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BIOTERRORISM:  Identifying and Handling Suspicious Letters and Packages, and Myth versus Reality

Presenters:

Length of program:            120 minutes

Target Audience:

Includes businesses, churches, hospitals, universities, law enforcement, citizens, and wherever mail is received, sorted, delivered and opened.

Program Description:

In this new reality that we have all been forced to live in, there are issues related to domestic and professional safety that we have traditionally not been concerned about and are reluctant to admit.  Mundane “chores” that we accomplish everyday without much thought are fast becoming scripted processes that are reviewed by workers, management and law enforcement to enhance safety for all.  One such practice is the sorting and handling of mail.  Under the specter of unknown biological dangers that can attack us from an innocent looking piece of mail, individuals and groups are asking, How can I remain safe when handling and opening mail? 

Content for the program will include:  

1. Be aware of the complete process

    

   • What is coming and why?

   • Central mail receiving/delivery VS decentralized

   • Multiple sources (US Postal Service, commercial carriers

   • Identify those handling and distributing the mail and be familiar with the process

   • Identify and manage problems early

2. Support the support staff  

   • Identify those receiving the mail

   • Provide information, training and equipment (suspicious VS imperfect)

   • Develop a new philosophy based on new reality, not fear

   • What to do when things go wrong (critical incident drills)

   • Safety is everyone’s responsibility

3. What do we do now?  

   • Risk management (containing the threat)

   • Get that license number (record important information)

   • Securing the site

   • Gather the “family” (information, instruction for the prevention of panic)

   • Call in the authorities

4. What to and what not to expect from law enforcement and emergency responders  

   • You only call me when you’re in trouble (initiate early meetings)

   • Avoid disappointment, know what to expect

   • The interview

   • The assessment

   • The Verdict

a)     We are on our way

b)     These are your options

• Are we OK?  (health options)

• Living, working or not working with disruption

• Getting back to normal  (assessing the emotional damage)

• Continuing with the abnormal  (this could happen again)

5. Bioterrorism: Myth versus Reality  

   • History of bioterrorism

   • Concept of bioterrorism for lay citizens and medical, emergency and law enforcement personnel.

6. The risk bioterrorism has on individuals

• How to think about bioterrorism.

• How to deal with the bioterrorism.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to:  

• Examine and understand the process from the very beginning to normal and abnormal outcomes.

• Prevent panic through education and planning.

• Establish realistic expectations for those on site and responders.

• Identify problems early and contain them.

• Learning to function within a new and less secure environment.

• Understand the history of bioterrorism and biowarfare.

• Define biological warfare.

• Give a description of various biothreat agents.

• Understand the anthrax situation if Florida, New York & Washington DC.

• Explain how our citizens must become part of the surveillance network.

• Define what staff and citizens can do.

Register now for our next scheduled course!

Occupational Health Solutions ensures your employees are trained in full compliance with OSHA and other applicable regulatory requirements.