Haz Mat Rescue at Meth Lab scenes

[codeblue81]

We have somewhat of a problem in my area. We have seen a huge jump in Meth Labs the last 2 years and are unprepared to deal with them. As of right now (and for the foreseeable future) have no Haz Mat rescue resources available. Due to this care my supervisor has decided to look into EMS performing Rescue of personnel at Meth Lab raids. The effort woul be conducted with Class B protection and FD performing a rude form of decon. Noone else in the county wants to do the job so it's being forced onto us.

Does anyone have any ideas about training or equipment that could at least make this process safer?

code_blue81

[RyanEMVFD]

Only thing I can think of is some more advanced haz-mat training. I know some places the bomb squad does the initial recon of meth labs since most meth lab operators will have some sort of booby trap installed.

Over at the foops site there is a powerpoint presentation that I did awhile back. While it won't exactly cover the situation you are in, it should at least educate some people on what to expect and look for.

[skyraider]

CodeBlue...check out this article; it may have some info that may help you or send you in the right direction. http://www.nfrmag.com/May-June/Meth%20Labs.asp. Let me know if it's useful. Also...may want to post in the HazMat section for those gurus who may not venture into the EMS section.

[Spectre08]

if you want some good advice call the Jacksonville, Ar, or Cabot, Ar, fire departments and ask. They have a HUGE meth problem up there, and run meth lab calls daily.

My friend is a hazmat specialist for Jacksonville, but he's in Iraq right now cleaning up the chemical weapons the media says don't exist.

[Firescueguy]

Jeremy, didn't you recently post an inquiry about turn-out gear for EMS at accident scenes...after which you posted that the company/service you worked for backed off the idea due to cost??? NOW they are willing to spend money for Level B suits, SCBA's and all the advanced haz-mat training that you need to even consider doing this operation???? :confused: :rolleyes:

Not trying to pick on you brother...I'm just amazed..your service provider won't provide protective clothing for "everyday" occurences but will spend an exorbitant amount of $$$ to buy this stuff that they probably shouldn't have in the first place. I would not be willing to take on this task especially if it's being "dumped" on your agency 'cause nobody else wants it. You have no haz-mat response resources be it the local FD or a regional response team??? This is NOT a situation you want to be getting involved in...the SWAT guys wear SCBA & Level B suits when they raid the place so you know it's a BAD place to be.... :eek:

My other concern beyond the fact that your employer will probably buy the cheapest SH&* they can find as PPE is manpower...it sounds like you come from an area with minimal manpower so if you become the "rescuer" in the haz-mat gear, who is gonna treat the pt. after they are "kinda deconned" by the local FD who doesn't want to do the haz-mat response??? Sounds like it wouldn't be too long until your supervisor would be like "uhhh, we're kinda short staffed...you're gonna hafta transport"...WHAT... :eek: :eek: ...me,the guy who is contaminated & needs to be deconned by the FD..the same one that doesn't want to handle haz-mat???!!! oh and what if you or your partner
goes down...do you think they will REALLY have any back-up available to rescue you???!!!

This just sounds to me like a BAD situation all around...I realize SOMEBODY has to do it but it sounds like EMS is taking on this role because no one else wants to...and that would bother me...they'll stick you in a level B suit & some recycled Russian rebreather they bought off E-Bay, you'll get hurt from all that SH&* you'll breathe in & then when another agency realizes they can get grants to buy their super duper rescue truck 'cause they need it for "haz-mat", you'll get the rug pulled out from under you with no support for the injuries you may have received doing these "rescues"...

I realize you're in a tough spot but it sounds like the powers that be in your area need to sit down & come up with a REALISTIC response plan...and if they can't, well leave the poor bast@#$ in there 'cause he's probably got
scrambled eggs on the brain anyway from inhaling all that stuff.

Just my 2 cents...Stay Safe...and outta meth labs... ;)