Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2004
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The London Free Press a division of Sun Media Corporation.
Contact:  http://www.lfpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Laura Cudworth

FIREFIGHTERS TUTORED ON METH LAB DANGERS

One In Four Meth Labs Blows Up, So The OPP Is Training Firefighters How To 
Stay Safe.

STRATFORD -- Firefighters and road crews are being schooled by the OPP on 
handling the growing dangers lurking within illegal drug labs springing up 
in Perth County. In the past two years, 10 methamphetamine labs have been 
found in Perth.

The labs rely on a dangerous mix of substances, including propane and 
ammonia, to manufacture the street drug, commonly known as speed.

To fight the danger, the OPP's Western Region drug enforcement section has 
held information sessions for fire and road crews to teach them what to 
look for.

In mid-December, road crews in Perth East attended a session after the 
manager of public works and parks, Glenn Schwendinger, requested it.

"We wanted to make sure our guys know what to look out for so they're 
safe," he said.

Discarded propane tanks that haul anhydrous ammonia, used to make the drug, 
have been found in rural areas, said Perth OPP Const. Glen Childerley.

If the valve on a tank has turned blue, it's a sign the tank has been used 
as a container for ammonia.

"If the valve is blue, it could be explosive," Childerley said. The 
chemicals are volatile and so are the fumes, he said.

"We've actually encountered some of the materials, so the training has 
definitely paid off," Schwendinger said.

Perth firefighters have attended information sessions held around the county.

Last week, Milverton firefighters battled a fire now being investigated as 
a meth lab.

Statistics compiled in the U.S. suggests one in four meth labs blows up.

Shakespeare station Chief Gerry Witzel organized a training session with 
firefighters from Shakespeare, Sebringville, Milverton and Tavistock. 
Witzel is considering holding a refresher session once a year, much like 
those used for CPR training.

"It's the little things to watch for and be observant of before you go 
running into a fire, because nowadays you never know what you're running 
into. (Meth labs) are popping up all over the place."

Before the training, it wasn't something he thought about often, but now 
he's more vigilant, he said. Besides explosions, the chemicals in meth labs 
can cause injury if skin is exposed to them.

"Once you know what's out there and what the possibilities are if things go 
wrong, it's a little scary," he said.

Speed operations aren't just a problem in rural areas. Two have been found 
in Stratford -- one of which blew up.

Some Stratford firefighters have taken training and Stratford fire Chief 
Jim Clements said the department has requested training from Stratford police.

"(Training) can be extremely important. The situation can be volatile and 
certainly life-threatening."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman