INTRODUCTION

Recent transmission of Anthrax via letters delivered by the U.S. Postal Service pose serious security problems to all of us. Unknown persons have sent the spores to various locations since early Mid September 2001. The Public Safety Department is providing this as a handout to help you familiarize yourself with what a suspicious package looks like and what to do if you receive such a package. It also briefly explains the steps you should follow in the event you feel you've been exposed to a biological release.

EMERGENCY PLANNING - HOW TO HANDLE A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

Do not excessively handle or open a suspicious package

Immediately segregate it in an unused room or space

Attempt to verify the sender and/or the legitimacy of the package (i.e. ask the recipient if he/she was expecting a package that matches the suspect package's size and shape.)

If the letter or parcel remains suspect, call the Public Safety Department at extension 6911. We will notify the Police and Health Department if necessary. Both agencies have a protocol on how to handle suspicious packages.

CONTAINMENT

If suspected material is released, people who have been impacted or potentially impacted should leave the immediate area and go to an adjacent controlled area. Minimize activities until the appropriate response staff arrives - If absolutely necessary, move the impacted individuals into the nearest bathroom on the floor

Non–impacted people on the floor should evacuate and await instructions from the response team

HVAC systems (heating and ventilation system) for impacted and adjacent areas and for bathrooms should be turned off

Isolate the impacted areas (e.g. shut doors as you exit) and do not allow any unprotected personnel into the impacted area

Do not throw any suspect material away - throw a towel over and retain all impacted material for the response team

SOME TYPICAL SUSPICIOUS LETTER AND PACKAGE INDICATORS

DELIVERY:

Foreign Mail, Air Mail and Special Delivery

Packages or letters hand delivered or dropped off for a friend

ORIGIN:

Postmark or name of sender is unusual, unknown or no return address is given

POSTAGE:

Excess postage on small packages or letters indicates that the object was not weighed by the Post Office

No postage or non-canceled postage

BALANCE:

The letter is lopsided or unusually thick or rigid

Inspect for lumps, bulges, or protrusions, without applying pressure

POSTMARKS:

Postmarks are different from return address

ADDRESSES:

Hand Written or poorly typed addresses

No return address or nonsensical return address

PACKING:

Excessive securing material such as masking, strapping or electrical tape, string, etc. (packages wrapped in string are automatically suspicious, as modern packaging materials have eliminated the need for twine or string)

TITLES:

Incorrect titles (Mr. When it should read Ms., etc.)

SPELLING:

Misspelling of common words

LOOK FOR:

Protruding Wires, screws, or tinfoil or Oily Stains or Discolorations

Any foreign writing, addresses, or postage
Distractions used such as labels that state Fragile, Rush, Handle With Care

Handwritten notes, such as: "TO BE OPENED IN THE PRIVACY OF", "CARE OF", "CONFIDENTIAL", "YOUR LUCKY DAY IS HERE", "PRIZE ENCLOSED", etc.

Any letters or packages arriving before or after a phone call from an unknown person asking if the item was delivered