Guidelines for Police or Fire Personnel Picking up Suspicious Packages and/or Letters

What to do with a suspicious letter or package

There have been numerous requests for Law Enforcement and Fire Departments for information and for assistance in picking up suspicious packages or letters. Most unopened packages or Letters are safe to handle as they have already been handled extensively by the postal system prior to your arrival on the scene. There has been a lot of panic among the population due to lack of adequate information. There may be instances in which you may be assigned to pick up a package or letter. Please use your training to take charge of these situations and put them in their proper perspective. There are three (3) basic types of situations that you might be called upon to address, They are:

1. Unopened Package or Letter

2. Opened Package or Letter With a Substance Inside

3. Suspicious Package or Letter With a Contraption Inside

Unopened Package or Letter

· Use common sense!

· Do not open the package.

· Throw it away with the regular household garbage, or;

· If you feel that the package or letter is of sufficient suspicion and merits a thorough investigation by the appropriate agency;

o Put on some hand protection such as rubber gloves and a particle mask like the ones you have seen surgeons wear.

o Carefully put the letter or package in an appropriate sized plastic bag (like a zip-lock bag or evidence bag),

o Seal the bag,

o Place the sealed bag inside of a second bag and seal that one too.

o Place the properly sealed package in the trunk of your vehicle or in an appropriate container inside of your vehicle.

o Remove your mask and gloves and dispose of them properly.

o Wash your hands with soap and water.

o Call your contact number to find the location that you need to transport the package to..

· If you feel ill

o Get some fresh air

o Call Fire-Rescue

Opened Package or Letter With a Substance Inside

If you respond to an incident in which someone inadvertently opened a suspicious letter or package containing a substance such as a dust, powder, cream or liquid, you may do the following things.

· Be careful not to breathe or touch the substance.

· Leave the letter or package where it is and exit the room.

· Close the door to the room.

· Wash your hands with soap, water and a little squirt of bleach.

· If you inhaled the substance, blow your nose and save the tissue in a plastic bag.

· If you get the substance on your clothing, change your clothes and bag the used clothing in a plastic bag.

· Call the appropriate agency (Fire Rescue, Haz-Mat, Safety Officer etc… or refer to your protocols for this type of scenario).

o Wait for assistance

· If you feel ill

o Get some fresh air

o Call Fire-Rescue

 

Suspicious Package or Letter With a Contraption Inside

If you receive and inadvertently open a suspicious letter or package and find a contraption and/or wires, batteries etc. Do the following;

· Leave the letter or package where it is and exit the room.

· Close the door to the room.

· Evacuate the area.

· Call the bomb squad and/or Fire Rescue

· Call FBI and the Postal authorities.

o Wait for assistance

· If you feel ill

o Get some fresh air

o Call Fire-Rescue

 

(text only version)