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Good morning!

Good morning!. Dealing with suspect mail. Mark Bowes, Safety Programs Coordinator. Effective 9/11/2001. Life has changed Forever. Introduction. How did we get here? Background of Anthrax. The Threat. What are our chances of becoming a target? How to prepare. Introduction.

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Good morning!

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  1. Good morning!

  2. Dealing with suspect mail Mark Bowes, Safety Programs Coordinator

  3. Effective 9/11/2001 Life has changed Forever.

  4. Introduction • How did we get here? • Background of Anthrax. • The Threat. • What are our chances of becoming a target? • How to prepare.

  5. Introduction • What to do if you find something suspicious. • What is the process if something is found? • What should I do next?

  6. Health Department says - • History of Anthrax as a naturally occurring disease and as a weapon. • Two types – Naturally occurring and man-made. • How does anthrax infect us?

  7. Health Department says - • How do we test for Anthrax? • How do we treat exposures? • What is being done to improve our response capability to these biological threats?

  8. The Threat • As of today there have been no biological agents identified in Washington state. • Not a single spore of Anthrax or human case of anthrax. • Our overall threat is extremely low to a terrorist attack in Jefferson County.

  9. The Threat • Remember – there are 280 MILLION people in this country. • We may see copycats and hoaxes. • We live in an information age, sometimes we get too much information to process emotionally in a short period of time.

  10. What are my chances of becoming a target? • Are you a national figure? • Do you work for a national figure? • Do I work in a building for such a person?

  11. What are my chances of becoming a target? • Do I handle the mail for such a person? • Do you work in a Postal service distribution center? • Do I work in a building that is a national symbol?

  12. How do I prepare? • Be open to changes. • The mail should be inspected before it enters your building. • Clear the area where mail is inspected. • Cover the work surface with a disposable cover.

  13. How do I prepare? • Each person inspecting the mail should be wearing vinyl or Nitrile, powder less gloves, optional will be - N-95 or N-100 mask, and shoe covers. • The mail should be examined for outer signs of contamination.

  14. What am I looking for? • Let’s go over the handout.

  15. How do I prepare? • The mail should be opened and examined for powder. • If nothing is found distribute the mail.

  16. What do I do if I find something? • If anything seems suspicious it should be double bagged immediately. • Place the bagged material on a flat surface. • Write down the return address, the postmark, city and date.

  17. What do I do if I find something? • Do not shake or empty the contents or sniff, touch or taste the contents.. • Do not carry the envelope, show it to others or allow others to see it.

  18. What’s next? • Leave the room and close the door. • Remove protective shoe covers, mask and gloves just outside the door. • Anyone who touched the items should wash their hands.

  19. What’s next? • Avoid contact with those not exposed. • Go to your designated evacuation point and keep everyone together Leave the room and close the door. • Evacuate all persons in the immediate area.

  20. What’s next? • Keep everyone together. Make a list of everyone in the room. • Close the air handling system. • Have someone call 9-1-1.

  21. Call 9-1-1 • Describe the item and where it is. • What made you suspicious about the item? • What did you do to isolate the item? • How many people have come into contact with the item? • Has the area been evacuated?

  22. Call 9-1-1 • Where are those people right now? • Does anyone have anything on their clothing or person? • Does anyone appear ill? • What number can you be reached at. • Where are you at in the building right now?

  23. What happens now? • Law enforcement will arrive. • They will ask questions. • They will call in needed resources to meet the threat. • The item will be removed. • You will be given instructions on what to do next.

  24. What should I do? • You will be informed of the results of the investigation. • If the item tests positive you will be told where to go for more information and treatment.

  25. REMEMBER: • Being exposed does not automatically mean contamination! • Being contaminated does not mean you have contracted anything! It only means that you have been exposed. • Your chances of winning the Washington's State Lotto are greater than contracting Anthrax at this time, provided you buy a ticket.

  26. We must adapt our thinking • Change to meet the times - • Don’t live in fear - • Be prepared - • Have a plan -

  27. Responding to a threat • Have a plan! • Act on that plan! • Follow the plan! • Communicate as directed in the Plan!

  28. Thank You! Be safe and live your life every Day! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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