Domestic Preparedness Division, or his/her

designee will be the coordinator for all on scene police operations and when necessary,

direct Police Radio to implement pertinent Department emergency plans and/or Annex

“H” of the Philadelphia Emergency Operations Plan.

*1 1. The Inspector, Counter- Terrorism Bureau, Domestic Preparedness Division, or

his/her designee, will maintain on-going liaison with the Fire Department

HAZMAT Officer, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Philadelphia

Local Emergency Planning Committee. A log will be maintained of all HAZMAT

incidents.

Issued Date: 01-22-02 Effective Date: 01-22-02 Updated Date: 12-27-02

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 2

E. Rescue and evacuation of contaminated casualties will be directed by the incident/

scene commander. Police personnel will aid and support Fire Department rescue

efforts when directed to do so by the scene commander.

3. DEFINITIONS A. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -- Any solid, liquid, or gas which, because of its

flammability, combustibility, corrosiveness, explosiveness, toxicity, radioactivity,

carcinogenic nature, or bioactivity poses a threat to the health and safety of humans, the

environment, and/or the destruction of property, and any substance designated as

hazardous under state and/or federal regulations or city ordinances.

B. HAZARDOUS WASTE -- Any substance which is ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or

toxic or which may pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health and safety

and to the environment when improperly managed.

C. HAZMAT INCIDENT -- A release, spill, leak, collision, or explosion in which one or

more hazardous materials, including hazardous waste or clandestine labs pose a threat

to the health and safety of the community and/or the environment.

D. HAZMAT ZONES -- Designated by overall incident/scene commander:

HOT ZONE - Contaminated area: ONLY firefighters, and Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) personnel wearing protective clothing/gear will be permitted.

WARM ZONE - Decontamination/reduction area: Access area to and from hot/cold

zones. ONLY firefighters, EPA personnel, and personnel approved by the incident/

scene commander are permitted.

COLD ZONE - Support/staging areas, traffic posts, etc. This zone is the "scene

perimeter."

E. PLACARDS/LABELS -- Regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT)

and provide identification of hazardous materials by use of a four-digit number system

on various colored placards/labels. See current DOT Emergency Response Guidebook.

F. DECONTAMINATION -- Procedures (showers, wash downs, etc.) used to prevent or

reduce the physical transfer of contaminants by personnel and/or equipment from the

incident. The Fire Department is the lead agency providing DECON procedures.

G. HAZMAT FILE -- An automated file of the current DOT Emergency Response

Guidebook which can be accessed via the Department PCIC/CLEAN terminal.

A complete printout pertinent to the inquiry is received.

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 3

H. PERSON-IN-CHARGE (PIC) -- An individual designated by a facility, vessel,

truck/rail company as the person-in-charge during an emergency involving their

respective operations. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. PROCEDURES A. Police Radio, upon receiving information that an incident involving hazardous

materials is occurring will:

1. Notify the supervisor, FCC who will notify the Managing Director when required,

and all pertinent response agencies.

2. Monitor information given to the FCC by complainant, then transmit citywide the

following data when known, and continue periodic updated broadcasts:

SCENE CONDITIONS - Release/Leak/Spill - Explosion/Fire - extent of damage

PRODUCT IDENTITY - Proper name of chemical/substance, if known

NOTE: When the proper name and/or the four-digit "UN" number is known, obtain

a CLEAN computer printout from the automated HAZMAT file by

contacting PCIC.

HEALTH HAZARD - Poisonous, toxicity, body irritant, etc.

SAFETY WARNINGS - Safe distance, upwind/upgrade evacuations, etc. Prohibit

eating, drinking, smoking at or near the scene, and the use of flares. Keep vehicles

away from the scene, away from run-off, with engines off.

3. Dispatch command/supervisory/patrol personnel to the perimeter of the incident

and direct all responding personnel to switch to "M" Band:

Locations Functions

Scene Perimeters Vehicle/pedestrian traffic control

Staging Area Communications, support, evacuations

Command Post Intra-agency field headquarters

Incident analysis/chronology

Documentation/investigation

Deployment of personnel/equipment

*1

.

REDACTED - LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 4

5. Ensure Department emergency plans are readily available as needed to support

operations.

6. Ensure notification of command personnel as directed in the pertinent emergency

plan, Annex "H" and Directive 4.6, "Fires, Disasters, Catastrophes, and Other

Emergencies Involving Joint Action of Service Departments."

7. When requested, dispatch a radio patrol car (RPC) from a neighboring unaffected

district to provide transportation for other city departments and emergency

response personnel. Utilize special patrol units when necessary.

a. If no neighboring district RPC is available, use special unit in the order of

appearance below:

Mounted Patrol Unit

Canine Unit

Accident Investigation District.

8. When an incident occurs on or near a waterway, the Marine Unit and the US Coast

Guard will be notified.

B. Police personnel arriving on the scene of a suspected HAZMAT incident will

accomplish three (3) basic missions.

Secure the scene

Render first-aid when safe to do so; and

Initiate identification process of the suspected hazardous material

1. Securing the scene, police will:

a. Update Police Radio immediately upon arrival giving scene conditions and safe

routes of travel for responding personnel.

b. Treat the scene of all HAZMAT incidents as crime scenes, following the

procedures in Directive 4.1, “Responsibilities at Crime Scenes”.

c. When the incident is a suspected HAZMAT incident, approach the scene from

upwind and uphill of the scene, when possible.

d. Upon arrival at assigned post/area, be observant to the conditions in your

immediate area and report to Police Radio any hazardous conditions (smoke,

odors, irritants, etc.).


DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 5

e. Move and keep people away from the scene and direct all parties wishing to

enter to utilize the staging area.

f. Do not walk on or touch any spilled material.

g. Avoid inhaling or coming into contact with fumes, smoke, and vapors even if

no hazardous materials are involved.

h. If conditions in the immediate area become hazardous/unsafe, notify Police

Radio and relocate immediately.

NOTE: Added shielding; such as closed vehicle windows, use of maximum

re-circulating-internal setting on vehicle air conditioner, rain gear,

gloves, boots, etc., may provide limited protection and should be

utilized if needed (evacuation, hazard presence, etc.).

i. Monitor Police Radio broadcasts of updated information and scene conditions

(use public address speakers when outside police vehicles). Adhere to all

applicable instructions broadcast by Police Radio.

j. Police personnel will reroute traffic from the outer perimeter and keep open

ingress/egress routes for emergency response equipment.

k. Police personnel will notify Police Radio when assistance or transportation is

requested by other city department, state, or federal environmental officials.

2. Rendering first aid, police will:

a. Carefully assess the scene before rushing in to help victims. Observe the

activities on the scene, noting if there are;

Casualties -- unconsciousness, trouble breathing, nausea, burns, skin/eye

irritations, irrational/disoriented behavior.

Fires, explosions, smoke cloud/plume, irritant odors/vapors, leaks and spills.

Observation of these conditions should be conducted from an upwind/upgrade

position.

b. When the situation is a suspected HAZMAT incident police should only render

first aid or attempt a rescue after:

Proper identification of the substance has been made

Health hazards have been made known

Proper protective equipment/clothing is made available

Verifying with the incident commander that transportation can be done without

decontamination

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 6

3. Establish if hazardous materials are involved by identifying the suspected

hazardous materials through;

a. Information received from Police Radio.

b. Type of facility - chemical plant, refinery, processing plant, vehicle, rail car,

ship/barge, container, pressurized tank, drum, or barrel.

c. Information received from on scene fire personnel, person-in-charge of the

facility, and/or operator of involved vehicle/vessel.

d. Observation of DOT placarding/labeling identification system, or the

information on shipping papers/cargo manifest. Transmit this information

immediately to Police Radio who will notify PCIC to access the HAZMAT file.

DOT placarding/labeling are marked with four (4) digits, initially identifying

the type of material being transported (see Appendix “A” for examples).

Shipping papers/cargo manifests can be obtained from the operator or operators

area of the vehicle transporting the materials.

5. SUPERVISORY/COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES A. On-Scene Supervisor will:

1. Locate the overall incident/scene commander from the Fire Department and

provide Police Radio with updated information.

2. Establish vehicle and pedestrian detours.

3. Organize a staging area a safe distance (upwind/upgrade) from the incident.

Follow the recommended distance listed in the DOT Emergency Response

Guidebook, the directions provided by the overall incident/scene commander, and

Police Radio.

4. Assign a communications vehicle to initiate a chronological log of incident events

and a roster of personnel: names, district/unit, arrival/departure times, and

assignment(s)/location(s). ALL PERSONNEL PRESENT AT THE INCIDENT

WILL BE RECORDED. (Utilize Crime Scene Log (75-616) for this purpose.)

5. Request Police Radio to notify detective division of occurrence when incident is

founded.

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 7

B. Command Personnel will:

1. Coordinate police operations with Department HAZMAT Officer, overall

incident/scene commander from the Fire Department, and the Managing Director's

representative at an inter-agency command post.

2. Assign police personnel as needed to perform the following:

Support Fire Department operations

Transportation of casualties, when it is within the means of police capabilities,

keeping the safety of both the victim(s) and officers in mind.

Perimeter crowd/vehicle control

Staging/support area staffing

Communications/chronological log

Evacuation operations

Patrol temporary shelters

Logistical support - barricades, radios, etc.

Incident investigation ______________________________________________________________________________

6. INCIDENT REPORTING-INVESTIGATION-DOCUMENTATION A. A Complaint or Incident Report (75-48) will be prepared on all HAZMAT incidents in

accordance with the Philadelphia Crime Classification and Coding Manual. In addition

to this notification, a 75-48 computer message will be sent to the Bomb Disposal Unit

on computer terminal "BDUT".

1. Operations Room Supervisor will ensure that the 75-48 is properly coded and the

necessary investigative unit (detectives, AID, Narcotics, etc.) has been notified.

a. HAZMAT CARRIERS involved in a chemical release and no vehicle accident:

a 75-48 will be submitted by the reporting officer, and an Investigation Report

(75-49) to follow by the detective division of occurrence.

b. HAZMAT CARRIERS involved in a vehicle accident with no chemical release

will be reported and investigated per procedures in Directive 9.6, "Vehicular

Accidents."

c. HAZMAT carriers involved in a vehicle accident AND a chemical release:

a handwritten Police Crash Report (AA-45) will be submitted by the

reporting officer; AID will investigate the accident and submit a typewritten

AA-45 and any other required reports. The detective division of occurrence

will investigate the chemical release and obtain an additional DC number and

submit a 75-48 and a 75-49.

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 8

d. All other HAZMAT Incidents will be recorded by the reporting officer on a

75-48. An investigation will be conducted and a 75-49 will be submitted by the

detective division of occurrence. A copy of this report will be forwarded to

the Bomb Disposal Unit.

B. Investigator Responsibilities

1. Investigators will report to the highest ranking on scene police commander and be

guided by the provisions outlined in Directive 4.1, "Responsibilities at Crime

Scenes."

2. Photographs, scene search, recovery of evidence/samples, etc. will ONLY be

conducted after clearance by the overall incident/scene commander. Environmental

enforcement agencies and their expertise will be requested to assist when

necessary.

3. At the completion of the incident, the assigned investigator will obtain the

chronological log of events.

4. Information to be included in the 75-49 when applicable:

Type of HAZMAT incident

Responsible party

Product/Substance released

Amount of release

Release point (sewers, streets, soils, waterways)

Action taken by police

Police manpower commitment, hours expended

Number/types of police equipment at incident

Response by other City departments (Fire, Licenses and Inspections,

Managing Director, etc.)

Response by US Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of

Environmental Protection

Fatalities/injuries

Number of evacuations and duration

Temporary shelters used

C. The Bomb Disposal Unit will conduct further investigations of all HAZMAT

incidents and will submit Supplemental Report(s) (75-52). Post-incident analysis will

be coordinated by the Department HAZMAT Officer, Fire Department HAZMAT

Officer, and include the Fire Marshal, District Attorney, City Solicitor, and other

response agency representatives.

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 9

D. In any case where preliminary investigation indicates intentional illegal disposal or

mislabeling of materials by individuals or corporate entities, the Bomb Disposal Unit

should be notified and copies of 75-49 will be forwarded.

E. Ensure that the on-line Incident Transmittal (INCT) is accurate and complete. ______________________________________________________________________________

7. DECONTAMINATION/EXPOSURE PROCEDURES A. The Fire Department incident scene commander will establish decontamination

station(s) when necessary for police personnel, equipment, and vehicles.

B. The overall police commander will consult with the Fire Department incident/scene

commander as to the need for decontamination and/or post incident medical

screening/treatment.

1. Police personnel present at a HAZMAT incident or who require decontamination as

a result of an exposure to hazardous materials, will submit a memorandum via the

chain of command to the Department HAZMAT Officer, who will review

submitted memorandums with the Fire Department HAZMAT Administrative

Officer and forward with any needed remarks to the Police Safety Officer.

a. Memorandum will consist of the following information in numbered order:

Officer’s name, badge, payroll number and district/unit of assignment

Date of incident

Tour of duty on that date

Location of incident

District control number and any corresponding division control number(s)

Location of assignment

Exposure times

Decontamination procedures (if performed, type, where, by whom, etc.)

Treatment/screening conducted (on scene/hospital, by whom, etc.)

Hazardous material present (if known)

Immediate on-scene supervisor/commander

Was an injury report submitted

Additional comments

2. The Police Safety Officer will review the memorandums and consult with the

contracted medical facilities for any post screening/treatment that may be required.

NOTE: The Police Safety Officer will schedule screening/treatment for the

officer(s) when necessary, and return the memorandum with notation as to

any action taken, to the Police Personnel Officer who will place the

memorandum in the officer's personnel file and forward a copy to the

submitting officer.

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 10

C. Police personnel who incur an acute or chronic illness or injury resulting from exposure

to hazardous materials, will follow the procedures outlined in Directive 12.14, "Injuries

on Duty and Other Service Connected Disabilities," and submit an Exposure

Memorandum (as described above). ______________________________________________________________________________

8. SECURITY AT HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENTS CLEAN-UP SITE A. Commanding Officer:

1. The commanding officer, district of occurrence, shall be responsible for providing

security at a HAZMAT site for the first 24 hours.

2. If the HAZMAT site cannot be secured after 24 hours, the commanding officer,

district of occurrence, with the assistance of the Hazardous Materials Division of

the Fire Department, will assess the site and prepare a memorandum to the Police

Commissioner.

a. The memorandum will advise the Police Commissioner of what security

provisions for the site are necessary, i. e., barricades, signs, building sealing,

fencing, private security, and any other measures deemed cost effective.

3. The commanding officer, district of occurrence, will monitor security at the site

until the site has been rendered safe by the contracted disposal company and/or the

Police Commissioner directs other arrangements. ______________________________________________________________________________

RELATED PROCEDURES: Directive 4.1, Responsibility at Crime Scenes

Directive 4.6, Fires, Disasters, Catastrophes and Other

Emergencies Involving Joint Action of

Service Departments

Directive 9.6, Reporting of Vehicular Accidents

Directive 12.14, Injuries on Duty and Other Service

Connected Disabilities

______________________________________________________________________________

BY COMMAND OF THE POLICE COMMISSIONER ______________________________________________________________________________

*FOOTNOTE # GEN # DATE SENT REVISION

*1 6019 12-27-02 Change

1612 04-01-13 Add Appdx “C”

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 1 APPENDIX “A”


APPENDIX "A"

SUBJECT: HAZMAT IDENTIFIERS ______________________________________________________________________________

1. EXAMPLE OF SHIPPING PAPERS The below illustration is an example of what shipping papers look like, however their

format can vary. With certain exceptions, shipping papers identifying hazardous

materials are required to be in:

the cab of the motor vehicle,

the possession of the train crew member,

a holder on the bridge of a vessel, or

an aircraft pilot’s possession

______________________________________________________________________________

II. EXAMPLE OF PLACARD AND PANEL WITH ID NUMBER The 4-digit ID Number may be shown on the diamond-shaped placard or on an adjacent

orange panel displayed on the ends and sides of a cargo tank, vehicle or rail car.

A Numbered

Placard

or

A Placard

and an

Orange Panel

1219

Issued Date: 01-22-02 Effective Date: 01-22-02 Updated Date:

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 2 APPENDIX “A”

____________________________________________________________________________________

BY COMMAND OF THE POLICE COMMISSIONER

______________________________________________________________________________

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 1 APPENDIX “B”


APPENDIX “B”

SUBJECT: COST RECOVERY – HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS ______________________________________________________________________________

1. PURPOSE

A. The purpose of this policy is to provide basis guidelines to be followed in order for the

Police Department to be able to recover costs expended during the handling of a

Hazardous Materials Incident (HAZMAT). Under Pennsylvania Act 165 entitled,

“Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning and Response Act”, the Police Department

is entitled to recover costs relating to a hazardous materials incident response.

B. Pursuant to this directive, the Inspector, Counter-Terrorism Bureau, Domestic

Preparedness Division, or his/her designee, will maintain an on-going liaison with the

Fire Department HAZMAT Officer, the Office of Emergency Management, and the

Philadelphia Local Emergency Planning Committee.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. POLICY A. Upon notification of a Hazardous Materials Incident, Police Radio will make all normal

Command notification with emphasis placed on notifying the Counter Terrorism

Operations Unit, on-call Hazardous Materials Technician of the event. All available

information will be supplied at this time, including the locations of the Fire Department

HAZMAT Unit staging location.

B. The Counter Terrorism Operations Unit, Hazardous Materials Technician will respond

to the location and ensure first that all guidelines contained in this directive are being

adhered to. Besides preparing a post-incident HAZMAT Incident Report, personnel

will also be required to prepare a HAZMAT Incident Cost Recovery Report as outlined

in this directive.

C. Police Finance has been designated as the billing agency for the Police Department.

______________________________________________________________________________

3. PROCEDURES

A. Police Radio, upon receiving information that an incident involving hazardous

materials has occurred will:



1. Immediately notify the Counter Terrorism Operations Unit, Hazardous Materials

Technician of the incident. All pertinent available information will be supplied at

this time.

B. Counter Terrorism Operations Unit supervisory personnel, upon notification will

respond to the scene, establish a liaison with the highest ranking on-scene police

supervisor and the Fire Department’s HAZMAT Officer in order to provide all

necessary assistance pursuant to this directive, and:

1. Ascertain if there is a responsible party identified for the incident and gather all

pertinent information that will be necessary for billing purposes.

2. Coordinate with the highest ranking Police supervisor to ascertain what

Districts/Units have personnel and equipment assigned to the incident, including

post-incident security.

3. Within 24 hours of the incident, the Counter Terrorism Operations Unit technician

will send to the Commanding Officer of each responding District/Unit an e-mail

consisting of the incident information, a copy of this policy and a copy of the

Hazardous Materials Incident – Cost Recovery Sheet. The suspense date for

preparing this sheet will be three (3) working days.

4. Completed monthly Cost Recovery reports will be hand delivered to Police Finance

on the first business day of the next month.

5. A complete report of each incident will be filed at the Counter Terrorism

Operations Unit headquarters.

6. Counter Terrorism Operations Unit will generate a monthly report to the

Commanding Officer, Domestic Response and Patrol Division with all Cost

Recovery requests.

C. The Commanding Officer (s) of the Districts/Units that responded to the incident will

receive an e-mail with this policy and a Hazardous Materials Incident – Cost Recovery

Sheet. Upon receiving the e-mail, Commanding Officer will:

1. Designate a supervisor to prepare the Cost Recovery Sheet with all pertinent

information and documentation.

2. Ensure all manpower hours per rank (straight and overtime), along with

vehicle/equipment usage will be documented on this sheet.

3. Ensure that the report is accurate and returned electronically to the Counter

Terrorism Operations Unit by the given suspense date.


4. Ensure that, a paper copy of the completed Cost Recovery Sheet, a copy of

available reports (i.e., 75-48, 75-49, etc.) and copies of the Patrol Activity Logs

(75-158) of responding personnel will be sent to the Counter Terrorism Operations

Unit via Police mail.

D. Police Finance, upon receiving the completed package from the Counter Terrorism

Operations Unit will:

1. Ensure that all information needed to bill a responsible party is sufficient for the

billing process.

2. Bill the responsible party using current billing practices.

______________________________________________________________________________

BY COMMAND OF THE POLICE COMMISSIONER ______________________________________________________________________________

Philadelphia Police Department

Counter Terrorism Operations Unit

Hazardous Materials Incident - Cost Recovery Sheet

DC # Det. Control # Date

Location of Occur. Time of Assign.

Rank Name Badge Vehicle # Assignment (Communications,

Traffic, etc.)

Total Hours

Prepared By: C.T.O. Supervisor

DIRECTIVE 4.2 - 1 APPENDIX “C”


APPENDIX “C”

SUBJECT: CHEMPACK DEPLOYMENT ______________________________________________________________________________

1. PURPOSE A. CHEMPACK is a program that places federal caches of nerve agent antidotes in

communities throughout the nation. Although the assets are federally-owned by the

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they are available to

communities for use if there is an accidental or intentional nerve agent and/or

organophosphate release and all local resources have been depleted. These caches are

stored in pre-approved facilities and kept under strict environmental and security

controls.

B. A deliberate or accidental nerve agent release can occur anywhere. Any major release

would most likely require large supplies of nerve agent antidotes.

C. Police personnel responding to, or arriving on the scene of any incident suspected of

involving, or having the potential of involving any unknown chemical, nerve agent

and/or organophosphate release will follow the procedures outlined in Directive 4.2,

“Hazardous Materials Incidents”.

D. This directive establishes policies and procedures for managing, activating, deploying,

and mobilizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Center and Prevention (CDC)

CHEMPACK program within the City of Philadelphia in the event of a deliberate or

accidental nerve agent release requiring large supplies of nerve agent antidotes.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. DEFINITION CHEMPACK is a sustainable repository of nerve agent antidotes to care for individuals

exposed to nerve agents, including but not limited to auto-injectors, bulk symptomatic

treatment supplies, and self-monitoring storage containers.

______________________________________________________________________________

3. POLICY

A. The Philadelphia Police Department will support the City of Philadelphia Managing

Director’s Office of Emergency Management CHEMPACK Plan. In the aftermath of

an incident or large scale exposure, the focus will become response activities designed

to mitigate both the loss of life and the destruction of property.



B. CHEMPACK operations will be conducted pursuant to the National Response Plan

(NRP) and in compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

CHEMPACK assets include pharmaceuticals specific to the treatment of exposure to

nerve agents and organophosphates, but are not effective in treating other forms of

chemical warfare agents. CHEMPACK containers have been pre-positioned

throughout the state. If local resources are exhausted or unavailable, the decision to

deploy CHEMPACK operational guidelines are NIMS compliant to ensure operational

integration with state, regional and local emergency management plans.

C. The Philadelphia Fire Department is usually the lead agency in Hazardous Materials

Incidents as outlined in Directive 4.2. In incidents of accidental or intentional nerve

agent and/or organophosphate release that involve criminal activity or suspected acts of

terrorism, a unified command will be established and Homeland Security Bureau

Commanders will represent the Police Department. The FBI will be the investigative

lead supported by police personnel assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and

Counter Terror Operations Unit.

D. CHEMPACK containers will be stored at secure sites within Philadelphia County at

places to maximize geographic coverage. Actual locations will be kept confidential.

In the event of a deliberate or accidental nerve agent release, first responders and

planners must be able to quickly mobilize resources to minimize and neutralize the

effect of an exposure involving chemical agents. This would require the response

assessment and on-going management of an incident involving the coordinated efforts

of numerous agencies such as fire, EMS, public health, hospitals office of emergency

management (OEM),and law enforcement.

______________________________________________________________________________

4. PROCEDURES A. A suspected nerve agent release in Philadelphia may be identified by first responders or

a hospital physician.

B. Police personnel may be the first to identify that a suspected nerve agent release has

occurred in Philadelphia. If police personnel are the first to suspect a nerve agent

release, Police Radio will:

1. Notify the Fire Communications Center (FCC) supervisor who will notify all

pertinent response agencies.

2. Notify the Inspector, Domestic Preparedness Division, via telephone and computer

“RSAN” message.


3. Transmit citywide the following data when known and continue periodic updated

broadcasts:

a. SCENE CONDITIONS - Release/Leak/Spill - Explosion/Fire - extent of

damage – wind and weather conditions.

b. PRODUCT IDENTITY - Proper name of chemical/substance, if known

c. HEALTH HAZARD - Poisonous, toxicity, body irritant, etc.

d. SAFETY WARNINGS - Safe distance, upwind/upgrade evacuations, etc.

Prohibit eating, drinking, smoking at or near the scene, and the use of flares.

Keep vehicles away from the scene, away from run-off, with engines off.

4. Dispatch command/supervisory/patrol personnel to the perimeter of the incident

and direct all responding personnel to switch to "M" Band:

Locations Functions

Scene Perimeters Vehicle/pedestrian traffic control

Staging Area Communications, support, evacuations

Command Post Intra-agency field headquarters

Incident analysis/chronology

Documentation/investigation

Deployment of personnel/equipment

5. Ensure CHEMPACK emergency plan, listing storage sites readily available as

needed to support operations.

NOTE: MDO-OEM will review, update (if necessary) and distribute any changes

to the CHEMPACK emergency plan every two years.

NOTE: If PPD cannot devote transportation resources to CHEMPACK deployment,

alternative options may be used, which include police departments of Temple

University and the University of Pennsylvania. Police Radio will track the

arrival and departure times for theses resources.



D. Located on the top of Hospital CHEMPACK containers are the following documents:

1. One set of activation instructions

2. One custody transfer form

3. One set of CHEMPACK delivery route instructions.

a. Each box of materials within all Philadelphia CHEMPACK hospital containers

are labeled with the name and address of the hospital that has been pre-assigned

to receive those materials.

E. The Transporting Officer will:

1. Obtain one Custody Transfer Form for hospital CHEMPACK container(s) and if

necessary one Custody Transfer Form for the EMS CHEMPACK container(s).

Forms will be available on location at designated pick-up site.

a. Officers and personnel at the CHEMPACK site will both verify the quantity of

material being transported and sign the Custody Transfer Form.

b. Storage hospital personnel will complete and sign section 1 of the form.

c. The transporting officer will complete and sign section 2 of the form.

d. Give the pick-up site personnel the pink copy of the form.

2. Pick up the boxes of CHEMPACK supplies labeled for other hospitals.

3. Deliver those hospitals CHEMPACK supplies to hospital indicated on each box

using the route provided.

4. If applicable deliver the EMS CHEMPACK supplies to the location directed by the

FCC.

5. Officers and personnel at the receiving site will both verify the quantity of material

being received and sign the Custody Transfer Form.

a. Receiving hospital personnel and/or the EMS responder will complete and sign

section 3 of the form.

b. The transporting officer will give the final receiving site personnel the yellow

copy of the form.

6. Release the CHEMPACK supplies to the hospital staff and/or EMS responder.

7. Retain the white copy of the Custody Transfer Form.


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5. RECOVERY PROCEDURES

B. The PPD will return any undelivered CHEMPACK supplies to the originating

CHEMPACK storage site.

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BY COMMAND OF THE POLICE COMMISSIONER

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philadelphia police department directive 45. ensure department emergency plans are readily available...

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