Tactical test prep BDS Response at 2323 Citygate Dr.

a system in place on mail sorting equipment to detect the presence of harmful contaminants, currently anthrax

BDS-Biological Detection System

The organizational system used by the Postal Service in responding to emergencies within their facilities

USPS PEMS- Postal Emergency Management System.

Mail Processing and Distribution Facility

P&DF

Building located at the rear of the Processing and Distribution Facility that will serve as the on-site decontamination area

VMF-Vehicle Maintenance Facility

The United States Postal Facility at 2323 Citygate Dr. has installed a Biological Detection System (BDS). This system alarms once

it has detected the possible presence of a biological agent in its mail sorter.

When the system alarms, postal procedures call for notification and response from

-Columbus Fire
-Police
-Health Departments

The postal facility will be

-Secured
-Partially evacuated
-Employees will be sheltered in certain areas to be tracked, decontaminated, and processed

CFD will be

initial command agency for this response until the site is handed off to United States Postal Inspectors

Pre-planning and use of the unified command system with

-postal inspectors
-Columbus Police
-Columbus Health
is critical for an effective response

Per postal SOPs, for a BDS alarm their personnel will notify Columbus Fire that

a Biological Detection System alarm has been received at the postal facility at 2323 Citygate Dr.

What phone call s will be made by postal officials to verify that the correct information has been received and dispatched

-Columbus Fire Station 4
-Columbus Fire ES-2
-Columbus Fire Battalion 6
-Columbus Fire HazMat 1

Upon receipt of a Biological Detection System alarm, the FAO shall announce the alarm by stating

We have a Biological Detection Alarm at 2323 Citygate Dr.

what equipment will be dispatched,

-1 engine
-1 ladder
-1 medic
-1 battalion chief
-HazMat 4 (engine, medic, rescue, HazMat, and decon)
-SO2

what appropriate agencies and personnel will be contacted

-Columbus Police
-Columbus Health Department
-Columbus Fire Public Information Officer
-Franklin County Emergency Management Agency
-Put out a page to the "bomb squad group"
Regular communication procedures shall be used

Arrival of the engine

-Establish "command" if not already established
-Enter by the North Gate and report to the Vehicle Maintenance Facility, (VMF) in the rear to coordinate decontamination activities
-Establish the "VMF Division" and maintain radio contact with command

Arrival of the Ladder

-Establish command post located at the main entrance on the Southeast side of building
-Contact USPS PEMS to verify type of alarm and ascertain if any special needs are required
-Report to VMF division to assist with decontamination activities once reliev

Arrival of the Battalion Chief

-Establish a command post located at the main entrance on the Southeast side of building if not already done
-Contact USPS PEMS to verify type of alarm and ascertain if any special needs are required. Establish "unified command" with USPS PEMS and CPD on

Arrival of the Medic

-Report to incident commander
-Be prepared to establish triage or treatment areas, if needed

Arrival of HazMat 4

-Brief with the IC
-Establish the HazMat branch location in the rear "truck yard"
-Determine the HazMat branch location in the rear "truck yard"
-Determine the HazMat branch position and send sheet info to IC
-Verify that Columbus Health and Franklin Coun

Arrival of SO2

-Brief with the IC
-Perform standard safety activities

Arrival of the Division PIO

-Brief with the IC
-Brief with postal officials and CPD's PIO to verify statements to be made to the media
-Hold media briefing as soon as possible

Termination of fire Division Incident Command

-Columbus Division of Fire will remain in-charge of this incident until the United States Postal Inspectors have made entry
-Retrieved the test canister for testing by the Ohio Department of Health, and have accepted control of the building