Pubdate: Tue, 15 May 2007 Source: Fairview Post (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Fairview Post Contact: http://www.fairviewpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3369 Author: Chris Zwick FIRST RESPONDERS GET DRUG LESSON Firefighters rush to fires, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) rush to medical emergencies, and police rush to the scene of a crime. They are always the first to respond. But what if the fire was started in a drug lab? What if it was a drug dealer who had the heart attack? And what if the scene of the crime is booby-trapped? These are all scenarios that retired drug enforcement officer Steve Walton wants our area first responders to take to heart. He spoke to firefighters, EMTs, and local police on what to expect in those situations last Tuesday in Hines Creek and Thursday in Fairview. As a member of the Calgary Police Service, Walton was personally involved in 900 clandestine (hidden) drug lab investigations including 300 marijuana grow operations. "There are many first responders who may find themselves in harm's way without knowing it," said Walton. Marijuana grow operations are considered less criminal by some, but that's a fallacy, said Walton, they can be some of the most dangerous situations for first responders. They are just as likely to encounter criminals with firearms in a marijuana grow operation and must also consider poorly done electrical bypasses, booby-traps, and toxic vapours. One of the most disturbing trends in recent years is the prevalence of methamphetamine manufacturing labs. They are booby-traps in and of themselves, said Walton, with a dangerous mix of chemicals floating through the air that could be ignited at any moment. "I knew most of the basics," said Fairview volunteer firefighter, Lionel Marier, "but there were a few surprises and a few good hints." Understanding the environment is key, Walton told the first responders. Firefighters should have their hazardous material suits and be prepared to deal with a metal fire, which cannot be extinguished with water. EMTs should be prepared to treat chemical burns and deal with pulmonary distress. And police should be prepared to deal with meth addicts who can often be violently delirious with a high resistance to pain. Meth labs have been popping up around the province at unprecedentedly high rates, partly because of the drug's low cost, addictive qualities, and long-lasting effects. But it's also partly because of the availability of the chemicals used to manufacture the drug, said Walton. To date, the United States bans or controls 144 precursor chemicals that could be used to manufacture drugs. In contrast, Canada has only banned a handful, said Walton. For instance, and this is of particular concern to agricultural regions, anhydrous ammonia is a chemical that is used by farmers on a very regular basis, but it is also one of the main ingredients in the 'nazi-cold' method of producing meth, which can cut the production time of the drug down from 10 hours to 2 hours. The main thing Walton wanted the first responders to take away from his presentation was a sense that there would be well coordinated cooperation between the three departments if they ever encountered a clandestine lab of any kind in the region. "It's important for you to understand what each other's organizations functions are," Walton told the first responders. "If you are required to take down a clandestine lab in this region, it will be a collaborative effort." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek