NCJ Number
191287
Date Published
November 1999
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This document provides guidelines for on-scene commanders in responding to biological/chemical threats.
Abstract
The general incident objectives for responding to known or unknown potential biological threats are to: remove people from harm’s way; assess the situation; be cognizant of secondary devices; secure the perimeter; control and identify agents involved; rescue, triage, treat, and transport victims; stabilize the incident; avoid additional contamination; and secure evidence and treat as a crime scene. In assessing the situation, commanders should consider evacuating persons to minimize potential exposure, number of apparent victims, weather conditions, plume direction, types of injuries and symptoms presented, information from witnesses, exact location of incident, nature of agent and type of exposure, a safe access route and staging area, and isolating the area and denying entry. The types of biological agents are bacteria (anthrax, plague), virus (smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fevers), and toxins (ricin, botulism). Bacteria and virus types are living organisms and can enter the body via inhalation, ingestion, or breaks in skin. They grow and reproduce and can be contagious and cause an epidemic. Toxins are not living organisms and can enter the body the same as pathogens but are not contagious. General incident objectives of responding to known or unknown potential chemical threats are the same as biological threats. The types of chemical agents are nerve agents, blister agents, blood agents, choking agents, and irritating agents. The five classes of chemical threat agents all may produce incapacitation, serious injury, and/or death. Four scenarios are presented for on-scene assessment. Glossary