G-CLAN Clandestine Drug Labs Part 2

Notification of and Support to Police Services

• Police are responsible for clan lab investigations, seizures, and arrests, and should be requested immediately if not already on the scene.
• TPS (Technical Protective Services) should enter the scene with air monitoring equipment, appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and a chemist, after securing the area and checking for booby traps.

TFS Apparatus and Personnel Support

• TFS (Toronto Fire Services) apparatus and personnel support may include:
  • District Chief to liaise with the Police Site Safety Officer
  • Heavy Hazardous Materials Unit for substance identification
  • Closest Pumper class apparatus
  • Decon 234 for Police and/or Fire decontamination
  • A Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) trained for fire/rescue

TFS incident Commander Role

• The TFS Incident Commander at the scene of a clan lab should remain in contact with the on-scene TPS lead investigator.

TFS Support to Police

• TFS shall provide support to Police personnel and other agencies, when requested, at sites of clan labs, which may include:
  • Providing research and information on suspected or known chemicals in the laboratory
  • Remote exterior air monitoring
  • Mitigation of hazardous chemicals
  • Protection for fire/explosion hazards
  • Decontamination of any entry personnel

Clan Lab Conditions

• If conditions such as rescue of persons or fire suppression are non-existent, TFS personnel should leave the clan lab area and stand-by at a safe evacuation distance of 50 m - 100 m.
• The clan lab should be treated as a crime scene under the authority of the Police services.

Police Contact and TFS Support

• Police have been instructed to make contact for clan lab take-downs through the TFS Special Operations Section.
• The level of TFS support is the same for each policing agency.

Fire Prevention Division Notification

• The Fire Prevention Division should be notified of TFS support for pre-planned Police operations at clan labs.

Safe Entry

• TFS personnel should not participate in any Police Services operational entry into an unsecured laboratory.
• TFS personnel may make entry into a secured area for fire suppression or hazardous material related tasks when deemed safe to do so.

Exposure

• TFS personnel showing any signs or symptoms of chemical exposure during or after any incident involving a clan lab should be treated and transported to a hospital for assessment.
• Exposed and potentially exposed personnel should complete the appropriate TFS exposure reporting forms and submit them for signature to Supervising Officers and forwarding to the appropriate Divisions.