NCJ Number
191687
Date Published
1996
Length
114 pages
Annotation
This document evaluates the state of preparedness of Montgomery County, Maryland's fire service and recommends ways it could improve its capacity.
Abstract
The fire service in Montgomery County, Md., had not been evaluated to determine how well it could manage life-threatening consequences of terrorism involving a chemical agent. A potential target of terrorism could be the Washington, D.C., area's subway system. A survey was developed and sent to 94 fire departments (and Montgomery County), 45 of whom responded, to see how well prepared fire departments were in the United States. The survey had limitations, including respondents who were of different ranks. How prepared is the fire service to manage consequences of chemical agent attacks? The hazardous response team has recently purchased some prevention and detection capabilities and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Its officers attended a chemical/biological countermeasure course. How well does the county's fire service compare with other departments in the country? Fourteen of the 49 responding fire departments said they had a general plan to manage terrorist incidents involving chemical warfare agents. Seventeen fire departments, each serving populations of 500,000 or more, including Montgomery County, did not have a general plan. The survey results suggest Montgomery County is lacking sufficient planning and equipment to handle attacks of chemical agents. Steps to gain more knowledge on chemical agent issues have only just begun. Recommendations for departments that have yet to develop a management plan include: develop and deliver awareness training programs for emergency responders; prepare and deliver a chemical agent operations course for hazardous incident teams; and explore the feasibility of using different decontamination equipment, such as a pumper's tank of water or a hand-held car-washing brush with a garden hose attached. References. Appendices with lists of acronyms, chemical agents, definitions, comments on lessons learned, and personal protective clothing