Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures (TTPs)
General Remediation Procedures

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SUGGESTED REMEDIATION OPERATIONS

Remediation operations have a lasting impact on the people that must re-enter the building after it has been cleaned. Instilling confidence that the threat is neutralized is just one part of the remediation process. EnviroFoam Technologies has developed suggested Techniques, Tactics and Procedures (TTP), for the professional remediator to use when faced with a potential chemical or biological hazard. These suggested procedures were used during operations to remediate Senate and House office buildings infected by anthrax spores.

GENERAL

Although bio terrorism is the threat the United States is currently facing, we cannot ignore that the chemical threat exists and could just as easily be employed. A chemical incident will have different repercussions and possibly a far worse outcome. The spreading of chemical agents moves much faster than biological agents. Regardless of the fact that biological contamination is far more persistent, chemical contamination possesses the advantage of affecting humans and infrastructure with a rapid lethality.

Purpose: To establish a set of procedures, practices and guidelines for remediation operations following a chemical or biological incident in a specific location.

Objectives:

• To ensure all personnel have a clear and concise understanding of the magnitude of remediation.
• Provide a consistent checklist of procedures that follow a common sense approach, forbidding the spread of any contamination.
• Maximize resources and personnel to effectively neutralize any suspected contamination.

Responsibility: These procedures establish certain responsibilities for sampling teams, contact teams and remediation teams throughout the remediation process. This document not only focuses on operational guidelines, but includes safety procedures ensuring the well being of all individuals involved.

OVERVIEW OF REMEDIATION OPERATIONS

Specific areas suspected of contamination require different types of remediation and logistical support. Each suspected area or setting along with the potential for a variety of agents must be addressed on an individual basis.

The art of remediation is a team effort involving several agencies and personnel. The personnel involved are trained in the protection, containment and decontamination of chemical and biological hazards.

The threat of spreading the contamination is real and at the forefront of every operation. To kill the hazard, the hazard must first be identified, contained and then eliminated.

NON-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES IN REMEDIATION

Notification: Upon notification of suspected contamination evacuation plans are put into effect. Personnel in and around the area are centralized and segregated immediately. A perimeter of no less than 100 feet is placed around the suspected area or building.

Medical Support: Humans suspected of exposure are examined by qualified medical personnel. The medical staff, along with supporting agencies, makes the determination for the disposition of each patient.

Traffic to and from the perimeter of the suspected site is controlled. Access is denied to all unprotected humans. Upon completion of all control measures, qualified authorities will determine the best course of action.

Sampling detections operations are the first step in the remediation process. We must know without a doubt what it is we are battling against. Furthermore, we must know where it is and the extent of the contamination.

NON-SPECIFIC REMEDIATION OPERATIONS (PLANNING)

In planning the remediation effort, certain key elements exist that when overlooked, will hamper any operation. Communication between agencies is vital. The sharing of real time information is critical to the success of the remediation efforts. Cooperation is the key to effectively planning, executing and evaluating the operation.

In any office setting there are several factors that must be considered prior to implementing any type of remediation process. Some of these factors lend themselves to common sense, while others can quickly evade even the most thought out plan. Factors to consider, but are not limited to are:

• Square footage of the suspected contamination. This includes any and all adjacent rooms not sealed off from the prime suspected room.
• Updated blue prints of the suspected area with perimeter marking to identify the contaminated area.
• Specific equipment such as mail sorters, strapping machines, computers and printers will play a major role in the remediation process. Other items to consider are storage areas, restrooms, cubicles, ceiling height overhanging pipes, electrical conduit and windows must be factored in during the planning process.
• Then there is the furniture, pictures, antiques, artifacts, personal keepsakes that must be remediated, yet preserved if at all possible.
• Lastly and not to be overlooked, is the documentation and historical records.

These kinds of obstacles were in front of EFT personnel prior to entering the contaminated area or “Hot Zone”. With the assistance of all agencies involved, these obstacles were breeched and from it all, a set of procedures evolved.

In all planning, intelligence is the back bone of the operation. Knowing what you are up against is half the battle. The intelligence sought must be real time and as detailed as possible. If the information is vague or not substantiated, the execution phase is sure to be hampered. “Hot spots” or sampling areas known to have produced a positive reading are critical to the remediation process. A list of all agencies involved and there respective area of responsibility is critical. Knowing who is supporting the effort and in what manner, will aid in the speedy remediation of the suspected site.

All of the logistical support plays a vital role in the success of the operation. Once the intelligence has been confirmed it is now time to make the plan. The plan must include at a minimum:

• The amount and type of EasyDECON™ solution for use is dependent upon the area perimeter and the contamination. This also includes all of the obstacles mentioned above. To remediate everything in the office, everything must be considered.
• Support equipment such as personal protective equipment (ppe), site decontamination equipment for personnel and clean up equipment must be well thought out and implemented into the overall plan.
• Another key element is the support from other on site agencies. Sub contractors play a vital role in the preparation and execution of the remediation.

NON-SPECIFIC REMEDIATION OPERATIONS (PRE-EXECUTION)

Prior to entering the contaminated area or “Hot Zone” a thorough reconnaissance of the suspected area must be completed by the actual remediation team. The recon team will establish the requirements for remediation by identifying key obstacles that must be removed or altered prior to the application of the actual decon solution.

A team is then sent in to prepare the room for remediation. Their sole objective is to remove all items that are not crucial for the suspected area. The team must ensure that the team applying the foam can enter the area unobstructed, apply the foam without having to rearrange the area during the process, and exit the area quickly. The preparation team will perform the bulk of the work load. It will take time to prepare the area for remediation. The more time spent in the preparation will pay large dividends during the foam application and clean up.

NON-SPECIFIC REMEDIATION OPERATIONS (EXECUTION)

The EasyDECON™ foam solution is applied to all areas designated by the operations plan. This could include an entire room from the ceiling to the floor, or just one specific area having EasyDECON™ foam applied. Once the foam is applied, the area is sealed off and the area is to remain undisturbed for 60 – 90 minutes.

NON-SPECIFIC REMEDIATION OPERATIONS (POST-EXECUTION)

Once the required time has past, a clean up team is sent in with the required equipment to complete the remediation process. Equipment should include but is not limited to:

• Concentrated anti foam in garden insecticide sprayers.
• Wet/Dry Vacuum cleaners.
• HEPPA filtered vacuums
• Sponge mops.
• Sponges and paper towels.
• Pails and buckets
• 55 gallon drums (palletized) for hazardous waste.

The clean up team will evacuate the area of all residual residue. All furniture, desk tops, walls and equipment will be wiped clean with clean water and anti-foam solution. Anti foam solution will be applied to all floors, carpets, drapes, curtains and upholstery. Wet/Dry vacuum cleaners will remove the foam residue from these surfaces.

Once the clean up team is finished with this part of the operation a reconnaissance team is sent back in to inspect the final outcome of the clean up. Once the clean up process is complete, routes and entrances to the Hot Zone must be remediated in the same manner as the primary area.

NON-SPECIFIC REMEDIATION OPERATIONS (SAMPLING)

Agencies tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the contaminated area is remediated will move in and conduct sampling operation in accordance with their sampling plan. Once the area has been cleared, restoration and re-supply of the area can begin.

These procedures outlined in this document were used in two separate incidents at the Senate and House of Representatives offices with 100% success. The offices and equipment were restored to their original operating capacity. Degradation of the interior was minimal and clean up was quick and effortless.